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THE GREEN BAG

which the cases are studied and used. Little changes will result from the increase in the number of cases habitually studied and issued as illustrations and valuable only for the principles embodied and applied. This course must now be adopted more generally and applied more vigorously if the law is not to be lost in the mere accumulation of cases. Before proceeding to discuss the efficacy in

preserving unity of this method of dealing with the precedents Judge Schofield considers the results of a conspicuous case where the court failed to follow principle — Lawrence v. Fox. The difficulties arising from this erroneous decision allowing a third person to sue upon a contract illustrate the way in which incorrect decisions cause variations in the law. This discussion closes the present installment.