And as in this also the careful and thoughtful spirit has been continued, the book will well repay a diligent perusal both by those who are established in the profession and by those who are preparing for admission to it.

The Handbook of Practical Forms professes to include all those forms, with the exception generally of such as come under the subjects treated of in the other volumes of the series, "as are constantly required in the daily practice in most offices." Even of forms which can be obtained from official sources, "such have been inserted as are likely to be frequently required at short notice." This of itself would make the book a useful one in a solicitor's practice; but of especial assistance are two complete sets of forms which are often difficult to fill up properly, being those required for the Land Registry and those necessary under Part I of the Finance Act 1910. To these two sets, sound notes and dissertations which may relieve many perplexities are supplied. The volume is made easy of reference by its alphabetical plan, and this, with the Index, so full that references to one subject are, where necessary, made under more than one heading, will avoid waste of time. Among the forms are some models of cases for the opinion of Counsel (by oversight printed "Council"); and these are very neatly done.

The Practical Forms of Agreements are also arranged in alphabetical order of subject, and here again every facility is afforded for swift reference, for the Index, as the Author fairly asserts, is an exhaustive one. The examples provided are available over a great range of the affairs of active life. The division of "Business," for instance, contains specimens applicable to the sale of a solicitor's or a medical man's practice, and of such representative undertakings as, amongst others, that of a boarding school, a wine merchant, grocer, linen draper, and a horse dealer. And there are some forms on exceptional matters brought under the head of "Miscellaneous." A very useful feature is, that each precedent has the particulars of the stamp which the agreement should bear.

Moore on Title. All the previous editions, and the latest of them was published a quarter of a century ago, were limited to advice to the solicitor of the vendor on the preparation of abstracts of title. But this one comes much nearer to completion, for it extends its assistance to the purchaser's solicitor by treating of the examination of title and the perusal of abstracts. This is a great advance, and much learning is displayed in the notes and directions. Anyone

making use of this book will probably find more readily in the Table of Contents than in the Index (though this is well constructed) the points for which he is searching.

The whole series would form, as each volume is brought up to quite a recent date, a useful augmentation of the solicitor's library.

Fifth Edition. Brett's Leading Cases in Modern Equity. By J. A. SHEARWOOD and W. G. HART, LL.D. London: Butterworth & Co. 1911.

Brett's Leading Cases in Modern Equity was a book originally written for the use of students, and the fact that it has blossomed forth into a fifth edition is sufficient proof that its merits are fully appreciated. The Authors of the present edition, acting on the principle of "new brooms," sweep clean, and with the happiest results. Bearing in mind that the immature mind of the student must be nurtured by degrees, they have contented themselves with a reference to the most useful decisions, and have avoided giving all the cases which have been decided with reference to the subjects treated of. Another improvement lies in the choice, in some instances, of some decisions more recent than those selected by Mr. Brett, to illustrate a principle, in this way justifying the title of "Modern Equity." For instance, Steed v. Price (L. R., 18 Eq. 192), which was only an obiter dictum of Sir George Jessel, has been eliminated, and Burgess v. Booth (L. R. [1908], 2 Ch. 648), which is an actual decision of the Court of Appeal upon the point, has been given in its place. This course has been adopted in several cases, and improves the practical utility of the work. Fresh leading cases have been added on such subjects as restrictive covenants, etc. Many authorities on the practice, under the Judicature Acts and Rules, have been omitted to make way for matters of more practical. interest. The general scheme of the text remains more or less the same, the leading cases being grouped under fifteen heads, the most important of which naturally deals with Trusts and Trustees. The Index, Table of Statutes, and Table of Cases are all excellent, and make for easy reference to the text of the work itself.

Fifth Edition. A Digest of the Law of Libel and Slander. By W. BLAKE Odgers, M.A., LL.D., K.C., J. B. EAMES, B.C.L., and WALTER BLAKE ODGERS, M.A. London: Stevens & Sons. 1911.

It is always refreshing to read anything emanating from the pen of Dr. Blake Odgers, for not only does it bear the impress of an acute

and scholarly mind, but it is also pointed by a certain homely wit. To the last-mentioned quality must be attributed the quotation from Byron, on the front page, "Dead scandals form good subjects for dissection," for we cannot conceive any benefit being derived from that occupation except by members of the legal fraternity. The law of Libel and Slander is, year by year, becoming a more important feature in our Courts, the output of books on the subject increases, but Odgers on Libel retains its place in the affections of the practising lawyer. Legislation on the subject has apparently not kept pace with public requirements, as was proved by the case of Hulton & Co. v. Jones (L. R. [1910], A. C. 20), a case which not unnaturally caused considerable controversy in the Press. As it is six years since the appearance of the last edition, considerable ground has to be covered, and new soil to be broken up. "Fair Comment" is a branch that has been materially affected by decision, thereby rendering necessary considerable modification of the previous text. Statements made in or copied from Parliamentary or Official Papers is a branch of the subject which has attained considerable importance, by reason of the cases in which Mangena appeared as Plaintiff. This has necessitated the introduction of a new sub-division of Qualified Privilege, which appears on page 336. In conclusion, it is only to be added that the present edition maintains the high quality of work which one is led to expect from a writer who has contributed so much to the adornment of legal literature.

