a Smith, Alfred, St Swithin's lane, Auctioneer. July 12 at 3 at offices of Dixon and Co, Bedford row Smith, Alfred, and Frank Burgwin, Burton-on-Trent, Builders. Stokes, John Westley, Smethwick, Stafford, Commission Agent. Taunton, William Frederick, Bouverie st, Fleet st, Journalist. July 5 at 3 at the Cannon st Hotel, Cannon st. Savidge, Eastcheap Taylor, John Richard Algernon, Church place, Jermyn st, Surgeon. July 5 at 3 at offices of Stokes, Chancery lane Thomas, Evan, Ystalyferra, Glamorgan, Tailor. July 6 at 1 at offices Thurstun, William Bass, Hamstreet, Kent, Grocer. July 12 at 2.30 July 9 at 11 at offices of Topham, Thomas, Moss, Campsall, York, Licensed Victualler. July 9 at 2 at offices of Kenyon and Son, Thorne. Burdekin and Co Vooght, William, and Walter Anderson Vooght, Gladstone terrace, Kilburn, Bakers. July 9 at 4 at offices of Young and Sons, Mark lane. Tatton, Lower Phillimore place, Kensington Wainwright, Richard, Wavertree, nr Liverpool, Butcher. July 9 at 2 at offices of Bartlett, Dale st, Liverpool Warner, Thomas, Warwick, Draper. July 15 at 2 at offices of Sanderson, Church st, Warwick Watt, George, and Robert Allison Watt, Morpeth, Northumberland, Engineers. July 7 at 3 at offices of Nicholson, Bridge st, Morpeth Whalley, David, Blackburn, Lancashire. out of business. July 7 at 3 at offices of Addleshaw and Warburton, Norfolk st, Manchester Whitehouse, Thomas, Warwick, Broker. July 12 at 12 at the Bowl. ling Green Hotel, Bowling Green st, Warwick. Hesp, Warwick Whittles, James Lawson, and John Lawson Whittles, Bradford, York, Coal Merchants. July 2 at 11 at offices of Peel and Gaunt, Chapel lane, Bradford Wilkes, George, Walsall, Stafford, Chain Manufacturer. July 7 at 11 at offices of Rhodes, Queen st, Wolverhampton Willett, Abraham, Rock Ferry, Cheshire, Plumber, July 8 at 2 at offices of Harris and Gorst, Union court, Castle st, Liverpool Wright, Thomas Henry, and Thomas Charlton, Queen Victoria st, Asphalte Manufacturers. July 6 at 2 at offices of Kennedy, Warwick court, Gray's inn Yates, William, Barnoldswick, York, Boot Maker. July 5 at 1 at the Thatched House Hotel, New Market place, Manchester. Hartley, Burnley TUESDAY, June 29, 1880, Aldridge, James, Tyrrell rd, Peckham rye, House Decorator. July Baily, Thomas Canning, Hogarth rd, Earl's Court, Stationer. July ham Berzynski, Jacob, Leeds, Tailor. July 13 at 3 at offices of Brooke, Bridgman, Henry Thomas, Charlton Kings, Gloucester, Grocer. Burgess, Henry, Burnley, Lancaster, Chair Maker. July 13 at 3 at the Exchange Hotel, Nicholas st, Burnley. Sutcliffe, Burnley Burrows, Wiliam Sellars, Tickbill, York, Grocer. July 7 at 12 at offices of Mellor, Queen st, Sheffield Callandar, James, Darlington, Durham, Travelling Draper. July 16 at 3 at offices of Wilkes, Northgate, Darlington Carruthers, David, Salford, Lancaster, Boot Maker. July 12 at 3 at offices of Cobbett and Co, Brown st, Manchester Cave, Charles Thomas, Hayes Bridge, Southall, Grocer. July 13 at 12 at offices of Lay, Town hall, Brentford Chadwick, James Henry, Ferry Bridge, York, Grocer. July 12 at 3 at the Foresters' Room, Crown ct, Wakefield. Mander and Son, Wakefield Cheeseman, William Stookley, Wandsworth rd, Grocer. July 19 at 3 at offices of Cook and Smith, Adelaide bldngs, London bridge. Pattison and Co, Queen Victoria st Chiverton, James, Ryde, Wine Merchant. July 13 at 3 at offices of Fardell, Cambrian House Offices, Market st, Ryde Cloke, Herbert John, South Ashford, Kent, Grocer. July 16 at 1 at offices of Hallett and Co, Ashford Copley, William, Wakefield, York, Innkeeper. July 13 at 3 at the Foresters' Room, Crown ct, Wakefield. Mander and Son, Wakefield Costiff, John, New Swindon, Wilts, Draper. July 6 at 10 at offices of Jackson, Albion bidngs, New Swindon Cowood, Joseph, and Thomas Cowood, Castleford, York, Provision Merchants. July 5 at offices of Roose and Price, North John st, Liverpool, in lieu of place originally