But the Cacous in question were not only lepers, but families in which leprosy was considered hereditary. For this reason they are called Giezites, les Gézits, les Gesitains, from Giezi, servant of Elisha and his posterity. (See Michel, vol. i. pp. 56. 148. 238. &c.) A simple leper was Lazarius or ladre. The latter were, like Lazarus, merely afflicted; but the former were deemed to be under an abiding curse, like Giezi. But those who were Giezites by condition, as inheriting and transmitting the disease, were by many of the vulgar imagined to be Giezites by blood, and the real posterity of Elisha's servant, "Cagots de Chanaan." By an equally natural result, persons actually free from disease were shunned as Cacous; since the stigma attached to the race, not to the individual. Indeed, the wearing out of the malady has created the whole obscurity of the case. Their most curious title, Crestiaas or Christians, was not given them in direct affirmation, but in denial of a negative, "not non-christian." Because, being considered of Giezi's lineage, not only Jews, but Jews under a curse, many would be disposed to repell them from communion. See Dom Lepelletier's _Dict. Bretonne_, in CACOUS. Whether hereditary lepra was rightly thought to exist, or whether the negligence of the more abject and squalid families in communicating it to each other falsely raised that idea, is a separate question, which I must leave to physicians. A. N. SHERIFFS AND LORDS LIEUTENANT. (Vol. v., p. 394.) Dalton saith: "Vice comites have the same authority that the antient comites had; and at this day there are some relicts of that dignity, for he hath _album baculum_, and the grant of the office is commisimus vobis [comitatum]. And also he takes place of every nobleman during the time that he is in office." The Writ of Assistance ran thus: "To archbishops, bishops, dukes, earls, barons, knights, freeholders, and all others of our county of C. Whereas we have committed to our well-beloved A. B. the custody of our said county, with the appurtenances, during our pleasure, We command you that ye be aiding, answering, and assisting to the said A. B. as our sheriff of our said county in all things which appertain to the said office." This form was abolished in 1833. The Lord Lieutenant is a military officer, who appears to have grown into permanence under the Tudors. The office of Custos Rotulorum, which, though quite distinct, is usually joined with it, is much more ancient; its duties are to keep the records of the sessions, which involve the appointment of the clerk of the peace, and the power of recommending to the Great Seal of persons to be inserted in the commission of the peace.