Alderman

the name given by the Saxons to the “comes,” or count, who under the Franks had entrusted to him the government of the shire. Aldermen are in most corporations the chief officers after the mayor, and take precedence of the town councillors or burge es, from whom the aldermen are usnally chosen, Their duties and privileges considerably varied in different boroughs before the pa ing of the Municipal Corporation Act, 1835. The number of councillors in each borough varies from twelve to forty-eight. One fourth of the municipal council consists of aldermen and three-fourths of councillors. The Corporation of London was not included in the Municipal Corporation Act, and the old system remains there in full force. In Scotland there is no such title, the officers of corresponding rank being termed * bailies.”. The term alderman has recently acquired a particular significance. By the Local Government Act, 1888, county aldermen hold a very important position in carrying out the administrative busine of each county. [County COUNCILS. } Alderney (Fr. Aurigny; Lat. Riduna), one of the Channel Islands, a dependency of Guernsey, attached to Great Britain since the Conquest, and separated from Cape La Hague by the dangerous Race of Alderney, 7 miles broad. Beyond it lie the Caskets, small outliers of the group. The island is not more than 3 or 4 miles in length, by about 2 miles in breadth. The coast is rocky, but the central] ate abound in excellent pastures, and the breed of cows is famous, The internal government is conducted by a judge and six jurats, a isted by twelve douzeniers. The town of Alderney contains a 12th century church. The island is fortified; but the construction of a breakwater with a view to the establishment of a naval station has been abandoned. Pop. (1901), 2,062.