named Croxton, William, Hanley, Stafford, Licensed Victualler. July 8 at 11 at offices of Tennant and Co, Cheapside, Hanley Danson, Henry, Bradford-cum-Beswick, near Manchester, Beer Retailer. July 12 at 3 at offices of Rigg, South King st, Manchester Daubney, David, Lavenby, Lincoln, Butcher. July 7 at 10 at offices of Page, jun, Flaxengate Dennison, Henry, Aston-juxta-Birmingham, out of business. July 10 at 11 at offices of Plant, Cannon st, Birmingham Dinham, William Henry, Barton-upon-Irwell, near Manchester. July 13 at 11 at offices of Hutchinson, Bull's Head chambers, Market st Manchester. Needham, Blackburn Drewett, George, New Maldon, Surrey, Builder. July 13 at 11 at offices of Kempster, Lower Kennington lane, Lambeth Edge, Charles, Kidsgrove, Stafford, Boot and Shoe Maker. July 8 at 11.30 at offices of Sherratt, Kidsgrove Ferenbach, Albert, and Martin Howry, Bradford, York, Jewellers. Glover, William Asquith, Dewsbury, York, Boot Manufacturer. Gray, William, Carlton Iron Works, nr Stockton-on-Tees, Grocer. July 6 at 11 at offices of Catchpole, Argyle buildings, Wilson st, Middlesborough Grimsley, Henry Samuel, and Frederick Grimsley, Oxford, Sculp tors. July 13 at 12 at offices of Bickerton, St Michael's chambers, Ship st, Oxford Hammick, Thomas, Torquay, Devon, Master Mariner. July 9 at II at offices of Carter and Son, Cary buildings, Abbey rd, Torquay Hargreaves, James, Clitheroe, Lancaster, Draper. July 16 at 10.30 at Old Bull Hotel, Church st, Blackburn. Eastham, Clitheroe Harrison, William Shaw, Halifax, Coal Merchant. July 9 at 11 at offices of Walshaw, Crown st chambers, Halifax Hatchard, Edward, Croydon, Commercial Traveller. July 9 at 4 at Old White Hart Inn, High st, Borough Hayward, Walter, Ashton Keynes, Wilts, Slater. July 6 at 12 at 6, Albion buildings, New Swindon. Jackson Henton, Nicholas, Llanllawddog, Carmarthen, Carpenter. July 13 10.30 at offices of Griffiths, St Mary st, Carmarthen Henzell, Septimus Decimus, Hulme, Manchester, Common Brewer. July 12 at 3 at offices of Britson and Grundy, Princess st, Manchester Hepworth, Burton Joseph, Brougtom, Salford, Commercial Clerk. Hill, Hezekiah Elijah, Walsall, Stafford, Butcher. July 9 at 12 at offices of Bill, Bridge st, Walsall Huey, William Duckworth, Liverpool, Restaurant Proprietor. July 11 at 2 at offices of Forrest, Fenwick st, Liverpool Hunt, Arthur, Bristol, Livery Stable Keeper. July 14 at 11 at offices of Freedman, and Co, Victoria st, Bristol. Willmott, Bristol Jefferson, Ebenezer Walker, Hastings, Chemist. July 2 at 11.30 at 12, Southampton buildings Chancery lane. Meadows and Elliott, Hastings Jelf, George, Doverdale, Worcester, Farmer. July 14 at 12 at offices Judd, John, sen, Barnstaple, Devon. Tea Dealer. July 17 at 2 at cester Linton, John, Birmingham, out of business. July 9 at 11 at offices of Eden, Bennett's hill, Birmingham Long, Albert, Ricketts, Blagdon, Somerset, Yeoman. July 9 at 3 at Malcom, John, Measham, Derby, Ironmonger. July 8 at 12 at offices Mansfield, Edwin, Bath, Bath, Plasterer. July 12 at 11 at offices of Tunstall McNolty, John, Walsall, Beerseller. July 12 at 3 at offices of East, Temple st, Birmingham Mercer, John, Preston, Lancashire, Milliner. July 12 at 3 at offices of Forshaw and Parker, Cannon st, Preston Mewtown, John, Burlawn, Cornwall, Timber Dealer. July 8 at 3 at Molesworth Arms Hotel, Wadebridge. Male and Creber, Wadebridge Monk, William John, Belchalwell, Dorset, Cattle Dealer. July 10 at 3 at offices of Brennand, Blandford Morrell, Henry, Birmingham, Metal Spinner. July 12 at 3 at offices of Mathews and Smith, Waterloo st, Birmingham Morris, Frederick, Salford, Lancashire, Dyer. July 20 at 2.30 at offices of Weston and Co, Norfolk st, Manchester Nield, William, Fenchurch st, Coffee Dealer. July 15 at 3 at offices of Saffery and Company, Old Jewry. Jackson and Prince, Can non st O'Malia, Anthony, Newport, Salop, Licensed Victualler. July 10 