The jury, before proceeding to act, shall be sworn by the sheriff, fairly and impartially, without favor or affection, to lay off, by metes and bounds, the land required for the proposed improvement, and to inquire and assess the damages.
Code 1858, § 1336; Shan., § 1855; Code 1932, § 3120; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 23-1412.