Section VIII. I n every case in which any person shall commit an offence under Section II., Act XIV., 1839, as exp

VIII. I n every case in which any person shall commit an offence under Section II., Act XIV., 1839, as explained and amended by this Act, after having been previously convicted, either before or after the passing of this Act, of an offence under that Section, such person shall # be liable, upon-conviction before a criminal Court of competent jurisdiction, to be imprisoned, or imprisoned ahd kept to hard labor for any period not exceeding one year, and in every indictment, information or other proceeding for such an offence committed after such previous conviction, it shall be sufficient, after describing the offence, to state that the offender was at a certain time and place convicted of an offence under Section II., Act XIV., 1839, without, otherwise describing * such previous offence or conviction, and a certificate of the previous conviction, purporting to be signed by the Officer having the custody of such previous conviction, or by the deputy or legally authorized Assistant of such Officer, shall, with proof of the identity of the person of the offender,' be sufficient prima `facie` evidence of the first conviction, without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed such certificate.