Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 24.pdf/166

 Reviews of Books with which he sets forth principles in the light of their historical origin. If the law shall soon come to occupy a more important place in a liberal edu cation, as we hope it will, Professor Hall's is an exemplary type of the sort of legal text-book for which new methods of university instruction may eventually create a powerful demand. THE LAW IN SHAKSPERE Commentaries on the Law in Shakspere; with explanations of the legal terms used in the plays, poems and sonnets, and discussions of the criminal types presented. By Edward J. White, editor 3d edition of Tiedeman on Real Property, author of Mines and Mining Remedies, Personal Injuries in Mines, Personal Injuries on Railroads, etc. F. H. Thomas Law Book Co., St. Louis. Pp. xviii, 612+ 12 (index). (J3.50 delivered.)

THE lawyer who loves his Shaks pere will get more pleasure than anyone else from this elucidation of the legal side of the Shaksperian plays. He will relish a book which assembles quo tations relating to a given legal topic, and which clears up the meaning of obscure points — the average lawyer, for example, does not know that in the phrase "quillets of the law," quillet is probably a contraction of guodlibet, and there are other terms which can be understood only in the light of legal history. The author draws on a fund of many-sided information which does credit to the fullness of his knowledge and industry. At the same time, the book contains some inaccuracies of quotation, and the explanations are sometimes some what verbose. The work has the merit of advancing beyond tradition in its inter pretations of meanings otherwise ex plained by Shaksperian scholars, but too high a critical standard must not be claimed for it — some of the opinions expressed are not altogether satisfactory. It has the merit, however, of treating the legal aspect of the plays more fully, probably, than has ever been attempted before.

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STOREY'S REFORM OF LEGAL PROCEDURE The Reform of Legal Procedure. By Moorfield Storey. Yale University Press, New Haven; Oxford University Press, London. Pp. 256 + 7 (index). ($1.35 net.)

MR. STOREY, than whom no one occupies a position of higher esteem in the hearts of Boston lawyers, and who is an ex-President of the American Bar Association, delivered the substance of this book in the form of lectures at the Yale Law School in 1911. It is a read able little volume, setting forth the problem of the law's delays in a manner intelligible to the lay reader. The book discusses the evil, and the general means of remedying it, instead of addressing it solely to the task of outlining a definite program of reform. It deals largely in generalities, owing probably to the untrained audience for whom it was pre pared, and the writer's technical knowl edge and ripe experience at the bar bear fruit only in some broad observa tions. Much stress is laid, however, on the need of a higher standard of pro fessional ethics, of a bench more care fully chosen and wielding greater power, and of more competent legislation on subjects connected with the administra tion of the law. SARCASTIC REFLECTIONS Reflections of a Lawyer. By Morris Salem, of the N w York bar. Published by the author. (60 cts.)

SO many topics are covered by Mr. Salem's reflections that his brochure has a miscellaneous character, and an informality and variety which appeal to the interest of the reader. The matter is all drawn from the experience of a New York lawyer, and there are some rather cynical comments on actual conditions in the author's field of prac tice. There are some criticisms which will be heartily approved by those who desire to see an improvement in the