ON THE LAW OF EVIDENCE, AS ADMINISTERED IN ENGLAND AND IRELAND; WITH ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE AMERICAN AND OTHER FOREIGN LAWS. THIRD EDITION. BY JOHN PITT TAYLOR, Esq., JUDGE OF THE COUNTY COURTS FOR LAMBETH, GREENWICH, AND WOOLWICH. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. Longum iter est per præcepta, Breve et efficax per exempla.-SENECA. LONDON: W. MAXWELL, LAW BOOKSELLER AND PUBLISHER, 82, BELL YARD, LINCOLN'S INN; AND HODGES, SMITH, & Co., GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN. 1858. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY LORD BROUGHAM, ETC., ETC., ETC. MY LORD, I dedicate this Work to your Lordship, as a distinguished Statesman, an accomplished Lawyer, and, what I consider a far more illustrious character than either, the most enlightened Law-Reformer of the Age. I have the honour to be, With feelings of real respect and regard, Your Lordship's most obedient Servant, J. PITT TAYLOR. PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. In January, 1842, the first article I ever wrote was published in the "Law Magazine." It was a review of the work of a very eminent man, now no more, and it commenced thus:"Of the first three editions of a law treatise, the third is usually the worst." I little imagined, while writing that sentence, the time would come when it might, by possibility, be quoted against myself. However, what is writ, is writ; and as I am by no means desirous of sharing the fate of Waller's eagle, I have taken more than ordinary pains in endeavouring to make my third edition the best of the three. Whether I have succeeded or not remains to be determined by my professional brethren, who have hitherto evinced towards my shortcomings a truly liberal and kind forbearance. 58, ECCLESTON SQUARE, 31st May, 1858. J. PITT TAYLOR. |