BY JOHN FREDERICK ARCHBOLD, Esq. OF LINCOLN'S INN, BARRISTER AT LAW. VOL. I. LONDON: FLEET STREET, 1831. PREFACE To the Second Edition. This little work has long been out of print; and I regret that I have not before this had an opportunity of preparing a new edition. Mr. Clarkson, who did me the favour of editing the first edition, at a time when I had no leisure to do it myself, has been prevented by his professional avocations from affording me his valuable assistance upon this occasion; and my own engagements left me little time to devote to it. I have, however, applied myself incessantly to it, in the intervals of business, particularly during the present vacation, and I have at length been enabled to accomplish it. And the reader will find that I have not done it carelessly ; I estimate too highly the very kind and flattering manner in which the Profession receive my works, ever to be guilty of carelessness in preparing them for publication : in the present instance, I have rewritten nearly the whole of the work, and for that purpose have been obliged to consult and examine with attention all the authorities (to the number of lassad 3 nearly 2000) which are cited in it,--a task which has occupied more time, and required more labour, than the reader will possibly give me credit for. If, however, it be found that I have performed this task carefully and correctly, and that the work itself answers the purpose for which it was originally intended, I shall have no cause to regret the labour it has cost me, or the pains I have bestowed upon it. J. F. A. 5, Chuncery Lane. |