Page:Legal Bibliography, Numbers 1 to 12, 1881 to 1890.djvu/29

 SOULE & BUGBEE'S LEGAL BIBLIOGRAPHY. 5 AN AID TO ACCURATE LANGUAGE. There are very few men who are endowed with the gift of writing rapidly and correctly without repetition. The average lawyer, in preparing a brief, or in writing an important letter, is apt to be bothered in the choice of words to express his exact meaning or to render a sentence more clear, terse, or forcible. For such an exigency it is desirable to have always handy on one's desk a book of synonymes or parallel expressions. The best of such books for a busy man is Soule's Dictionary of Synonymes (by Richarcl Soule, Dr. Worcester's principal assistant in the preparation of his quarto dictionary). Its chief merits are simplicity of arrangement (which is alphabetical throughout), and the subdivision of the synonymes of each word under its diflferent significations. There are no cross-refer- ences from one word to another to cause delay, and no need for any, as each word has its group of synonymes in full. The nominal price of this standard book of reference, in cloth, is $2.00 ; and in substantial half-calf, library binding, $3.50 ; but as it was published under the old system of " long prices " and discounts, we can sell it to lawyers for $1.60, net, in cloth, or $2.75, net, in half-calf. WALLACE'S REPORTERS; NEW EDITION. Mr. Reed, in his new work entitled "American Law Studies," speaks thus of the fourth edition of " Wallace's Reporters " : — As a statement of the merits and faults of the different reporters, their editors, and different editions, — as a guide to pointing out the authenticity or the good or bad standing of the various English reports, and showing their proper use, Mr. Wallace's work is unique. It is indispensable to the student, who must get information touching its different topics as a part of liis necessary legal education, and it is also indispens- able to the practhioner, who needs to have always at hand the means to weigh the authority of the reports mentioned. Biographical details, incident and anecdote, striking cases, happy illustrations from a wide variety of polite literature, bits of wise reflection in language of great finish, — (hese and other entertainments, managed with propriety, give everywiiere the charm of amusement, in keeping with the leading object and sound learning of the book. The volume so highly praised by Mr. Reed is entitled, " The Report- ers, arranged and characterized, with incidental remarks, by John William Wallace. Fourth edition, revised and en- larged BY THE author, AND CARRIED THROUGH THE PRESS UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF Franklin Fiske Heard." Mr. Wallace is well known as the reporter of twenty-three volumes of United States Supreme Court Decisions, and by this work, which has reached its fourth edition. The Contents are : Remarks upon the Value of Observations concern- ing the Reporters ; The Common-Law Reporters ; The Usurpation ; The Restoration ; The Chancery Reporters ; The Ecclesiastical Reporters ; A Chronological List of English Reports after the American Revolution ; A Chronological List of Reports in the Irish and Scotch Courts ; Amer- ican Reports ; Appendix. The extended sale which this edition is finding proves the intelligence of the average American lawyer, and his interest in matters beyond the details of his profession, — the history and fundamental records of the law. Wallace's Reporters, bound either in full law sheep or in half law calf, sells for $5.50, net. If it is to be sent by mail, 25 cents additional should be remitted for postage. ORDERS FOR FOREIGN BOOKS. While one of our partners was in England last summer, he perfected arrangements which enable us to import promptly, and at low prices, either single books for lawyers, or large consignments for libraries. We will give personal attention to orders for foreign books. SECOND-HAND BOOKS PURCHASED. We buy parcels or libraries of law-books. In sending lists to us, please specify dates of publication, number of volumes in each set, and condition of binding, etc. LEADING CASES MADE EASY. We shall receive in January a new edition of Shirley's Leading Cases made Easy, — which was first published in 1880, and has been so successful as to pass to a second edition in two years. The title-page reads thus : — " Leading Cases Made Easy : " a Selection of Leading Cases IN THE Common Law, with Notes. By W. Shirley Shirley. Ridentem dicere verum Quid vetat ? ut pueris olim dant crustula blandi Doctores, eleraanta velint ut discere prima. Hor. Sat. I. i. 24. This book is writ in such a dialect As may the minds of hstless men affect ; It seems a novelty, and yet contains Nothing but sound and honest (legal) strains. Bunyan, Apol. Pilgr. Progr. The Law Times of London spoke thus of the first edition: — Mr. Shirley has endeavored to infuse a jittle lightness into a very dry study, by put- ting the facts of leading cases into a narrative, which, although not humorous, is not quite so prosaic as the law reports. . . . Writing of this description relieves the dull monotony of the cases. . . . But Mr. Shirley is not the less careful as to his law, and while his notes are not so voluminous as those of the immortal Smith, they are compendious and very instructive. He writes well and clearly, and evidently under- stands what he is writing about. The English price, in cloth, will be sixteen shillings (equal, when duty is added, to about $5-oo), but, by importing a large number, we can offer this edition, in cloth, for $2.50; and in law sheep or half calf, for $3.00. Postage, 15 cents extra. Mr. Shirley, in enlarging his work, has added some American cases, which will add greatly to its interest here. On another page will be found a short quotation from the " Leading Cases inade Easy," which will enable buyers, to judge of the merits and attractions of the book. OUR NEW CATALOGUE. We have recently printed "A Short Catalogue of Law Reports and Text-Books," for the use of lawyers or students who are about to buy books. It does not contain full lists of reports (for which, see The Lawyers' Reference Manual), but has brief statements of the num- ber of volumes in each set of American reports, and of the English re- ports which can be purchased at reasonable prices. The main part of the catalogue is given to a list of such text-books as are used in the libraries of practising lawyers in America. The prices given in catalogues have always puzzled buyers. Ten years ago it could be taken for granted that all books would be sold at a large discount from catalogue rates. Of late years, however, a change has taken place. Most of the new books are published at net prices, from which no discount is ever given. One or two of the leading pub- lishers have reduced their nominal prices, but not to absolute net limits, so that still they give discounts, though much smaller than before, to retail buyers. To give more accurate information in this regard than catalogues generally convey, we divide the prices of text-books, in our catalogue, into three columns ; one giving the prices which are absolutely net J another the prices from which small discounts can be expected ; and a third, showing the prices which still remain at the old " long rates," which allow a generous discount to the purchaser. By this arrangement we enable lawyers to calculate approximately how much any list of text- books will cost. We do not attempt to print prices for reports, as they are generally bought second-hand, and there is, therefore, no fixed standard for most of them. Our " Short Catalogue " will be sent without charge to any one who asks I for it.