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Irish Reports, and must be referred to by every one who wishes to have his case law quite up to date. It has, as usual, been carefully and accurately done; but we notice that the very useful collection of "Cases followed, etc.," is by no means exhaustive, as a number of cases are omitted that should have been included.

Lunacy Practice. By N. ARTHUR HEYWOOD and ARNOLD T. MASSEY, M.A. London: Stevens & Sons, Limited. 1900.

This is a very useful little book, intended for the practical use of solicitors who have to advise the relatives of persons of unsound mind, or carry out the necessary steps for the protection of the afflicted individual's person or property. It is eminently practical: gives minute directions as to the procedure, and contains a very useful collection of forms. It must be noted that it does not deal with the question of Reception Orders, etc.

NEW EDITIONS.

Second Edition. Investigation of Title. By W. HOWLAND JACKSON and THOROLD GOSSET, B.A., LL.M. London: Stevens &

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Precedents of Purchase and Mortgage Deeds. By W. HOWLAND JACKSON and THOROLD GOSSET, B.A., LL.M. London: Stevens & Sons, Limited.

1899.

These are companion volumes, and, although the first edition of the Investigation of Title was only published in 1898, a second edition has been called for, and is now issued revised, and considerably added to. The arrangement, which is alphabetical, is a very convenient one, and the information on all the most important points which have to be considered in investigating a title, is very clearly, and as far as we have been able to test it, very accurately given. We do not notice that there are quite sufficient references to the Land Transfer Acts, although in many cases it might be desirable to make searches at the Registries. The accompanying volume is a very handy one, containing nearly seventy carefully drafted Precedents of Purchase and Mortgage Deeds. They are as concisely drawn as is consistent with efficiency, and full advantage has been taken of the power of omitting words, clauses, etc., in consequence of various statutory provisions which are shortly summarized in tabular form in Appendix A. Instead of copious notes,

We

there are full references to the volume of Investigation of Title. think both works will be of great use to those engaged in conveyancing work, and will more than carry out the modest hope of the author that they will "save time and labour."

Second Edition. The Licensing Laws. By R. M. MONTGOMERY. London: Sweet & Maxwell, Limited.

1900.

Mr. Montgomery has not waited for the new legislation, which is looming in the future, before bringing out a new edition. He is probably right, for it is impossible, with so many other engrossing subjects before it, and such very strong differences of opinion among its members, to say when the House of Commons will find time to grapple successfully with so very difficult a question. There are few branches of practice so full of pitfalls for the unwary as that of Licensing, and a careful and accurate work like the one under consideration is invaluable. As might have been expected, the important case of Boulton v. Kent JJ. is frequently cited, and attention called to the unsettling effect this decision has had on what were previously well-established authorities. Some useful additions have been made in the shape of chapters on Covenants in Leases relating to the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors, Covenants to take Liquors from the Landlord, and on Innkeeper's Liability in respect of the goods of his guests. The most recent cases are included, even one decided as lately as the 25th January last being. noted in the Addenda, but the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899, has not been noticed.

Second Edition. Fawcett's Landlord and Tenant. By JOHN MASON LIGHTWOOD, M.A. London: Butterworth & Co.

1900.

Mr. Fawcett has been unable to undertake the production of the present edition of his work, which has accordingly been edited by Mr. Lightwood. It is somewhat increased in size, owing partly to the additional matter necessarily introduced in consequence of recent legislation and decisions, but partly also in consequence of recasting and amplifying parts of the former work. This we think is an improvement, as it was rather too terse before, and it has gained in clearness and distinctness without becoming unduly bulky, and having the distinction of being of a convenient size for reference. The arrangement is good, and, as far as we have been able to test it, the law is well expressed and accurate. We think it would perhaps have been an improvement if rather more attention had been paid

to the law particularly affecting flats, as, owing to the great increase in the numbers of these tenements, the subject becomes one of increasing interest and importance every day.

By ERNEST

Second Edition. Where to find your Law. ARTHUR JELF, M.A. London: Horace Cox. 1900. This is a new and enlarged edition of a work which was only first published in 1897; but it is obvious that to enable this book to maintain its usefulness, it must be republished at short intervals, as it indicates the leading Statutes, Cases, and Text-books on every division and subdivision of English law; it must be so constantly affected by new Acts, books, and editions that it must be a constant labour to the learned editor to keep it noted up. The learning and discrimination shown are beyond exception. We may sometimes differ with Mr. Jelf as to the respective merits of the text-books he recommends or does not recommend, but we have no hesitation in recommending his book as invaluable to any seeker after the authorities on any particular branch of law.

Third Edition. Brown and Theobald's Law of Railways. By J. H. BALFOUR BROWNE, Q.C., and FRANK BALFOUR BROWNE. London Stevens & Sons, Limited. 1899.