at 11.30 at the Old Bell Inn, Newport. Taylor, Wellington Parry, Edward, Llanerchymedd, Anglesey, Saddler. July 14 at 12.30 at the Queen Hotel, Chester. Dew, Llangefni Piggott, George, jun, Albert terrace, Kilburn, Greengrocer. July 3 at 3 at offices of Fox, St Mary's sq, Paddington Rapley, William, High st, Clapham, Corn Chandler- July 19 at 2 at offices of Pannell and Co, Basinghall st. Beard and Sons, Basinghall st Riley, James, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, Corn Miller. July 12 at 2 at offices of Roose and Price, North John st, Liverpool Roberts, Eleazar Hafod Bilston, Denbigh, Farmer. July 16 at 12 at he Wynnstay Arms Hotel, Wrexham. Adams, Ruthin Robinson, Tom, Ossett, York, Dyer. July 9 at 3 at offices of Stapleton, Union st, Dewsbury Rochfort, Walter Mingay, Wilberforce rd, Hornsey, Medical Practitioner. July 8 at 3 at offices of Lloyd, Finsbury chambers, London wall Ryder, John, Pudsey, nr Leeds, Wool Merchant. July 6 at 10 at offices of Neill, Kirkgate, Bradford Sales, James, Streatham common, Bootmaker. July 13 at 3 at offices of Lovett and Co, King William st Searell, Charles, North Greenwich Station, Cubitt Town, Slater. July 7 at 12 at offices of Stoneham and Legge, Philpot lane Sidgreaves, Thomas Atkinson, Manchester, Estate Agent. July 20 at 3 at offices of Tucker, York st, Manchester Smith, WIlliam Robert, Cardiff, Draper. July 15 at 12 at office of Tribe and Co, Moorgate st bldngs, Moorgate st. Heard, Cardiff Sparrow, Henry, Norwich, Butcher. July 10 at 12 at offices of Emerson, Rampant Horse st, Norwich Stenton, Tom, Barnsley, York, Innkeeper. July 12 at 11 at offices of Marshall and Ownsworth, Church st, Barnsley Stewart, Adamı, Southport, Lancaster, Bookseller. July 22 at 11 at offices of Kerr, Faulkner st, Manchester. Wellsby and Co, South port Swaine, Alfred, Hildersthorpe, York, Painter. July 10 at 11 at offices of Wray, Market pl, Bridlington Taylor, James, York, Tobacconist. July 14 at 12 at offices of Wilkinson, St Helens sq, York Taylor, Joseph, Columbia rd, Hackney rd, Grocer. July 15 at 2 at offices of Vernon, Moorgate st Thompson, John, Ardwick, near Manchester, out of business. July 9 at 3 at offices of Noel, Cannon st, Manchester. Tremewen, Manchester Tompsett, Harry, Robertsbridge, Sussex, Merchant. July 13 at 11.30 at the George Inn, Robertsbridge. Philcox, Burwash Walters, William, Britannia, Glamorgan, Grocer. July 15 at 12 at offices of Rosser, High st, Pontypridd Ward, Wallace Richard, Wandsworth rd, Furniture Dealer. July 21 at 12 at offices of Moss, Gracechurch st Warde, George, Leeds, Grocer, July 9 at 3 at Law Institute, Albionpl, Leeds. Watson, Leeds Waterfield, Joseph Horton, William Henry Waterfield, and Benjamin Waterfield, Upper Gornal, Stafford, Fire Brick Manufacturers. July 12 at 11 at Five Ways inn, Lower Gornal. Gould and Elcock, Stourbridge Wheeler, John, Blaenavon, Monmouth, Grocer. July 10 at 12 at offices of Gibbs and Llewelyn, Bridge st, Newport Wheeler, Samuel, East Croydon, Surrey, Milkman. July 8 at 11 at Green Dragon Hotel, High st, Croydon. Dennis, Croydon Whitaker, Harriet, and Hannah Starford, Leeds, Grocers. July 9 at 3 at offices of Lodge and Rhodes, Park row, Leeds To Hajesty, the Lord Chancellor, the Whole of the Judicial Bench Corporation of London, &c. SOLICITORS' AND REGISTRARS' GOWNS. BARRISTERS' AND QUEEN'S COUNSEL'S DITTO, CORPORATION ROBES UNIVERSITY & CLERGY GOWNS, ZC ESTABLISHED 1689. 94. CHANCERY LANE. LONDON. TIMSON'S LIST of PROPERTIES for SALE Particulars inserted without charge. It is the recognized medium for selling or purchasing property by private contract.-Mr. STIMSON, Auctioneer, Surveyor, and Valuer, 2, New Kent-road, S.E. WELL-SECURED INVESTMENT of £1,250 per Annum.