ART. 11.] FREDERICK COUNTY. 571

his office, both by himself and any deputy which he may, under
the provisions hereinafter contained, from time to time appoint;

and it shall be his duty, when required thereto, to go himself, or
to send some deputy, to inspect any sole leather, rough harness,
or rough skirting leather within the city of Frederick; and the
manner of inspection shall be as follows, viz.: each side of the
leather shall be accurately weighed, and the weight thereof shall
be stamped or branded thereon in plain, strong, and legible
figures, expressing the number of pounds and quarter pounds,
(if any;) and the quality of each side shall also be stamped or
branded thereon, in plain, strong, and legible letters, according
to the following criteria or distinctions, that is to say: if the
side is of good quality of hide, and of the best manufacture,
there shall be stamped or branded upon it the word "best;" if
the side be of good quality of hide, and of good manufacture,
the word "good;" if the side be of good quality of hide, but of
bad manufacture, the word " bad;" and if the side is damaged,
the word " damaged."

157. There shall also be stamped or branded on each side in-
spected, the surname of the inspector, and the word "Frederick."

158. Any such inspector shall refuse to inspect any leather
which is unmerchantably damp; but, in all cases in which any
side of leather, so inspected, shall fall short of the inspection
weight marked thereon, equal to five per cent., such inspector
shall be liable to the owner of the same, in an action of debt,
with costs, before any justice of the peace, for all such deficiency;

and in all cases in which any side of leather, being merchantably
dry, shall exceed the inspection weight marked thereon, equal to
five per cent., such inspector shall be liable to the tanner of the
same, in a like action, recoverable in like mann er, for all such excess.

159. If any such inspector shall at any time, by reason of
sickness, or other cause, be unable personally to attend to the
duties of his office, or if the quantity of leather required to be
inspected by him shall, at any time, be greater than he can
inspect without aid, then, in either case, he may appoint one or
more deputy inspectors to act in his stead, or in his aid, in the
performance of the duties of his office, which deputies shall be
paid by the inspector appointing them, and shall be acountable
to him for the faithful discharge of the duties of said office, and
the inspector appointing them shall be responsible for their acts
in the same manner as he would be if done or committed by