If in any proceeding by a landlord to dispossess a tenant the judgment be in his favor, the judge shall assess against the tenant holding over the premises, damages not exceeding double the rate of the rent of said tenancy, and also for the expenses of said landlord or reversioner in and about said proceeding, over and above the legal cost thereof, and shall render a judgment therefor in favor of the lessor or reversioner, to be enforced by execution. P.L.L., 1860, §895 1888, §870 1915, §857 1927, §857 1930, §857 1938, §1138 1949, §741 1969, §9-27 1898, ch. 123, §857 1979, ch. 125