ART. 16.] CHANCERY. 73

such causes could be heard and determined by the laws of Eng-
land in the ecclesiastical courts there.

15. In cases where a divorce is decreed, alimony may be
awarded.

AMENDMENT.

16. Upon application of either complainant or defendant to
any court of equity, he shall have the right, upon payment of
such costs as the court may direct, to amend at any time before
final decree the bill of complaint, answer, pleas, demurrers, or
any of the proceedings in any cause before the court, so as to
bring the merits of the case in controversy fairly to trial.

17. In any suit in chancery where any of the parties are under
age, feme coverts, of unsound mind or non-residents, the pro-
ceedings may be amended by making new parties or otherwise,
and it shall not be necessary to have any new pleadings or proofs
in such cases of amendment, unless the court shall deem such new
pleadings and proofs necessary to promote the ends of justice, or
unless such new party desires to plead or objects to the proof.

AUDITOR.

18. Every judge of a court of equity may appoint, during his
pleasure, a person of integrity, judgment and skill in accounts,
to be auditor for the court of which he is judge, who shall, be-
fore he enters upon the duties of his appointment, take an oath,
to be administered by the judge making the appointment, well
and faithfully to execute the duties of his office, without favor,
affection, partiality or prejudice, and all accounts to be stated,
audited or settled by such court, shall be referred for such pur-
pose to the auditor, who shall have power to administer oaths
to all witnesses and persons proper to be examined upon such
accounts, and shall audit, state and settle such accounts agreeably
to the order of the court, and shall return the same to the court,
to be done with as the court should think just.

19. The auditor shall be allowed four dollars and fifty cents
per day for every day he shall be reasonably employed in stating,
auditing and settling any account, to be paid by the party desir-
ing such accounts to be stated, audited and settled, and taxed in
the bill of costs of the party for whom the decree may pass in the
cause.