Page:William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England (3rd ed, 1768, vol I).djvu/479

 Ch. 17. of all that he has tranacted on his behalf, and mut anwer for all loes by his wilful default or negligence. In order therefore to prevent diagreeable contets with young gentlemen, it has become a practice for many guardians, of large etates epecially, to indemnify themelves by applying to the court of chancery, acting under it's direction, and accounting annually before the officers of that court. For the lord chancellor is, by right derived from the crown, the general and upreme guardian of all infants, as well as idiots and lunatics; that is, of all uch perons as have not dicretion enough to manage their own concerns. In cae therefore any guardian abues his trut, the court will check and punih him; nay ometimes proceed to the removal of him, and appoint another in his tead.

2. us next conider the ward, or peron within age, for whoe aitance and upport thee guardians are contituted by law; or who it is, that is aid to be within age. The ages of male and female are different for different purpoes. A male at twelve years old may take the oath of allegiance; at fourteen is at years of dicretion, and therefore may conent or diagree to marriage, may chooe his guardian, and, if his dicretion be actually proved, may make his tetament of his peronal etate; at eventeen may be an executor; and at twenty one is at his own dipoal, and may aliene his lands, goods, and chattels. A female alo at even years of age may be betrothed or given in marriage; at nine is entitled to dower; at twelve is at years of maturity, and therefore may conent or diagree to marriage, and, if proved to have ufficient dicretion, may bequeath her peronal etate; at fourteen is at years of legal dicretion, and may chooe a guardian; at eventeen may be executrix; and at twenty one may dipoe of herelf and her lands. So that full age in male or female is twenty one years, which age is completed on the day preceding the anniverary of a peron's birth ; who till that time is an infant, and o tiled in law. Among the antient Greeks and Romans women Rh