Page:Legal Bibliography, Numbers 1 to 12, 1881 to 1890.djvu/31

 SOULE & BUGBEE^S LEGAL BIBLIOGRAPHY. 7 SWELL'S POCKET BLACKSTONE. The first volume of the series to be called " E well's Essentials of the Law," was issued in September. Prof. Ewell has enlarged upon his original plan, and made an edition, rather than an abridgment, of Blackstone's Commentaries, to which this whole volume is devoted. To use the words of the Literary World: "Prof. Ewell's abridgment seems exceedingly careful and thorough, and the typographic arrangement distinguishes between the more important and the less valuable portions in a very novel and effective manner. One may get either the marrow of the whole work, or (skipping fine typej may content himself with a rapid survey of general principles ; and may then return, and by looking only at full-faced phrases and catchwords, review the whole in perhaps an hour. The typographic execution is excellent." The editor says in his preface : — Blackstone's Commentaries deservedly constitute in this country the first book of the course of legal study usually prescribed for students of the law. Probably, how- ever, every student who reads Blackstone is embarrassed by his own inability to distin- guish obsolete or unimportant matter from the vital and fundamental principles of the law, and therefore does not know what parts demand the most attention, in order to fi.x them in his memory, and what may be dismissed with a more superficial examination. The object of this Abridgment is to relieve that embarrassment, and thereby to lighten his labor and economize his time by directing his energies to what seems most worthy of attention. This has been attempted by eliminating obsolete and unimportant matter, by displaying leading principles in heavy-faced type, and by printing the more important parts of the text in brevier, while matter of minor importance as a rule has been printed in nonpareil. It, frequently happened throughout the work that obsolete matter was so interwoven with matter of present importance that the plan indicated above could not conveniently be pursued. In such cases the obsolete matter has been indicated by the wocd " obso- lete " enclosed within brackets. Matter merely historical has in some instances been considered so ynportant to a proper understanding of the present state of the law as to deserve more than a passing notice ; such matter has accordingly been printed in the larger t)'pe. To students pursuing their studies in an office, which, in the majority of cases, is equivalent to studying. law alone, and to students in law schools when upon review or preparing for examination, it is believed that this Abridgment will prove especially serviceable ; and it is principally for their use that its preparation has been undertaken. As is frequently the case with good books prepared for students, we find that EwelPs Blackstone is bought by practising lawyers, who want an edition in which they can find easily any particular chapter or paragraph. One great recommendation of the book is its convenient size, and another its cheapness. Although it contains over six hundred pages, clearly printed, it can be put into a side-pocket. The price, in leatherette, is $2.50, net; in law sheep, or in half English law calf, $3.00, net. If it is to be sent by mail, ten cents should be remitted to us for postage in addition to the price. Another volume of " The Essentials of the Law " is in preparation, to comprehend Evidence, Contracts, Pleading, etc. We cannot set the exact date of its publication, but will announce it through the law jour- nals, or in the next number of Legal Bibliography. We have a circular, showing sample pages of EwelPs Blackstone, which we will send to any one who writes for it. WORDS, Etc., JUDICIALLY CONSTRUED. We shall receive, early in January, Lawson's Words, Phrases, and Definitions, Judicially Construed,— a very valuable work, exhibiting, in alphabetical arrangeinent, all the words whose meaning has been con- strued by the principal English and American courts. Under each word is a list of the cases and the connection in which it has been considered. Thus, among the entries under the word " Actual," are — Actual bias. Iji statute. People v. Duck, 37 Cal. 277. Actual cash value. In insurance policy. Mack v. Lancashire Ins. Co., 4 Fed. Rep. 59. Actually received. In -will. Martin -j. Martin, L.R. 2 Eq. 404; Johnson v. Crook, 12 Ch. Div. 639. It is not necessary to enlarge upon the practical value of such a book. The reputation of Mr. Lawson, as editor of the Central Law Journal, and author of excellent treatises on Carriers, and on Usages and Customs, is a good guaranty of the accuracy of his work. The volume will include citations of nearly thirty thousand cases in which words or phrases have been judicially construed, and will be a thick imperial octavo, bound in law-sheep, to be sold for $8.00, fiet. HEARD'S EQUITY PLEADING (NEW). This book contains a concise exposition of the principles and general rules of Equity Pleading, as recognized and enforced at the present day. It is an elementary treatise intended for the information of students and of young and inexperienced pleaders. A collection of precedents for practical use has been added, adapted to the law as it exists at the present day. The contents are : Chap. I. Introduction; II. The Parties ; III. BiUs; IV. Demurrers; V. Pleas; VI. Answers; VII. Amended Bills; VIII. Revivor and Supplement and Supplemental Bills ; IX. Interlocutory Applications; X. Proceedings on going into Evidence; Conclusion; Precedents ; Index. Admirably suited for the use of the student, as it presents, in the briefest manner, and in a well-chosen style, the leading features of its subject. — Albany Law Journal. A very useful and excellent work, well calculated to assist, not only the classes for which the author says it was especially designed, but the general practitioner. — Virginia Law youmal. The method of arrangement is logical and clear, and the treatment precise. In addition to the text, there are nearly one hundred pages of precedents, which seem to us to form by no means the least valuable portion of the work. — Central Law jtournal. Admirably fitted for students as well as general practitioners. — C/izV/" Appleion. Price, in black cloth, $2.00, net ; in law sheep or half law calf, $2.50, )iet ; with fifteen cents additional for postage, when sent by mail. NOTES ON OUR OWN BOOKS. Professor Bigelow's Law Cases — William I. to Richard I.— "Placita Anglo-Normannica," has a very able and interesting introduc- tory chapter on the origin of English law, and early procedure before the local courts. To those interested in the origin and development of local self-government, this part of the work is especially valuable. The JV. V. Nation says : — Although the interest of the book is principally legal, it has, at the same time, great value for the student of constitutional and general history. The Star Chajviber Cases, a reprint from the London edition 1630, contains a scholarly and interesting historical sketch of that famous " Court of Star Chamber," by F. F. Heard, Esq. In a communication to the Legal Intelligencer, of Philadelphia, Mr. John William Wallace said of the style in which the work was issued : — We think we may affirm with confidence that no English law-book has ever been printed with equal elegance of typography, paper, and binding. Of Fuller's "Noted French Trials: Imposters and Advent- urers," the Albany Law Journal says : — This is a book which the lawyer will not lay dovn until he has read it through. Much of its contents is news to us, and everj-thing is conveyed in a clear and agreeable style, with a light and rapid touch. No fairy tale is more fascinating to a child than this book to a lawyer. A Collection of Important English Statutes, showing the prin- cipal changes in the law of real property, together with some other enactments of common reference, was made primarily as a reference-book for the use of members of the Harvard Law School, but it has been received with much favor by leading members of the bench and bar. A distinguished teacher and writer, connected with one of our leading law schools, says : — Your collection of English Statutes has captivated some of our students, and I think a club has been formed to buy some of them. It is just what I have long wanted. Of Fairb.^nk's "Marriage and Divorce Laws of Massachusetts" the Boston Transcript says: — It is not only indispensable to lawyers who attend to divorce cases, but is also of in- terest to all who desire to understand the much-vexed social problem agitated each year in pubhc gatherings, and before committees of the Legislature.