In English parliamentary law. Forty members form a bouse of commons; and, though there be ever so many at the beginning of a debate, yet, lf during the course of It tbe house should be deserted by the members, till reduced below the number of forty, any one member may have lt adjourned npon lts belng counted; but a debate may be contlnued wheu only one member is left in the house, provided no oue choose to move an adjournment, wharton
