Page:Halsbury Laws of England v1 1907.pdf/211

 INTRODUCTION.

An ideal code has been contemplated by many law reformers in which every case which could possibly occur should be provided for, and the determination simply effected by reference to the code

no

in its application that

—

of

it

be

a code so universal

difficulty could be found,

but the

solution of every legal problem would be at once disclosed.

A

very small experience, however, of the infinite variety of

human

the incidents of

convince us that such an

life will

ideal code is

an impossibility, and that the utmost that can

be done

to

is

establish

some

principles by reference to

but even then the which a question may be decided principles must be stated so generally that their very Hence generality may work injustice if rigidly adhered to. Aristotle's idea of the iineiKes and the ^TravopBoaiia v6[iov lAAetVet

fj

bta TO KaOoXov.

The necessity

of

some regulations

to

enable

human

creatures to live as an associated body has produced and

reproduced

the

same

countries of the world. of

cycle

of

events

would seem

to

attributes to

Lycurgus that

Laws and forms the

various

and written rules

be an essential element, though tradition

hence have been called

until

the

This necessity has developed forms

government, and systems of laws

first

in

of

his laws

were only spoken, and

pijrpau

government grow imperceptibly

necessities

of

an

advancing

at

civilisation