Sixth Edition. Hanson's Death Duties.

ERRINGTON. London: Stevens & Haynes.

1911.

By F. H. L.

These duties force themselves with an insistence unwelcome, but inevitable, upon all who are in the present enjoyment of property to which the duties attach; and the reputation which this work has so long enjoyed, perfectly supported by this sixth edition, is an assurance that, from its pages, anyone concerned may ascertain the extent to which his estate must contribute to a Chancellor's budget. In the first four chapters the Author states with great clearness the principles and requirements of estate duty, increment value duty, legacy duty, and succession duty. The text of the principal Acts is set out accompanied by very valuable notes. In the appendices are also set out the death duties in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada-the incidence in its several provinces being

separately shown-South Africa, India, and the Crown Colonies. This feature enhances the value of the book to all who have property interests within the Empire outside the United Kingdom. In every respect the work from its text to its minor details has very high merit.

Seventh Edition. Taswell-Langmead's English Constitutional History. Edited by PHILIP A. ASHWORTH. London: Stevens & Haynes. 1911.

Mr. Ashworth, who was responsible for the last two editions of this well-known history, has revised the present edition and made considerable additions and re-written portions, notably the chapter on "The Succession to the Crown" and the latest development of the Constitution, if it can be called development, the Parliament Act. Two long footnotes at least have been included in the text, namely, those on Treason and Impeachments. The passing of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act has necessitated a considerable lengthening of the note on the Standing Army. Additions have been made to many of the notes by references to and quotations from the works of Professor Maitland, Sir William Anson, and Dr. Holdsworth. Sometimes the Editor, instead of adding, omits-we suppose on better consideration-some previous comments in a note, as where he rather cast doubt on Professor Freeman's statement concerning the status of younger children of the King, and a doubt cast on a theory of Mr. Jenks. An important addition to the notes is that on the Speaker. We are rather surprised that there are no references to Mr. Round's articles on the question of writs of summons to sit as a Peer, &c. We think the Editor is in error in saying that a Government Bill was submitted to Parliament in the Spring of 1911, proposing payment of members; it was included in the Budget, and though the resolutions of 1893 and 1895 in favour of such payment are alluded to, the much later resolution of March 7th, 1906, is not alluded to.

Ninth Edition. Law of Torts. By A. UNDERHILL, M.A., LL.D., and J. G. PEASE, B.A. London: Butterworth & Co. 1911. This well-known handbook is much in favour with students preparing for examinations. In the preparation of the present edition the learned Author has secured the assistance of Mr. J. G. Pease,

whose position and experience as assistant reader of Common law to the Council of Legal Education will strengthen its position with that class of reader. Several changes have been brought about. As before, the text is divided into two Parts: (1) The Nature of a Tort; (2) Rules relating to Particular Torts. In the present edition the subject of the Employers' Liability has been shifted bodily from Part I to Part II. Chapters treating on Nuisance, Negligence and Defamation, have been rearranged and generally improved. Liability for breach of duty to prevent damage from dangerous things and animals, popularly known as the rule in Fletcher v. Rylands, now has a chapter all to itself. Two subjects have been eliminated, as being better embraced in a work on the Law of Property, namely, (1) the Law as to the creation of Easements; (2) the Nature of Rights of Common, Ferries, and Fisheries. The questions propounded by Mr. Blagden, for the purpose of testing the knowledge of a student, after reading this treatise, are comprehensive and thorough. At the end of each question is placed the number of the page from which information may be obtained necessary to answer that individual question. The Index is excellent, and gives the reader an efficient key to the text.

Municipal Origins. By F. H. SPENCER. London: Constable & Co. 1911.-Sir Edward Clarke describes this work, in a Preface which he has written to it, as the best and most complete account which he has yet seen of the beginnings of local government and administration. And he directs special attention to the chapter which contains "the full account now for the first time given of the origin of the powers and duties of the Lord Chairman of Committees." The chapter is no doubt a notable sociological study. But the whole book is full of interest, and not only of interest, but, what was hardly to be expected from so dry a subject, of amusement also. The labour expended on the collection of material must have been very great; and there is a wealth of suggestive matter in the historic details stretching much beyond the subject to which the book is devoted.

The German Commercial Code. By A. F. SCHUSTER. London: Stevens and Sons. 1911. In the extensive commercial relations of this country with Germany a knowledge of the code of the latter nation is of vast importance to our own traders. Commission