-Messrs. Fuller, Horsey, Sons, & Co. are instructed by Executors to SELL, by Private Contract, a NET RENTAL of £1,250 per annum, arising from extensive freehold. premises in a neighbourhood increasing in value, and adjacent to the railway depots, the Docks, and the River Thames. Let on lease to a most responsible firm for an unexpired term of 18 years, at the expiration of which time a considerable augmentation may be expected. Will be sold to pay 4 per cent. per annum.-For further particulars apply to Messrs. FULLER, HORSEY, SONS, & Co., 11, Billiter-square, London, E.C. GROUND RENTS. Freehold. Amply Secured. £31 per annum. One collection. Five houses. Rack rentals £167. Price, £741.-Also, £37 per annum. One collection. Six houses. Rack rentals £200. Price, £888.-Full particulars of Mr. THOMSON, 57, Moorgate-street, E.C. MONEY.-£12,000 and other sums ready to be ad vanced on Mortgages of Frecholds or long Leaseholds.Apply to Messrs. NEVE & RUTTER, Solicitors, Wolverhampton. CITY PRINTER intends establishing a Law Stationer's Office near Temple Bar, and requires one or several parties having £3,000. Limited liability if desired. Eligible premises. Liberal interest guaranteed, and share in profits. Thoroughly bona fide undertaking. No agents.-Letters to LAW STATIONER, at Horncastle's, 61, Cheapside, E.C. Widdrington, William Joseph, North st, Wandsworth, Draper. July Taxation on very Moderate Terms by a practical Solicitor of 15 at 12 at offices of Jones, High st, Wandsworth Williams, James Emery, Portishead, Somerset, Licensed Victualler. July 12 at 2 at offices of Silby, Exchange West, Bristol Williams, John, Holyhead, Anglesea, Grocer. July 13 at 2 at offices of Roberts, Bangor Wilson, Aaron, Chorley, Lancaster, Grocer. July 12 at 11 at offices of Stanton, High st, Chorley Wilson, Harry Paul, St Paul's, Bristol, Draper. July 12 at 2 at offices of Beckingham, Broad st, Bristol Wootton, Thomas Davis, Wolverhampton, Silk Mercer. July 12 at 11 at offices of Willcock, Queen st, Wolverhampton AW COSTS Drafted and Settled for Delivery or many years' experience. Highest references given.-Address, R. R., Mr. Eves, 27, Southampton-buildings, Chancery-lane, London, W.. AW.-Wanted by the Advertiser, aged 28 (not admitted), a Situation in a Solicitor's Office as Conveyancing and General Clerk; is well up in Probate and Divorce work, and SCHWEITZER'S COCOATINA, knows Somerset House thoroughly well. Salary moderate. Country Anti-Dyspeptic Cocoa or Chocolate Powder. Guaranteed Pure Soluble Cocoa of the Finest Quality, with the excess of fat extracted. not objected to.-Address W. T., care of Messrs. Pearson & Son, No. 26, Bishopsgate-street Within, E.C. The Faculty pronounce it "the most nutritious, perfectly digestible WANTED, a CONVEYANCING CLERK, not beverage for Breakfast, Luncheon, or Supper, and invaluable for Invalids and Children.' Highly commended by the entire Medical Press. Being without sugar, spice, or other admixture, it suits all palates, keeps better in all climates, and is four times the strength of cocoas THICKENED yet WEAKENED with starch, &c., and IN REALITY CHEAPER than such Mixtures. Made instantaneously with boiling water, a teaspoonful to a Breakfast Cup, coating less than a halfpenny. COCOATINA A LA VANILLE is the most delicate, digestible, cheapest Vanilla Chocolate, and may be taken when richer chocolate is prohibited. In tin packets at 1s. 6d., 3s., 5s. 6d., &c., by Chemists and Grocers, Charities on Special Terms by the Sole Proprietors, H. SCHWEITZER & CO., 10, Adam-street, London, W.C. MR. G. H. JONES, SURGEON DENTIST, 57, GREAT RUSSELL-STREET, LONDON (Opposite the British Museum), Will be glad to orward his Pamphlet on Painless Dentistry, free enclosed by post, which explains the most unique systern of the adjus ment of ARTIFICIAL TEETH without pain. CONSULTATION FREE FROM 10 TO 5. Articled. Must be accustomed to conduct Business with very slight supervision. Strictest references required.