made in it by loving hands. It was therefore a thing to be treated reverently, and could be consulted nowhere except in the Crown Office itself. All that is now changed. The present Rules-the first ever promulgated by the Crown Side of the Queen's Bench Division-were published in 1886, and admirably edited by Mr. Short. Since then there has been published a useful work on the Prerogative Writs by Mr. Shortt-quite a different person it will be observed-and now Mr. Short and Mr. Francis Mellor have produced a volume of practice on the Crown Side, embracing all that is necessary to be known by any one having a case in the Crown Paper. They have included besides the practice as to Prerogative Writs, and other matters pertaining exclusively to the Crown Office, the practice as to Special Cases from Quarter Sessions, as to Appeals from County Courts and other inferior Courts, and as to Inquisitions of Escheat, which have now to be filed in the Crown Office, in accordance with the Escheat Act, 1887. No one who has had occasion to use Mr. Short's edition of the Crown Office Rules, will be surprised to hear that the work in which he has collaborated with Mr. F. H. Mellor is remarkably lucid, accurate, exhaustive, and well-arranged. It supplies handsomely a want which the authors (with complete truth, if not in an unprecedented form of expression) declare to have been felt for a long time. It thoroughly illuminates a region of mystery, which was mysterious only because there was no book on the subject, and it makes the Crown Practice as easy to master as any other. The volume contains the Crown Office Rules, 1886, the appropriate parts of the Rules of the Supreme Court, 1883, and a large collection of authoritative forms. The index, as far as a partly practical and partly experimental test can show, is an exceedingly good one.

Roscoe's Digest of the Law of Evidence in Criminal Cases. Eleventh Edition. By HORACE SMITH and GILBERT GEORGE KENNEDY. London: Stevens & Sons, Limited; Sweet & Maxwell, Limited. 1890. 8vo. lxiv and 1060 pp.

ROSCOE's Criminal Evidence' is not a digest, and what it has to say about the law of evidence properly so called, is the shorter and less important part of the book. Nevertheless it is a useful book, though less popular than Archbold (and in our opinion deservedly so) as a general work of reference in criminal practice. The eleventh edition, which is now published by Mr. Horace Smith and Mr. G. G. Kennedy, both police magistrates in London, is the first in which the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1885, is incorporated, the Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children being also of course included for the first time. The effect of the latter, a statute not making much change in the law, and upon which there have not yet been any reported decisions, and are not likely ever to be many, is briefly and clearly set out in short chapter. The recent decisions of the Court for Crown Cases Reserved appear to have been accurately and sufficiently embodied in the work.

We have also received :

The Judicial Dictionary, or words and phrases judicially interpreted. By F. STROUD. London: Sweet & Maxwell, Limited. 1890. Large 8vo. cxvi and 916 pp.-The object of this book may be concisely stated in the words of the preface: This work in no sense competes with, nor does it cover the same ground as, the law-lexicons of Jacob, Tomlins, Wharton, or

Sweet. As its name imports, it is a dictionary of the English language (in its phrases as well as single words) so far as that language has received interpretation by the Judges. Its chief aim is that it may be a practical companion to the English-speaking lawyer, not only in the mother-country but also in the Colonies and dependencies of the Queen. The hope is also indulged in that it may be not without utility to the man of business, nor without interest to the student of word-lore.'

This book very fairly carries out the intentions of the author. It possesses considerable merit, though, as one would naturally expect, the articles are of unequal value. It bears marks of considerable research, and the old as well as the modern authorities have been consulted. In the addenda the most recent cases are noted up.

Generally speaking the author does not discuss disputed meanings; sometimes he refers the reader to the cases where the arguments will be found, at other times he refers to a well-known text-book in which the disputed meaning is discussed. Probably this was the only course that it was possible for the author to pursue, as if he had in all cases given the arguments he would have added enormously to the bulk of his book.

It is not possible to give a decided opinion as to the merits of a book of this nature until one has had it in use for a long time. This we have not been able to do, but during the time that it has been in our chambers we have had it in constant use and have found it very useful.

