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70 ^o HAR VARD LA V/ RE VIE W. First Book of Practice. By Lemuel H. Foster. Detroit, Mich. : Col- lector Publishing Co. 1897. pp. 488. The subject of this work, as set forth in the table of contents, embraces the conduct of nearly every sort of proceeding at law or in equity, and at first glance the field seems rather large for careful treatment in so small a space. But on reading the book it appears that the author has wisely limited his discussion to a special part of this matter. He avoids com- ment on substantive law, and does not go into the technical requirement of statute, or the minor peculiarities of State practice. Where these points arise the fact is noted and the reader is referred to the proper authority. The book is designed primarily for the young lawyer, and its object is to "answer the numberless questions along practical lines that are not contained in law books generally." When a matter is easily accessible elsewhere, as a rule, it is passed over lightly. The result of this treatment is a very serviceable work in moderate space. The keynote is practical utility, and the book is full of suggestions, cautions, and advice ; such matters as are the result of experience and are generally to be secured only by applying to some older lawyer. The author deals care- fully with the various steps in beginning and carrying on the common-law actions ; outlines the procedure in attachment, garnishment, drawing of wills, etc, and gives samples of forms in common use. He also gives careful directions on the preparation and trial of causes, and has full chap- ters on the codes and equity. Throughout these subjects the book con- tains all the necessary practical steps, and with its aid, as the author says, the young lawyer should be " reasonably secure against fatal blunders " in his first essays. The tone of the book is confident and sure, the style is clear, and it will doubtless prove a valuable aid to those beginning the practice of law. G. b. h. BOOKS RECEIVED. A Treatise on the Military Law OF the United States. By George B. Dayis, U. S. A. New York : John Wiley & Co. 1898. Foster's First Book of Practice. By Lemuel H. Foster. Detroit : The Collector Publishing Co. 1897. General Digest. American and Eng- lish. Annotated. New Series. Roches- ter : The Lawyer's Co-Operative Pub- lishing Co. 1898. Law and Politics in the Middle Ages. By Edward Jenks. New York : Henry Holt & Co. 1898. Memoirs and Letters of James Kent. By William Kent. Boston: Little, Brown, & Co. 1898. Tenth Report on the Custody and Condition of the Public Records OF Parishes, Towns, and Counties. By Robert T. Swan, Commissioner. Boston : Wright & Potter Printing Co. 1898. The Principles of the Law of Sedition. By J. Chaudhuri. Calcutta: Weekly Notes Printing Works. 1898. The Science of Law and Lawmak- ing. By R. Floyd Clarke. New York : The Macmillan Co. 1898. The Trial of Emile Zola. New York : Benj. R. Tucker. 1898. Township and Borough. By Fred- erick William Maitland. Cambridge: University Press. 1898.