Nichols, John, Leek, Staffordshire, Grocer. Oct 12 at 2 at offices of Challinor and Co, Derby st, Leek Norman, Robert, Northampton, Coal Merchant. Oct 11 at 11 at offices of Andrew, Market sq, Northampton North, Frederick James, Mill hill ter, Acton, Builder. Oct 12 at 2 at offices of Woodbridge and Sons, Clifford's inn, Fleet st Penzer, Eazer, Kingswinford, Stafford, out of business. Oct 8 at 3 at offices of Tinsley, Priory st, Dudley Place, James, Eccles, near Manchester, Wheelwright. Oct 12 at 3 at offices of Hankinson, Manchester Prosser, William, Hereford, Newspaper Proprietor. Oct 11 at 12 at offices of James and Bodenham, St Peter st, Hereford Ramsden, John, Leeds, Tailor. Oct 13 at 11 at offices of Tennant and Barret, Albion st, Leeds Richards, Thomas, Maesteg, Glamorgan, Grocer. Oct 14 at 1 at the Royal Talbot Hotel, Victoria st, Bristol. Jenkins, Aberavon Robinson, Thomas, King st West, Hammersmith, Confectioner. Oct 5 at 4 at offices of Marshall, Chancery lane Rodgers, Thomas, Halifax, Shop Manager. Oct 12 at 11 at 39, Crown st, Halifax. Backhouse, Burnley Rogers, George, Newark, Nottingham, Manufacturing Confectioner. Oct 12 at 2 at the Swan and Salmon Inn, Castle gate, Newark. Durance, Lincoln Russell, Edward, Brighton, Waggonette Proprietor. Oct 21 at 2 at Salisbury, Frederick, and Thomas Taylor, Portugal st, Lincoln's- Simpson, William Hutton, Sheffield, Heraldic Engraver. Oct 8 at 3 at oflices of Macben, Bank st, Sheffield Smith, Alfred Orme, Sunderland, Ironmonger. Oct 12 at 12 at offices of Bowey and Brewis, Fawcett st, Sunderland Smith, Edmund, West Ham, Essex, Undertaker. Oct 2 at 2 at the Inns of Court Hotel, High Holborn. Baldwin, Southampton buildings, Chancery lane Steel, Andrew, Rothbury, Northumberland, Slater. Oct 13 at 11 at offices of Keenlyside and Co, St. John's chmbrs, Grainger st West, Newcastle-on-Tyne Stott, Thomas, Brighton, Ironmonger. Oct 7 at 2 at 145, Cheapside. Goodman, Brighton Swale, Sydney, Kingston-upon-Hull, Auctioneer. Oct 6 at 12 at the White Hart Hotel, Silver st, Kingston-upon-Hull Tasker, Frederick, Hereford, Butcher. Oct 14 at 10.30 at offices of Hutchinson, St. Owen st, Hereford Taylor, Thomas, Monkwearmouth, Durham, Boot and Shoe Dealer. Oct 13 at 11 at offices of Kidson and Co, John st, Sunderland Thomas, John, Derby, Wholesale Confectioner. Oct 11 at 3 at offices of Wardwick, Derby. Hexstall, Derby Thorpe, David, Manchester, Manufacturer of Smoke Consumers. Oct 13 at 11 at offices of Duckworth, Marsden-st, Manchester Tinker, Richard, Sheffield, Boot Dealer. Oct 12 at 3 at offices of Webster and Styring, Hartshead, Sheffield Tompkins, George, Britlington, Somerset, Butcher. Oct 8 at 2 at offices of Clifton and Carter, Broad st, Bristol Varley, George Frederick, Great Driffield, York, Grocer. Oct 12 at 2 at offices of White, Exchange st, Great Driffield Walker, James, Gateshead, Durham, Builder. Oct 19 at 2 at offices of Bird, Grey st, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Whitton, Walter George, Birmingham, Commercial Clerk. Oct 8 at at 11 at offices of Burton, Union passage, Birmingham Wiggins, John Henry, Warwick gardens, Kensington, Gentleman. Oct 16 at 