hours of leisure from more serious pursuits. A member of the Federal Council cannot, during his term, “occupy any other office in the service of the Confederation or a Canton, or follow any other pursuit, or practise any profession.” He devotes his entire time and attention to his department, and not a mere casual, intermitting, and brief attention; or merely giving the refuse of his time and abilities in passing judgment on what others have devised and executed. He is obliged to attend to the routine, the detail, and all the technical niceties of its daily administration. The salaries paid to these distinguished officials are not relatively higher than the wages of the people at large; and are very insignificant when compared with the compensation accorded for like services in other countries. Each of the seven members receives an annual salary of 12,000 francs or $2316; the President of the Council is given 1500 francs additional, making his salary $2605. This increase of salary to the President is made under the head of “expenses of representation,” understood to mean entertainments and kindred purposes devolving upon this official. The entire annual appropriation made for the maintenance of the executive department will not exceed $17,000.[36] The business of the Federal Council is distributed among seven departments, as follows: 1. Foreign Affairs. 2. Interior. 3. Justice and Police. 4. Military. 5. Finance and Customs. 6. Industry and Agriculture. 7. Posts and Railways. Each one of these departments is presided over by one of the Councillors. When the Council is integrally renewed by the Assembly there is no designation or assignment of any department; the members are simply chosen as federal Councillors, and make the apportionment among themselves; and an agreeable understanding has always been reached. According to the constitution this departmental division is only “to facilitate the examination and despatch of business; all decisions must emanate from the Council as a whole.” Regular Council meetings are generally held twice a week. A decision is not valid unless at least four members are present, and no decision can be reversed except by four out of the seven, in a session attended by more than four. The Councillor presides over his department, conducting it much as an ordinary Secretary would under a cabinet system. In theory, each is responsible for all, and all are responsible for each. There is no question of rank, each department is of equal dignity.