CHAMP DE MARS

In French History, the public a emblies of the Franks, which were held in the open air, and annually in the month of March; from whence the name. Under Pepin and some of his succe ors they were termed Champs de Mai. An extensive open space in Paris, appropriated to various public solemnities, is termed the Champ de Mars; a name which seems also intended to recall the ancient Campus Martius, or public field of Rome. CH AMPERT Y. In Law, is a species of maintenance, being a bargain with the plaintiff or defendant in a suit for the " campi partitio," or division of the land or thing in dispute between the party, if he prevails at law, and the cham perter, on the latter's bearing the expense of the suit. It is a punishable offence both by common law and by statute. [s. 225]