12 at offices of Hogan and Hughes, Martin's lane Willett, Charles William, Anstey, Leicester, Boot Manufacturer. Oct 5 at 3 at offices of Wright, Bolvoir st, Leicester Williams, William Edward, Tiverton, Devon, Builder. Oct 11 at 10 at offices of Webster, Gold st. Partridge and Cochrane Wood, James, Darton, York, Grocer. Oct 15 at 3 at offices of Marsden and Co, Westgate, Wakefield Woodburne, Alfred, and Thomas Baker, Manchester, Drapers. Oct 14 at 2 at the Hen and Chicken Hotel, Oldham st, Manchester. Robinson, Longton Wright, Frank, Paddington st, Marylebone, Gas Engineer. Oct 13 at 3 at offices of Prockter and Andrews, Princes st, Spitalfields Youngman, Robert, Birmingham, Publican. Oct 5 at 11 at offices of Peet, Colmore row, Birmingham TUESDAY, Sept. 28, 1880. Adams, Harry Taunton, Everington st, Fulham, Builder. Oct 4 at 3 at offices of Reader, Holborn Viaduct Austen, Joseph Francis, Birkenhead, Chester, Licensed Victualler. Oct 7 at 3 at offices of Thompson, Hamilton st, Birkenhead Avery, Robert Busby, Manchester, Commission Agent. Oct 11 at 4 at offices of Bullock and Worthington, Kennedy st, Manchester Baker, George, Birmingham, Cab Proprietor. Oct 7 at 3 at offices of Fallows, Cherry st, Birmingham Bateman, Albion, Bristol, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer. Oct 2 at 12 at offices of Andrews, Nicholas st, Bristol. Ayre, Bristol Batty, Jonathan William, Bradford, York, Painter. Oct 7 at 4 at offices of Last and Best, Bond st, Bradford Beveridge, James, Fulwood's rents, Holborn, Printer. Oct 19 at 3 at Law Institution, Chancery lane. Vanderpump, Gray's inn sq Blackshaw, William Jackson, Tunstall, Stafford, Plumber. Oct 11 at 2.30 at offices of Salt, Kecle st, Tunstall Bolland, John, Birmingham, Boot and Shoe Manufacturer. Oct 6 at 3 at offices of Buller and Bickley, Bennett's hill, Birmingham Booth, Sarah Ann, Worcester, Licensed Victualler. Oct 7 at 11 at offices of Tree and Son, High st, Worcester Brown, John, Manchester, Commission Agent. Oct 11 at 3 at offices of Bullock and Worthington, Kennedy st, Manchester Bruce, Stewart, Workington, Cumberland, Boiler Maker. Oct 7 at 11.30 at Station Hotel, Workington. Thompson, Workington Camp, Walter, Packington st, Islington, Corn Dealer. Oct 12 at 2 at offices of West and Co, Cannon st Clark, Joseph, Weymouth, Builder. Oct 11 at 10.30 at offices of Howard, East st, Melcombe Regis Cole, Charles Thomas, Hove, Sussex, Ironmonger, Oct 2 at 11.30 at 12, Serjeant's inn, Flcet st. Nyc, Brighton, Cox, Henry, Birkenhead, Chester, Commission Agent. Oct 15 at 3 at offices of Best, North John st, Liverpool Crossley, Alfred, Manchester, Licensed Victualler. Oct 18 at 3 at Daniel, John Coates, Hanley, Stafford, Builders' Merchant. Oct 8 Firth, Jonas, Masborough Dyke, Barnsley, York, Grocer. Oct 13 at Fray, William George, Birkenhead, Chester, Tea Dealer. Oct 7 at 3 at offices of Moore, Duncan st, Birkenhead Froley, John, Sale, Chester, Grocer. Oct 11 at 3 at offices of Chew and Son, Swan st, Manchester Gomm, William, Upper st, Islington, Cigar Dealer. Oct 1 at 3 at 262 High Holborn. Best, Essex st, Strand Goreham, William, and William Frederick