SERJEANT

(Lat. serviens.) Serjeant-at-law is the highest degree in the common law, and all must proceed through this degree before attaining the dignity of judge. The Court of Common Pleas is open to serjeants only for the purpose of pleading. This exclusive })rivilege was attempted to be taken away in 1834, and for five years the court was thrown open. But after solemn argument, it was decided by the privy council that this enlargement was unwarranted; and the former practice again prevails. Serjeants-at-law are now made by the king's writ, commanding them to take their degree. No precise time seems now nece ary to permit a barrister to become a serjeant. (See Serjeant Manning's learned work, Serviens ad legem.) Serjeant. In the Army, a non-commi ioned officer, both in infantry and cavalry regiments, whose duty it is to form the ranks and to instruct recruits in discipline. On parade they act as fuglemen, in going through the evolutions. The serjeant-major is a non-commi ioned officer, who acts as a istant to the adjutant; but originally he was a field officer, corresponding in rank to the modern major. Colour-serjeants are certain non-commi ioned officers appointed to attend the officers who have charge of the colours of the regiment. SERJEANT, [s. 1117]