Inquiry

WRIT OF. A writ^sued out by a plaintiff in a case where the defendant has let the proceedings go by default, and an interlocutory judgment has been given for damages generally, where the damages do not admit of calculation. It issues to the sheriff of the county in which the venue is laid, and commands him to inquire, by a jury of twelve men, concerning the amount of damages. The sheriff thereupon tries the cause in his sheriff’s court, and some amount must always be returned to the court. But the return of the Inquest merely Informs the court, which may, if it choose, in all cases assess damages and thereupon give final judgment.

2 Archb. Pr., Waterman ed. 952; 3 Bla. Com. 398; 3 Chitty, Stat. 495, 497.