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LEFT COUNSEL 175 COUNTY tions, which are formed on a geogra- phical basis, consist of a union of all the Soviets within their territories. Thus it is only locally that the Soviet has an educational aspect. It elects delegates to the regional federation, who represent their constituents as workers in a special trade or profession, rather than as citizens. Before the ascendancy of the Bolsheviki the Soviet was open to all citizens above voting age, including women, but after they came into power the Communists restricted suffrage to what they called the proletariat, persons living from the proceeds of their labor and not employing others as workers. In 1920 the Soviet system of govern- ment was still in full power over the greater part of Russia. There has been much criticism of its efficiency by radi- cal observers, themselves in favor of a Socialist system of government. So far removed is the local Soviet from the authority exercised by the National Executive Committee in Moscow, chosen by a quarterly All-Russian Congress of Soviets, that it exercises almost no con- trol over its actions. This is said to be due to the many relays of delegates which are finally represented at the Con- gress. The local Soviets send delegates to a regional soviet, which in turn sends delegates to a provincial soviet, where the delegates to the Congress are elected. By this time the popular character of the representatives is almost completely lost. See Russia. COUNSEL, in English law, a coun- selor-advocate in a trial; also the whole number of advocates engaged on any side collectively. King's Counsel are barristers appointed counsel to the Crown by the Lord Chancellor, and take pre- cedence of other barristers. They have the privilege of wearing a silk gown, that of an ordinary barrister being of stuff. In the United States the word counsel is applied indiscriminately to all members of the legal profession retained in a cause; as, the counsel for the plain- tiff, the counsel for the defendant. COUNT, a title of nobility in most of the continental states of Europe, equiva- lent in rank to the British earl and the German graf. Under the first two races of the Frank kings, the title was given to officers of various degrees, and was at first attached to the office, and not the person; but in the progress of time, when feudalism had introduced inheri- tance instead of election as a fixed rule in succession, it became subject to the same law as the higher titles of kings and dukes, and conferred hereditary privileges on its possessor. The term count has in most of the states where it is in use degenerated into a mere title* to which no political importance is at- tached. Though the title has never been introduced into England, the wives of earls have from the earliest period of its history been designated as countesses. COUNTERFEIT, to imitate, with the intention of deceit, the current medium of exchange or money of a country. In the United States, the crime of counter- feiting paper-money is punishable up to 15 years' hard labor, and a fine of $15,- 000; large coin, 10 years and $5,000 fine; minor coin, 5 years and $1,000 fine. Forging postal money orders, postal cards, government stamps of all kinds, and government securities, as also im- porting, possessing, or uttering false coins or notes with fraudulent intent are crimes punishable up to 10 years' hard labor. Mutilating and debasing the coin is also counterfeiting, but is not so se- verely punished as the making of coun- terfeit coins. COUNTER-IRRITANT, an irrijant application to the external parts of the body designed to diminish, counteract, or remove some other irritation or in- flammation then existing. Such are ru- befacients, perpetual blisters, issues of setons, cauterizing agents. COUNTERPOINT, in music, a term equivalent to harmony or the writing of a carefully planned accompanying part; or that branch of the art which, a musi- cal thought being given, teaches the de- velopment of it, by extension or embel- lishment, by transposition, repetition, or imitation throughout the different parts. Counterpoint is di^^ded into simple, florid or figurate, and double. Simple counterpoint is a composition in two or more parts, the notes of each part being equal in value to those of each corre- sponding part or parts and concords. In florid counterpoint, two or more notes are writen against each note of the sub- ject, or canto- fermo, and discords are admissible. Double counterpoint is an inversion of the parts, so that the base may become the subject, and the subject the base, etc., thus producing new melo- dies and new harmonies. COUNTERSIGN, in military affairs, is a watch-word used to prevent un- authorized persons passing a line of sentries whose orders are to stop anyone unable to give it. It is fixed each day by the commanding officer, but may be changed at any moment, if necessary. COUNTER-TENOR, the highest adult male voice, the same as alto. COUNTY, a county or subdivision of a state for purposes of administration,