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though the student may derive some assistance from this collection, yet he must not be thereby induced to refrain from taking, or at least analysing other Pleadings, according to the course which his own judgment, or that of a friend more experienced, may suggest.

The utility of a work of this description must depend on the mode in which the subject is arranged, the correctness of the positions supported by legal decisions, for selection of the best authorities, and the facility of access by means of a full and accurate Index. To these points, therefore, I have endeavored to pay attention, and, besides the Reports which I have consulted, the reader is frequently referred to the Digests and Elementary writers. Indeed, it was impracticable to write on the subject upon which the authors alluded to had touched, without occasionally finding some parts pre-occupied, and the matter so ably treated of as to leave it open to me to do little more than enlarge upon, and arrange such parts of the subject according to my own plan. When this has occurred, I have considered that it would be the most candid mode of acknowledging the assistance I have derived from these works, and at the same time most useful to the profession, if, in the notes, I referred to those authors, in addition to the reported decisions, sanctioning my own view of the subject by the weight of their authority.

The kindness of my friends has so engaged me in professional avocations, that I have with difficulty prepared this work for publication, and the various interruptions which I have experienced, must, I fear, have occasioned some inaccuracies, for which, however, I hope the candour of the reader will make allowance.

Temple, 7th November,

A. D. 1808.

J. CHITTY.

intermediate agents, 97

D

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