The Law of Railways is always growing, and mainly so in consequence of legislation. The most recent and important developments have been in the direction of what may be called State regulation. Since the last edition of the work, the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888, has been passed, which, with the cases decided under it, would alone justify the issue of the present edition, without taking into consideration the fact that other important Acts, such as the Light Railway Act, 1896, have become law since that date. The Acts and Orders are set out in good clear type, and are respectively followed by concise statements of the case law. The necessities of space have rendered this last almost too concise, and certainly it is in too small print to suit the eyes of many people, but most of the cases on the subject are there, quoted accurately, and as fully as the space would permit. Wisely, we think, the Employers' Liability Act has been omitted, but we think the rating of railways, a subject on which Mr. Balfour Browne is so peculiarly qualified to speak, might, with advantage, have been dealt with more fully, and we are rather surprised to notice that the very important case of Stockport Union v. London and North Western Railway Co. is not

referred to. The notes on the Act of 1888 are very good, and it is a great convenience to have all the Acts and Orders relating to such a wide subject, collected in one not very bulky volume, and edited by so experienced a lawyer.

Third Edition. Law and Practice of Divorce. By W. J. DIXON, B.A., LL.M. London: William Clowes & Sons, Limited. 1900,

Mr. Dixon's work treats both of the Law and Practice of Divorce, and deals with them in the order of his title, but the latter subject takes up the greater part of the book, and is much the more fully treated. Not that any branch of the law is neglected, but some parts of it seem to us to be summed up too shortly, and not to give a practitioner consulting the work all the information he might desire on such subjects as jurisdiction, the effect of foreign divorces, and the consequences of the madness of either party. The practice portion is very complete, and as the book also contains the Statutes, Rules and Regulations, and a very complete set of forms, it is an invaluable guide to the practitioner.

Third Edition.

The Law relating to the Custody of Infants. By LOUIS HOCHHEIMER, Baltimore. 1899.

This is an interesting little treatise, as it compares the law of England with that of the United States in a very instructive manner; the former is stated accurately, but, as might be expected, with much less detail than the latter. We must confess that the American Courts seem to have taken a broad view of the principles which should regulate the custody of infants, both earlier and more fully than ours. It is curious to note that some of the States, recognizing the precocity of the female sex, allow girls to attain their majority at the age of eighteen. The chapter on Juvenile Institutions is instructive, and the whole work will amply repay perusal.

Third Edition. Steven's Mercantile Law. By HERBERT JACOBS, B.A. London: Butterworth & Co. 1900.

This is a carefully-written little book, and accurate as far as it goes; but we see no reason for the production of a new edition so soon, unless it may be the very satisfactory one that the last edition is sold out. There have been no very important decisions on statutes since the last edition; but some of the subjects are treated of more fully, and we are glad to see that the statements as to Marine

Insurance are now supported by authorities, and not, as in the last edition, by the provisions of a Bill which has not yet become law.

Third Edition. Interpleader in the High Court of Justice and in the County Courts. By MICHAEL CABABÉ. London: Sweet & Maxwell. 1900.

There is but one book on Interpleader, and this edition is as accurate and careful as the former ones. It is probable that the bulk of Interpleader business is done in the County Courts, so that it was necessary to bring out this edition, to include the 157th section of the County Courts Act of 1888, and the County Court Rules of 1889. All the recent cases on the subject seem to have been noted.

Fourth Edition. Kerr on Receivers. By PERCY F. WHEELER, M.A., B.C.L., assisted by CHARLES BURNEY, B.A. London: Sweet & Maxwell, Limited. 1900.

The law of and practice as to receivers is both very technical and very important; and as it is nine years since the last edition of Mr. Kerr's book came out, there have been many important decisions which have been carefully noted up in the present edition. The power of appointing a receiver in Lunacy cases has been considerably extended by section 116 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, and probably many orders are made thereunder. The present edition has had the great advantage of being revised by Master Burney, and his assistance makes it certain that the present practice at Chambers has been correctly stated. It has been and still is the book on the subject, though it must be noticed that it is limited to Receivers appointed by the High Court, and does not deal with those appointed under the County Court Acts.

Fifth Edition.

Bainbridge on Mines and Minerals. ARCHIBALD BROWN. London: Butterworth & Co. 1900.

By

It is rather curious that no edition of this important work should have been published for more than twenty years. During that interval the law of the subject has been affected by numerous important decisions and much legislation. The very fundamental question of what are minerals has been discussed in two important cases in the House of Lords not very easily reconcilable, and the interesting subject, but unluckily one of not very much general importance, of Royal Mines has been decided in Attorney-General v. Morgan. Very many other branches of the subject have also had

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