-Apply by letter, stating qualifications, experience, and salary required, to A. B., Churchman's Library, Hammersmith, W. BATEMAN NAPIER, Clifford's-inn (the Scott) Scholarship for the year 1876, and Conveyancing Gold Medallist, prepares Students, both privately and in class, for the Preliminary, Intermediate, and Final. Students are also carefully prepared through the post. Thirty-four pupils out of the last 38 sent up have been successful. Several gentlemen are now reading, and the regular classes for November commence on Tuesday, the 10th of August.-For terms, &c., apply, No. 1, Mitre-court-buildings, King's Bench-walk, Temple, E.C. A RESPECTABLE WOMAN Wants Offices. Husband working at a club. Good references, if required.-M. B., 8, Baxendale-street, Hackney-road. TO SOLICITORS.-OFFICES.-Most commodious Suite of Offices to Let (First Floor) at 66, Coleman-street, B.C. Third Floor also if required.-Apply to the HOUSEKEEPER. THURGOOD & CO., Estate and Land Agents lane, W.C., hold PERIODICAL SALES of Property, at the MART, the Second Tuesday in each month. Railway, School Board, Corporation, Board of Works, and other Compensations conducted. Valuations for Probate, Mortgages, &c. Estates managed. A scale of charges upon application. MESSRS. DEBENHAM, TEWSON & FARMER'S LIST of ESTATES and HOUSES to be SOLD or LET, including Landed Estates, Town and Country Residences, Hunting and Shooting Quarters, Farms, Ground Rents, Rent Charges, House Property and Investments generally, is published on the first day of each month, and may be obtained. free of charge, at their offices, 80, Cheapside, E C., or will be sent by post in return for two stamps.-Particulars for inse tion shoulde be received not later than four days previous to the end f the precding month. B ESTABLISHED 1851. IRKBECK BANK.Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane. Current Accounts opened according to the usual practice of other Bankers, and Interest allowed on the minimum monthly balances when not drawn below £25. No commission charged for keeping Accounts The Bank also receives money on Deposit at Three per cent. Interest, repayable on demand. The Bank undertakes for its Customers, free of charge, the custody of Deeds, Writings, and other Securities and Valtables; the collection of Bids of Exchange, Dividends, and Coupons; and the purchase and sale of Stocks and Shares. Letters of Credit and Circular Notes issued. A Pamphlet, with full particulars, on application. 31st March, 1880. FRANCIS RAVENSCROFT, Manager. RESTAURANT PARISIEN (LATE MADME. JANET), 10, CASTLE-STREET, HOLBORN (OPPOSITE THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY). First-class Luncheon Bar for gentlemen in the neighbourbood. Public and Private Dining Rooms. Dinners for 38. 6d., 4s. 6d., 5s. 6d., 78. 6d., and 10s. 6d. Will be served in the Private Dining Rooms; no extra charge for room or pianoforte. Choicest Wines, Beer, and Spirits.Proprietors, DORER BROTHERS. PARTRIDGE AND COOPER, LAW AND GENERAL STATIONERS, 1 & 2, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON, E.C. Law Copying and Engrossing. Deeds and Writings engrossed and copied on the Premises, with STATEMENTS OF CLAIM AND DEFENCE, AFFIDAVITS, and LITHOGRAPHY. ABSTRACTS, BRIEFS, PETITIONS, DRAFTS, MINUTES OF PARCHMENT AND LEGAL PAPERS. YATES & ALEXANDER, General Printers, Lons dale Buildings, 27, Chancery-lane, immediately opposite the Chancery-lane Post-office. LAW, Parliamental, Chambery lone TATEMENTS of Claim and Defence, Affidavits GLASGOW and the HIGHLANDS.-Royal Route, via Crinan and Caledonian Canals, by new swift steamer COLUMBA or the IONA, from Bridge Wharf, Glasgow, daily at 7 a.m., and from Greenock at 9 a.m., conveying Passengers for Oban, North and West Highlands. Official Guide Book 2d., Illustrated Copy 6d.