Outline of Roman History from Romulus to Justinian (including translations of the Twelve Tables, the Institutes of Gaius, and the Institutes of Justinian), &c. By DAVID NASMITH, Q.C. London: Butterworths. 1890. 8vo. xix and 618 pp. Mr. Nasmith, in his preface, quotes the author of the Institutes of Justinian' as saying that 'Jurisprudence is the knowledge of things human and divine, and the exact discernment of what is just and unjust,' and the law of nature is not a law to man only,' &c. Mr. Nasmith then adds, It is inconceivable that such and many other like passages findable in Justinian could have emanated from a jurist.' Unfortunately they both did' emanate from Ulpian, as is well known to every one who has consulted the first title of the Digest. Need we remind the reader that Ulpian was simply copying Stoic phrases to show that a Roman lawyer could philosophize Cf. L. Q. R. iii. 67. Mr. Nasmith also complains that 'speaking generally, the writers of [books on Roman History] practically ignore the existence of Roman Law, and the authors of [books on Roman Law] that of Roman History.' It would seem therefore that Mommsen knows no law and Ihering knows no history. We fear they will not consent to learn from Mr. Nasmith. Not many kinds of blunders in the preface to a book will justify the reviewer in declining to read any of the text, but some will. In a book on Roman legal history these may be thought justification enough. The feat of writing a book of more than 600 pages on that subject without ever looking at the first title of the Digest is a remarkable one, but we would rather have seen it performed by some one else than one of Her Majesty's counsel.

The Sale of Goods, including The Factors' Act, 1889. By His Honour JUDGE CHALMERS. London: W. Clowes & Sons, Limited. 1890. 8vo. xxix and 170 pp.-This little book, which we hope to notice more fully in October, contains the results of more labour in production and requires more labour in effective criticism than many far more pretentious and bulky volumes. It is, in the first place, an annotated recasting of the Sale of Goods Bill, drafted by Judge Chalmers and introduced into the House of Lords by

Lord Herschell in the sessions of 1888 and 1889. This bill was a purely codifying measure, endeavouring to formulate in an Act that part of the law which deals with the Contract of Sale. Judge Chalmers has added notes, illustrations, references to authorities, and comparisons of English with Scotch and Civil Law. The work will be most useful both to scientific students of the law and to commercial lawyers.

A Digest of the Criminal Law of Canada (Crimes and Punishments). Founded by permission on Sir James Fitzjames Stephen's Digest of the Criminal Law. By GEORGE WHEELOCK BURBIDGE, Judge of the Exchequer Court of Canada. Toronto Carswell & Co. 1890. La. 8vo. lxiii and 588 pp. A few pages of general introduction would have added to the interest and utility of this work for non-Canadian readers, as, for example, the learned Frenchman who will doubtless make a report on it in due course to the Société de législation comparée. To some extent the matter is supplied by Article 2 of the Digest, Application of the Law of England,' which shows how English criminal law was received at very different dates in the different Provinces, and, therefore, save so far as revised and supplemented by Canadian legislation, is not uniformly applicable throughout the Dominion. It does not appear, however, that this causes any material difficulty in the common course of administering criminal justice in

Canada.

6

Histoire des sources du droit français. Origines romaines. Par ADOLPHE TARDIF. Paris Alphonse Picard. 1890. La. 8vo. v and 527 Pp.— There was a time when English students had to be exhorted not to overlook the historical school of Germany. Perhaps the time has now come round to remind them that the German school is not the only one. The best traditions of French learning have shown a remarkable increase of vitality in all directions since France was delivered from the Second Empire, and not least in the history of legal and political institutions. We can now say no more of the present work than that M. Tardif is an acknowledged master of his subject. The book is specially designed for use in the Ecole des Chartes.

The Student's Blackstone: being the Commentaries on the Laws of England of Sir William Blackstone, Knt., abridged and adapted to the present state of the law. The eleventh edition. By R. M. N. KERR. London: Reeves & Turner. 1890. 8vo. xx and 618 pp.-If books of this kind ever lead any student to read the real Blackstone, their existence is justified. One inconvenience of their form is that the editorial matter itself may easily escape being 'adapted to the present state of the law,' as where we read in this edition that it would be premature to express any opinion on the recent consolidation' (1875, fifteen years ago) of the Superior Courts of Law and Equity into one High Court of Justice.'

The Contract of Affreightment as expressed in Charter-parties and Bills of Lading. By T. E. SCRUTTON. Second edition. London: W. Clowes & Sons, Limited. 1890. 8vo. xlvi and 343 pp.-The digest form, introduced into English legal literature by Mr. Justice Stephen from the Anglo-Indian codes, appears to be steadily gaining in favour. Mr. Scrutton is not the least among its recent adherents. Of course much depends on the digester : he must first labour to be accurate, and then conceal his labour in order to be lucid. Mr. Scrutton spares neither thought nor labour, and he is rewarded by the approval of the profession in its most practical form.

