Art. 27. An Abridgement of the Modern Determinations in the Courts of 13s. Boards. Butterworth. 1801. PP. 45% We have more than once observed to our readers, that our opinion of the general merits of this work, both as to plan and execu tion, should be delayed till it was completed. In conformity with that intention, we now only record the publication of the fourth volume. Art. 28. Original Precedents of Settlements, drawn by the most distinguished Conveyancers of the present Day, and now first published under the Direction and Inspection of James Barry Bird, Esq. Author of the Conveyancer's Assistant, &c. 8vo. pp.330. 93. Boards. Clarke and Son. 1800. S.R. S.R. We see nothing in these Precedents to which we can object, but the publication of them appears to us altogether unnecessary after the comprehensive collections of Bridgman, Lilly, and Horsman. These works, from which we have derived on many occasions great and valuable assistance, we cannot be induced to lay aside; though we are informed by the editor of the present volume that they do not contain that vast store of thought, that polish of style, or that essential to every kind of writing, perspicuity, for which modern Precedents are so eminently distinguishe; and though they may be deficient in that elegance and ornament,' for which Mr. Bird is so strenuous an advocate as to wish them to be introduced into works which require only clearness and distinctness, and in which the qualities that he recommends would be misapplied and intolerable. Art. 29. A Digest of the Stamp Laws, and complete Stamp Table; shewing at one View, under distinct Heads, the various Stamp Duties now payable; the Origin, Progress, and present State of those Duties, &c. &c.; and particularising the Specific Duty applicable to Scotland. The whole illustrated with Practical Annotations, Opinions of Counsel, and Extracts from Cases argued in the different Courts of Judicature; also a copious Index. By J. A. Heraud, Law Stationer, &c. 8vo. pp. 330. 9s. Boards. Clarke and Son. 1801. In his address to the Public, Mr. Heraud observes (and we entirely coincide with him) that as the practical tendency of this work must be evident from the title-page, its peculiar nature scarcely requires farther explanation.'-The volume will be found useful, though it cannot be considered as a complete Digest; a deficiency that will be the more easily pardoned, when the voluminous, intricate, and complicated nature of the Stamp-Laws is recollected by the reader. S.R. Art. 30. Abstract of the Cause, just arbitrated between the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal Navigations Company as Plaintiffs, and John Pinkerton as Defendant; stating the Case and Evidence, &c. &c. By 1 By John Pinkerton, Engineer and Canal Contractor. 8vo. It is not uncommon for a man, who refers a matter to arbitration, 8vo. This curious and important trial is here very fully detailed; and we apprehend that the experience and practice of the reporters will insure its accuracy.-In p. 65. 1. 10. however, a material typographical error in the dates caught our attention; 1802 is printed for 1782. Art. 32. S.R. G.2. A few Observations on the present State of the Poor; Art. 33. Remarks on the Poor Laws, and on the State of the Poor. . Art. S.R. Art. 34. An Abstract of Observations on the Poor Laws; with a Of the former publication of this intelligent writer, we gave an ac count in our 29th vol. N. S. p. 458: in the present work, he maintains the same sntiments, and urges the necessity of separating the duties of overseer and collector. The result of Mr. Saunders's deliberations, and the substance of his opinion on this important topic, may be collected from the two following paragraphs. He considers, first, That the present system (by which is meant the law as blended with the practice is very defective in its execution, frequently increasing the evil it was meant to remedy, by supplying the wants of the importunate and profligate, thereby promoting habits of sloth and wretchedness; by leaving the deserving and modest poor unprotected, or compelling them to submit to a disgraceful residence in a work. house, (improperly so called,) associated with vice and infamy; and lastly, by a profuse and increasing expenditure of public money, with a train of consequences fatal in the extreme.' He then proceeds to his second conclusion; That parliament cannot possess the means of legislating with ef fect in improving the poor-laws, or the public derive all that information and advantage which the collected practice of near thirteen thou sand parishes might afford, unless there is an establishment for the purpose of arranging materials, diffusing the knowlege of successful practice, and for furnishing parliament with facts drawn up in a concise form from the unerring source of such extensive information.' Both these topics are discussed in an able and satisfactory manner. The remainder of the pamphlet is occupied in answering some objec.. tions made by Dr. Nasmith to Mr. Saunders's plan: but those objec tions having been already noticed by us in our account of the Doctor's publication, (vide M. R. N. S. Vol. xxxii. p. 95.) we refer our readers to that article. who persons Too much praise cannot easily be bestowed on those devote their leisure to the consideration of a subject, which involves in it the comforts of so many thousands; and