b o o k the plurality of votes. Thefe diets have long been known
to the contlitution, and have at times been ufed upon extraordinary
emergencies ; but within thefe ten years they have
been regularly held at the ftated time for fummoning ordinary
diets. Indeed, according to the true principles of the
Poliih government, no confederacy ought to be entered into
excepting upon the following occaiions • in defence of the
king’s perfon, upon any foreign invasion or domeftic confpi-
racy; and during an interregnum at the diets of convocation
and election». But as no other means has been found
to prevent perpetual anarchy, the nation is obliged to fubmit
to an infringement of the conftitution, which operates for
the general good t.
D i e t o f E l e c t i o n .
During my continuance at Warfaw I viiited the fpot
where the kings of Poland are chofen. I was fo fortunate
as to be accompanied by a nobleman of the fenate, who
obligingly explained all the forms and ceremonies of the
eledtion, and anfwered all the queftions which my curioiity
fuggefted to me Upon the occafion. Immediately upon my
return to Warfaw, while my memory was yet warm, I noted
down the following account of the place and mode of election
: I was more circumftantial than ufual, as well becaufe
the fubjeff is interelling, as becaufe moft of the defcriptions
which I have read of this ceremony abound with errors.
The fpot, which is fettled by the conftitution for the place
of ele&ion,' is the plain of Vola, about three miles from the
* But as it is ena&ed by the diet o f 1768, laws, or repealing old ftatutes.
that all matters o f ftate mud be carried + It is decreed, however, by the code of
nnanimoufly in free diets, I prefume that 1768, that in every diet o f convocation all
the diets by.confederacy only tranfaft the Hate matters muit pafs unanimoufly, p. 58.
common bulinel’s, without making any new
capital
capital. In the midft of this plain are two enclofures of C^*P-
ground, one for the fenate, and the other for the nunfios. > . ■
The former is of an oblong ihape, furrounded by a kind of
rampart or ditch; in the midft of which is erefted, at the
time of eledtion, a temporary building of wood, called fzopa,
covered at top and open at the fides. Near it is the other
enclofure for the nuntios, of a circular ihape, from which
it derives its name of kola or circle, within which there
is no building eredted, the nuntios aflembling in the open
air. When the two chambers are joined, they meet within
the kola, the fenators chairs and the benches for the nuntios
being ranged in the fame regular order as in the fenate-
houfe at Warfaw, while the feat of the primate is placed in
the middle. The fzopa is always pulled down at the con-
clufion of the election ; fo that I could only trace the fite of
the inclofures, the ramparts of earth remaining in the
fame ftate. I-had an opportunity, however, of feeing a
painting reprefenting the fzopa and whole fcene of election,
which, as I was informed, was perfectly accurate,
But before I defcribe the election, it may be neceflary to
give a ihort detail of the principal occurrences which precede
that ceremony.
Upon the king’s demife the interregnum commences:
the regal authority is then veiled in the archbiihop of
Gnefna primate of Poland, as interrex or regent. He announces
the death of the king by circular letters, convokes
the dietines and diets of convocation ; and, in a word, performs
all the functions of royalty during the Vacancy in the
throne.
The diet, which is firft convened upon the fovereign’s
deceafe, is called the diet of convocation, and is always held
at Warfaw, previous to the diet of eledtion, which afiembles
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