Ryot

In India. A peasant, subject, or 8. C. Same case; supreme court. S S. A collar formerly worn on state occasions by the Lord Chief Justice of England, and of the Common Pleas and the Lord Chief Baron — now only by the first named of these (</. v.). The origin and history of this collar have given rise to much learned discussion. The letter “S” on the chain is accounted for in various ways as representing Souvenir or Soverayne of the ter sanctus of the Salisbury Liturgy. It appears to have originated with John of Gaunt. It became the badge of the Lancastrians and was worn by Henry V. The first Judge to wear it was Sir Richard Newton, Chief Justice of the King’s Bench under Henry VI. It was still worn by the Chiefs of^the three courts until 1S75. It was worn by Lord Russell as Lord Chief Justice of England and has been by his successors. Inderwick, “King’s Peace” 175. See 136 Law Times 73. It was formerly the badge of the House of Lancaster. Oxford Diet. 8. v. Collar. As to ss as used in notarial acts, etc., see Scilicet.

In India. A peasant, subject or tenant of house or land. Wharton,

— Ryot-tenure. A system of land-tenure where the government takes the place of landowners and collects the rent by means of tax gatherers. The farming is done by poor peasants, (ryotB,) who find the capital, so far as there is any, and also do the work. The system exists in Turkey, Egypt, Persia, and other Eastern countries, and in a modified form in British India. After slavery, it is accounted the worst of nil systems, because the government can fix the rent at what it pleases, and it is difficuit to dlstingnish between rent and taxes.