the present age S.R. is to be commended for an attention to the wants and condition of the poor, which has not been equalled in any former period. Art. 35. The Law respecting Tithes; comprising all the Cases and Statutes on the Subject of Tithes, &c. &c. Together with all other Matters necessary for the Information of Clergymen, Farmers, and Country Solicitors. By the Author of the Laws of Landlord 3s. sewed. Clarke and Pp. 100. and Tenant, &c. &c. 8vo. Sons. 1801. The subject of tithes has of late years received considerable attention; it has frequently been mentioned in parliament, and has been discussed at length in two extensive publications. The present volume, which is chiefly a compilation from the works of Mr. Wood and Mr. Gwillim, has little to recommend it to the notice of the public; since the very nature of its plan renders it too brief and concise to furnish satisfactory assistance to any description of readers. S.R. REY. APRIL, 1802. Ff Art. Art. 36. The Laws respecting Highways and Turnpike Roads, com- Art. 37. The Laws respecting Commons and Commoners, in which the This work will be found to contain more information, and to be better arranged, than either of the preceding; though it is chargeable, like the other publications of this author, with the fault of introducing too much of the contents of the Statute-book.-A neat and accurate abridgment of the principal regulations enacted by those statutes might be of considerable service to those readers, who are satisfied with a general view of a subject. : Art. 38. The Laws respecting Travellers and Travelling, comprising The By the This treatise contains much information, which will be found useful by the general if not by the professional reader; for it discusses topics in which all ranks of society are interested. The seventh chapter, which treats of the duties of inn-keepers in respect to their guests, is amusing, and may be consulted with advantage, because the principal cases on the subject are introduced and neatly abstracted.As no improper supplement to his work, the author has inserted the Stat. 39 Geo. III. c. 58. which regulates the Porterage of Parcels; and with equal judgment, since it increases the usefulness of his publication, he has added the different Rates of Postage. Though these last have been increased by a late act, yet the information will be found S.R. S.R. found correct, if an addition of one penny be made to each rate; thus, the postage from Bristol is here stated to be 7d. and if one penny be added, the present rate will be immediately discovered. This tract, and the subjects of the three preceding articles, are intitled by the author, Law Selections, and form the second and last S.R. volume of that publication. Art. 39. Precedents of Warrants, Convictions, and other Proceedings, before Justices of the Peace, chiefly original; and containing none that are to be met with in Dr. Burn's Justice, to which this Publication is offered as a Supplement of Practical Forms, interspersed with Notes, References to Cases, and Observations. By Edward Williams, of Lincoln's Inn, Esq. Barrister at Law. 8vo. pp. 670. 9s. Boards. Pheney. 1801. We have frequently had occasion to express our regret at the useless multiplication of law-books, and the present performance furnishes us with an additional opportunity of repeating the complaint. The volume contains little that will be found useful by those gentlemen for whose particular convenience it is represented to have been com piled, and several pages are occupied with matters totally irrelevant to the duties of a Justice of the Peace. S.R. Art. 40. A Compendium of the Law of Evidence. By Thomas Peake, Esq. of Lincoln's Inn, Barrister at Law. 8vo. pp. 190. 6s. Boards. Brooke and Rider. 1801. The subject of this treatise is particularly interesting to every practising Lawyer; and the manner in which it is executed reflects considerable credit on the talents and information of the author.-It is divided into three chapters; in the first of which, the general rules of evidence are discussed; in the second, written evidence is consi dered, comprising the law respecting records, which is chiefly taken from Chief Baron Gilbert's work, public writings not of record, and private writings: the doctrine of parole evidence is treated in the third chapter, in which Mr. Peake points out the incompetency of persons to be witnesses, arising from the imbecility of their understandings, the infamy of their character, their interest in the cause, or their relation to the Parties. In the Appendix, are contained some of the leading cases on the subject of Evidence, and some MS. cases cited in the course of the work. POETIC and DRAMATIC. S.R. An Historical Art. 41. Mutius Scavola; or, the Roman Patriot. 2s. 6d. Badcock. 1801. Drama. By W. H. Ireland. 8vo. This young author, who is already too well known by his concern in the pretended Shakspeare papers, has since ventured to appear at our bar in his own person. Perhaps he will scarcely take it as a compliment, when we say that in the present instance he writes rather better than his own Shakspeare; for we could afford but little praise to king Vortigern and Henry II.-Mutius Scævola, if not a dramatic gem of the first water, may at least be read without laughter; and it will draw no tears, from the excess either of that passion or of its opposite. Ff3 If, |