-Bill, with map and tourist fares free, at Messrs. CHATTO & WINDUs, Publishers, 214, Piccadilly, London, or by post free from DAVID MACBRAYNE, 119, Hope-street, Glasgow. A PARAGRAPH in the report of the Incorporated Law Solicitors' Journal. Society for the present year again calls attention to the eraployment of law stationers to transact non-contentious business in the Probate Division, and intimates that the council are proceeding to put in force the provisions of the Stamp Act, 1870, and the Solicitors Act, 1860, against certain leading firms of law stationers. The provision of the Stamp Act (section 59) imposes a penalty of £50 on every person who "directly or indirectly acts or practises in any court as an attorney, solicitor proctor, &c., without having in force at the time a duly stamped certificate"; such penalty to be sued for by information in the name of the Attorney-General. The Solicitors Act, 1860, provides (section 26) that every person who "in anywise acts as a proctor in or with respect to any proceeding in the Court of Probate without being duly qualified so to act, shall be deemed guilty of a contempt of the court in which the matter or proceeding in relation to which he so acts is brought, had, or taken, and may be punished accordingly, . . and shall, in addition to any other penalty or forfeiture, forfeit and pay for any such offence the sum of £50." The Associated Provincial Law Societies last year passed a resolution that the practice of employing persons other than solicitors or proctors to act as agents in proceedings in the Probate Court was improper, and should be discouraged. Probably sufficient discouragement will be afforded before long by the result of the proceedings taken by the council. THE COMMON PLEAS DIVISION had before them last week a point of much nicety, upon which they were divided in opinion. The point turned upon 37 & 38 Vict. c. 62, the Act which provides that no ratification, after full age, of a contract made during infancy shall form a ground of action. The action was for breach of promise of marriage, and it appeared that a promise of marriage had been made by the defendant when an infant; that the conduct of the parties had been to one another that of engaged persons for some years; and that, subsequently to the defendant's coming of age, they had definitely fixed the wedding day. The question was whether there was evidence to go to the jury of a new promise, or merely of a ratification of the old promise. Lord Coleridge, C.J., thought that there was no evidence of a fresh promise, but Denman and Lindley, JJ., thought otherwise. The question of what constitutes the difference between ratification and fresh promise under this statute is a most subtle and annoying one. The view of Lord Coleridge seems to be almost that an old promise is exclusive of the supposition of any new promise, except one in express terms. His argument is, that the parties were really acting with reference to the old promise. When the day was fixed for the marriage neither of them, in fact, contemplated any new promise. It may be admitted that certain facts would be evidence of a promise made after full age, if there were no question of a former promise made before full age; but it is argued that, there being an existing promise, the parties are, in fact, acting with reference to that. It seems to us that "ratification" in its natural signification merely means election to affirm a voidable contract, and does not properly apply in any case where there is a fresh consideration moving from the other party after the attainment by the infant of his majority. In the case in question it appeared that after that event the one party had remained under a contractual relation at the request of the other, in consideration that the other would remain under the same contractual relation. This is, as we think, not mere ratification, but evidence of a new promise, though there was an old promise. Ratification is, we are disposed to think, when there is no ground for an obligation after the coming of age, except the election of the promissor to be bound. There are, however, certain words in the statute which seem entirely to prevent the interpretation