Page:Marvin, Legal Bibliography, 1847.djvu/371

 HAL remark, a command of perspicuous and forcible lang^uage, with a guarded reserve in offering opinions on great controverted points of law^ and the constitution, characterized the writings of Lord Hale." Hargrave's Tracts, Pref, ; 33 Month. Rev. 382. HALE, SIR M. De Successionibus Jipud Anglos; or, a Treatise of Hereditary Descents. 8vo. London. 1700. This Tract constitutes Chapter XL of the author's History of the Crown Law., The Analysis of the Law ; being a Scheme or Abstract of the several Titles and Partitions of the Law of Eng- land, Digested into Method. 8vo. ' London. 1716. This Analysis was subsequently printed in the author's History of the Common Law, by Runnington. See Black. Com. ante. — . The History of the Common Law of England, and an Analysis of the Civil Part df the Law; with a Life of the Author. 6th ed., with additional Notes and References. By Charles Runnington. 8vo. London. 1820. Hale's History is a posthumous publication, and is not to be regarded as a complete history of the English Law. The author, it is probable, only considered the work a sketch, to be filled up as leisure afforded him an opportunity, yet, notwithstanding its brevity, Hale's History became a standard authoritative exposition of the grounds and maxims of the Common Law. Blackstone, and other writers of his period, con- stantly refer to it, but Reeves' History, and other later authors, have, in a measure, superseded Hale, although Serj. Runnington's ample and erudite notes supply some omissions, and, in some degree, continue the history. Sir Matthew Hale's character and abilities as a judge, and his writings as a jurist, have obtained a good deal of the praise and admiration of the world. Lord Northington pronounced him one of the ablest and most learned judges that ever adorned the profession. Mr. Justice Grose declared he was one of the most able lawyers that ever sat in Westmin- ster Hall; as correct, as learned, and as liumane a judge as ever graced the bench of justice. Lord Kenyon said, that the operations of his vast mind always called for the greatest attention to any work that bears his name. In Ilerries v. Jamieson, alluding to a case cited from Ventris, in argument, the same great judge observed, that it ought not to be treated lightly, or overturned, without great consideration, because it had the sanction of Lord's Hale's name; and in the King against Suddis, he mentioned him as one of the greatest and best men who ever sat in judg- ment. Sir Samuel Shepherd mentioned him as the most learned man that ever adorned the bench ; the most even man that ever blessed 359