Page:Marvin, Legal Bibliography, 1847.djvu/98

 BAG merit. The sixth edition, in 1807, is merely a reprint of the former one. The first American edition of Bacon, was published in 1809, in 7 vols. Svo. It was edited by Bird Wilson, and purported to contain the addi- tions of the late English and American decisions. The additions were not numerous nor of much value, and contain many typographical errors. The seventh English edition appeared in 1832. Several editors were concerned in the preparation of the work. It was no inconsiderable labor to incorporate into the various titles the decisions which had been accumulating for more than thirty years. This however, was satisfac- torily performed. Sir Henry Gwillim prepared vols. 2, 3 and 4, when the bad state of his healtli compelled him to abandon the work. Vols. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, and the addenda to the other vols., were prepared by C. E. Dodd, assisted by Mr. Blanshard, from Legacies and Devises to Mono- poly. To this edition another volume was added, and all of the other volumes were much enlarged. The second American edition of Bacon appeared in 1842-46, in 10 vols., edited by John.Bouvier, a gentle- man well known to the profession as the author of an excellent Law Dictionary. This is a reprint of the last English edition, with the anno- tations of all previous editors, and copious references to the American decisions down to the time of publication. In the first three vols, the editor confined his annotations to the American decisions only, but in the remaining vols, he refers to the late English as well as American Reports. This edition of Bacon is by far the best for the American lawyer. Bacon's is not a complete Abridgment of the law, but in its present improved state it will be found a highly valuable and correct book of reference. The authority of Bacon's Abridgment, in its present improved state, is as good as most elementary writers. It is one of the earliest works in which it was attempted to give the result of the decisions upon the various branches of the law, and for this peculiarity has upon several occasions been referred to as a work to be read with caution. This remark would as well apply to four fifths of all law books as to Bacon's Abridgment. Lord Elden cited Bacon as an authority, in 7 Ves. 448 ; see also 2 Blk.'s Com. 323, n., 1 Morgan's Atty. Vade Mecum, Pref. 10. The best accessible source to the old law, is found in Bacon's Abridg- ment, and it must continue to hold a respectable rank in every law^yer's library. Prefaces to the various editions of Bacon ; 7 L. M. 129 ; Woodesson's Elem. of Jurispr. 102; G L. R. 1)1 ; 1 A. L. M. 468; Bridgman's Leg. Bibliography; 1 Kent, 510; Brooks' Bib. Leg. Ang. pt. 2d, 234; 1 Hofi'man's Leg. Study, 325; Warren's Law Studies, 779; 18 Viner's Abridg., Pref. BACON, NATH. Historical and political discourse of the laws and government of England, from the first times to the end of 86