Holland

A constitutional monarchy. The crown is hereditary in the male line, or, failing male heirs, in the female line. The sovereign has the sole executive authority. He establishes ministerial departments under responsible ministers, and shares the legislative power with the first and second chambers of the parliament which constitute the States-Gencral and sits at The Hague. The first chamber has fifty members, chosen by the provincial states for nine years. The members of the second chamber are chosen for four years in electo^l districts, by male voters over twenty-three years of age, possessing a certain taxable qualification. The highest court of justice is the High Council at The Hague. There are five other courts of justice in five different cities; and courts in each.arrondissement and cantonal Judges. The constitution was formed in 1815 and revised In 1848 and 1887. Encycl. Br.