we should otherwise propose of the word "ratification," as distinguished from a fresh promise. The words are "whether there shall or shall not be any new consideration for such ratification after full age." These words make us doubt whether Lord Coleridge was not right. The spirit of the Act seems to be that under no pretext, and in no point of view whatever, shall a person who promised in infancy be made liable; that not only shall an infant not be bound by a promise made during infancy, but that he shall be freed from the operation of it more completely by not being able, under any circumstances, to elect to act upon, and be bound by it. The idea may be that the promiser is otherwise in danger of not being effectually protected. Under the pressure of the existence of the former promise, the promiser is easily induced or entangled into being party to some transaction which amounts to a ratification, and so may be bound to fulfil a promise lightly made without sufficient experience, but the fulfilment of which may ruin his whole future life. In this point of view, the intention may have been as far as possible to make him entirely free, and to insure his being put in the same position as if there never had been a promise. And to effect this, when there has been a previous express promise, it may be that nothing can be evidence of a fresh promise, as distinct from a ratification, but an express and absolutely distinct fresh promise. IN COMMENTING, some months since, on the case of Worthington's Trade-Mark, in which the applicants were refused leave to register a triangular mark for beer on the ground that, if coloured red, it might interfere with the red triangle of Messrs. Bass, which, as registered, appeared to be a mere triangular black blotch, we expressed an opinion that it would be well for trade-marks to be registered in the colours in which they were used. This view receives some confirmation from the case of Mitchell v. Henry, noted in another column. That case brings forcibly to light the fact that there is a class of trade-marks, extensively employed in an important trade, which consist solely in colour-that is to say, the trade-marks which consist of arrangements of various coloured threads running through some portion of the edge of a piece of cotton or worsted goods. It is obvious that such trade-marks could not possibly be advertised prior to registration in the usual way, since they would all appear to be the same were they printed in plain black and white; accordingly the registrar, under the powers conferred on him by the Trade-Marks Rules, merely inserts in the Official Journal a description of the mark, which is itself deposited for inspection at the Patent Office Museum at South Kensington. Of such marks then, as advertised and registered, colour is an integral and essential feature, and it is difficult to see why manufacturers in other trades should be prohibited from also availing themselves of the colours which may be scarcely less integral or essential a part of their trade-marks. If a piece of cloth can be deposited at South Kensington, why cannot a paper label ? If that were done, manufacturers' trade-mark rights would be much more easily ascertainable. ONE OF THE SPEAKERS at a meeting held last February with reference to the Forfeiture Relief Bill pointed out that, but for the introduction in all conditions of sale of the provision that the last receipt for rent should be conclusive evidence of the performance of the covenants in a lease (which in truth it was not), it would practically be impossible to force the sale of any lease upon a purchaser. It may be worth while to notice that this condition is in process of being considerably increased in stringency. The most recent form we have seen in actual use provides that the last receipt "shall alone be conclusive evidence (and exclude evidence to the contrary) of the due observance and