A Treatise on the Law and Practice of Patents for Inventions, &c. By JAMES JOHNSON and J. HENRY JOHNSON. Sixth edition, revised and enlarged. London: Longmans, Green & Co. 1890. 8vo. xxxii and 534 pp. This edition appears to be the first which has embodied the Act of 1883 and the later supplementary statutes. In this and other respects may be considered as practically a new book.

it

Prospectus-makers and the Public. London: Sir Joseph Causton & Sons. 1890. 8vo. v and 147 pp.-Sir Henry Peek has put together a full account of the litigation in Peek v. Derry, with an introduction partly narrative and partly argumentative. Sir Frederick Pollock's article from the LAW QUARTERLY REVIEW is reprinted, as well as the judgments in the case, the Bill now before Parliament with regard to statements contained in prospectuses, and another draft suggested by Sir H. Peek himself.

The Annual County Courts Practice, 1890. Founded on Pollock and Nicols' and Heywood's Practices of the County Courts. By GEORGE WASHINGTON HEYWOOD. Two vols. London: Sweet & Maxwell, Limited. 1890. 8vo. xxxiv and 935, xii and 351 pp.-This is a fusion of the two earlier works mentioned on the title-page, in which the best parts of both books have been retained; but the text has been entirely revised, much of it rewritten and the whole rearranged.' The so-called 'Rules of Evidence' in chap. 2 include an epitome of substantive law (Nisi Prius '-wise) which we should have thought too short to be of much use.

Reports of Cases under the Companies' Acts, decided in the High Court of Justice, the Court of Appeal, and the House of Lords. Reported by W. B. MEGONE. Vol. I, with complete Digest and Index. London: Sweet & Maxwell, Limited. 1890. La. 8vo. x and 493 pp.-So far as we have made the comparison, we find that Mr. Megone gives a better report of arguments than the Law Reports, and decidedly better head-notes.

Tableau des origines et de l'évolution de la famille et de la propriété. Par MAXIME KOVALEVSKY. Stockholm. [1890.] 8vo. 202 pp. The Russian authorities know best why such an acknowledged master as Mr. Kovalevsky lectures at Stockholm and Oxford. For us it is so much the better; for Moscow and Russia, one would think, so much the worse.

Allgemeine Staatslehre als Einleitung in das Studium der Rechtswissenschaft. Von HERMANN HENSCHEL. Erste Lieferung. Berlin. 1890. 4to. 96 pp. After a certain age one comes to think that one learned German's Staatslehre is very like another. Let us hope that Herr Henschel's (we have not yet had time to read it) may be a brilliant exception.

The Judicature Act of Ontario, and the Consolidated Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Supreme Court of Judicature for Ontario, with practical notes. By GEORGE S. HOLMESTED and THOMAS LANGTON, Q.C. Toronto: Carswell & Co. 1890. 8vo. cxxiv and 1330 pp.

The Study of History in Germany and France [John Hopkins University Studies]. By PAUL FRÉDÉRICQ. Translated by HENRIETTA LEONARD. Baltimore. 1890. 8vo. 118 pp.

Commentaries on the Present Laws of England. By THOMAS BRETT. Two vols. W. Clowes & Sons, Limited. 1890. 8vo. cvi, xxiii and 1233 pp. Examination of some Statements in the pamphlet of MR. J. FLETCHER MOULTON, Q.C., on 'The Taxation of Ground Values,' and in the Evidence

of MR. SIDNEY WEBB before the Town Holdings' Committee. CLEMENTS. 8 pp.

By G. M.

Rogers on Elections. Part I. Registration, Parliamentary, Municipal and Local Government, including the Practice in Registration Appeals, &c. Fifteenth Edition. By M. POWELL. London: Stevens & Sons, Lim. 1890. 8vo. xxxv and 759 pp.

The Factors' Act, 1889, with Commentary and Notes, designed particularly for the use and guidance of mercantile men. By CHARLES H. L. NEISH and A. T. CARTER. London: Stevens & Sons, Lim. 1890. 8vo. xii and 59 PP.