(The teacher might obtain a deed and base a class exercise upon it.  It is easy with a deed for a text to lead pupils to see the common-sense basis of an important county institution, and thereafter to give very sensible views as to what it should be, even if it is not fully known what it is.)

11.  Is there a local court for your town or city? 12.  How do its cases compare in magnitude with those tried at the county seat?

13.  If a man steals and is prosecuted, who becomes the plaintiff?

14.  If a man owes and is sued for debt, who becomes the plaintiff?

15.  What is a criminal action?

16.  What is a civil action?

17.  What is the result to the defendant in the former case, if he is convicted?

18.  What is the result to the defendant in the latter case, if the decision is against him?

19.  Is lying a crime or a sin?  May it ever become a crime?

20.  Are courts of any service to the vast numbers who are never brought before them?  Why?

21.  May good citizens always keep out of the courts if they choose?  Is it their duty always to keep out of them?

22.  Is there any aversion among people that you know to being brought before the courts?  Why?

23.  What is the purpose of a jail?  Is this purpose realized in fact?

24.  Should a disturbance of a serious nature break out in your town, whose immediate duty would it be to quell it?  Suppose this duty should prove too difficult to perform, then what?

25.  What is the attitude of good citizenship towards officers who are trying to enforce the laws?  What is the attitude of good citizenship if the laws are not satisfactory or if the officers are indiscreet in enforcing them?

26.  Suppose a man of property dies and leaves a will, what troubles are possible about the disposal of his property?  Suppose he leaves no will, what troubles are possible?  Whose duty is it to exercise control over such matters and hold people up to legal and honourable conduct in them?

27.  What is an executor?  What is an administrator?

28.  If parents die, whose duty is it to care for their children?  If property is left to such children, are they free to use it as they please?  What has the county to do with such cases?

29.  How much does your town or city contribute towards county expenses?  How does this amount compare with that raised by other towns in the county?

30.  Give the organization of your county government.

31.  Would it be better for the towns to do themselves the work now done for them by the county?

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BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE.

Section 1.  THE COUNTY IN ITS BEGINNINGS.  This subject is treated in connection with the township in several of the books above mentioned.  See especially Howard, Local Const.  Hist.