performance of the covenants, provisoes, and conditions contained in the said lease down to the completion of the purchase, including the interval between the contract for sale and such completion, and of the waiver, as at the time of completion, of any breach of covenant (if any) committed (whether continuing or otherwise, and whether appearing by the abstract or otherwise or not), and no evidence shall be required of the fact of the person or persons receiving such rent being entitled so to receive the same respectively." All that seems to be wanted to make the condition complete is a provision that the last receipt shall be conclusive evidence of the due observance and performance of the covenants in the lease “notwithstanding the lessor may have given notice of his intention to take advantage of a forfeiture incurred." Would the longsuffering purchaser swallow even this provision ? A VERY SMALL BILL, introduced into the House of Commons by Dr. Cameron, proposes to provide that, "whenever any expression of time occurs in any Act of Parliament, deed, or other legal instrument, the time referred [to] shall, unless it is otherwise specifically stated, be held, in the case of Great Britain, to be Greenwich mean time, and in the case of Ireland, Dublin mean time. We do not see why Scotland should not have been allowed an Edinburgh mean time, but as regards England the change proposed would probably be convenient. Railway time is now the time by which we keep our clocks, and railway time is Greenwich time. CONCERNING SOLICITORS LETTERS. CONSIDERING how large a part of the life of every solicitor is spent in writing or dictating letters, it is surprising how little attention is sometimes paid to the systematic instruction of the articled clerk in this important part of his duty. In most offices, no doubt, he is gradually intrusted with the routine correspondence relating to matters which are placed in his hands, his letters being looked over by the managing clerk or one of the principals, but (speaking, of course, as we must, from our own knowledge) he is comparatively seldom allowed to try his hand on a letter of real importance, requiring much skill and thought. If he is a man of energy and acuteness he may follow the progress of a matter through the letter-book and observe for himself the mode in which difficulties are met and unpalatable proposals laid before the proposee in their least obnoxious form; but the ordinary articled clerk either fancies he has his hands too constantly full of work, or is too indifferent, to undertake the critical examination of letters which have to be sought for among a mass of commonplace correspondence. And so it happens that many solicitors have to learn the art of letter writing after they commence practice and at the expense of their clients. We cannot pretend to supply the needs of the articled clerk, or to furnish any novel suggestions to the experienced practitioner, but it has occasionally occurred to us that some very simple hints on the subject might not be absolutely useless. If those of our readers who are masters in the epistolary art think our suggestions rudimentary, we must beg them to believe that experience in receiving and perusing letters has not convinced us that they are needless. On the contrary, experience has taught us that while many solicitors can write capital letters of one or two kinds, there are comparatively few who are good all-round letter writers. For the art of solicitors' letter writing is divisible into many branches, requiring distinct treatment. Let us take one or two of them, reserving the others for possible future consideration. In letters written by one solicitor to another on ordinary business matters nothing more appears to be necessary than clearness and conciseness, and a courteous assumption of the technical knowledge of the correspondent. The letter is to be read by a busy man; hence the meaning |