In 1853, when the 3 and 4 W. 4, c. 85, was about to expire, the constitution of the Legislative Council was recast by the 16 and 17 V., c. 95, and great changes were made in it. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court became ex-officio a Member of it. One other Judge of the Supreme Court was to be added to it by appointment of the Governor General; and each Presidency became (so to say) represented in it. It is noteworthy that it was during this period that the Indian Penal Code (the most logically perfect piece of Penal Legislation extant) was passed, the Chief Justice Sir Barnes Peacock being Vice-President of, and presiding at the Council. In 1861 the Legislative Constitution underwent another great transformation, under "The Indian Council's Act, 1861" (24 and 25 V., c. 67). The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court ceased to be ex-officio a Member of the Council, and Representative Members (so to call them), not fewer than six, and not more than twelve, of whom half were to be non-official persons, were to be appointed by the Governor General. At the same time Legislative Councils were to be established for the different Presidencies, and have been in existence ever since.
With respect to this Edition, the reader will find Notes to Acts and Sections, indicating subsequent changes and repeals; and I believe the Index will be found more than usually full.
W. THEOBALD.
London, December 24, 1867.