Goreham, Northfleet, Kent, Cement Manufacturers. Oct 11 at 3 at offices of Russell and Co, Old Jewry chmbrs Gough, William, Penrhyndeudraeth, Merioneth, Contractor. Oct 8 at 1 at offices of Jones, High st, Portmadoc Gowers, Philip John, Diss, Norfolk, Farmer. Oct 15 at 2 at the Kings Gratwick, William Sales, Commercial rd, Limehouse, Furniture Hirst, Emer, New Wombwell, York, Provision Merchant. Oct 6 a 3 at offices of Gray, Eastgate, Barnsley Holden, William Henry, Hastings, Sussex, Fruiterer. Oct 4 at 12 at offices of Savery and Chambers, Trinity st, Hastings Horsley, George, Hartlepool, Durham, Innkeeper. offices of Simpson, Church st, West Hartlepool Oct 6 at 3 at Ives, Alfred George, Commercial rd East, Boot and Shoe Maker. Oct 6 at 3 at offices of Palmer, Railway Approach, London bridge. Taylor, New Broad st Jobborn, Edwin, Willenhall, Stafford, Lock Manufacturer. Oct 6 at 11 at offices of Vaughan, Walsall st, Willenhall Jones, Edward, New Brighton, Chester, Greengrocer. Oct 11 at3 at offices of Fowler, Cable st, Liverpool Jones, Stephen Thomas, Hope st, Hackney, Carpenter. Oct 4 at 2 Lloyd, Edward, and Robert Roberts, Llandudno, Carnarvon, Grocers. Oct 7 at 2 at the Maude, John, Kirbymoorside, York, Corn Factor. White Horse, Kirbymoorside Pearson, Helmsley Merry, James Samuel, Llandaff, Glamorgan, Baker. Oct 7 at 3 at the Merchants' Protection Association, Duke st, Cardiff. Gibbs and Llewellyn, Newport, Mon Merryfield, Walter, Bow rd, Grocer. Oct 11 at 3 at offices of Noon and Clarke, Blomfield st Milne, George, sen, Grove place, Brompton, out of business. Oct 5 at 3 at 101, Chancery lane. Dennes, Falcon court, Fleet st Neal, Anthony Bradley, Maidstone, Brushmaker, Oct 7 at 12 at offices of Monckton and Co, King st, Maidstone Nicholson, James, Liverpool, Draper. Oct 11 at 12 at offices of Carruthers, Lord st, Liverpool Owen, John, Cilie, Cardigan, Farmer. Oct 2 at 11 at offices of Evans and Son, Newcastle-Emlyn Pagett, William, Wolverhampton, Engineer. Oct 8 at 11 at offices of Willcock, Queen st, Wolverhampton Patten, Philip Henry, Canonbury grove, Islington, Steam Joinery Manufacturer. Oct 4 at 3 at the Masons' Hall Tavern, Masons' avenue, Basinghall st. King, Rotherfield st, Islington Peers, Joseph, Anderton, nr Bolton, Farmer. Oct 5 at 3 at the Mitre Hotel, Cathedral gates, Manchester. Farrington, Manchester Pope, William, Kew Bridge rd, Brentford, Barge Builder. Oct 6 at 3 at offices of Aird, Eastcheap Puddle, George, Egham, Surrey, Commission Agent. Oct 18 at 2 at offices of Emmott, Budge row, Cannon st Read, William, Holford pl, Clerkenwell, Contractor. Oct 4 at 3 at 262, High Holborn. Staniland, North rd, Highgate Renshaw, Samuel, Stockport, Chester, Retail Hatter. Sept 30 at 3 at offices of Coppock and Co, Vernon st, Stockport Reynard, William Simpson, Brearton, York, Farmer. Oct 5 at 12 at offices of Kirby and Son, Knaresborough Richardson, George, Middleton Cheney, Northampton, Farmer. Oct 5 at 11 at offices of Whitehorn, High st, Banbury Samuel, Barnett, Cardiff, Clothier. Oct 11 at 3 at offices of Tribe and Co, Crockherbtown, Cardiff. Evans and Davies, Swansea at 4 at offices of Parry, High st, Ramsgate Showell, William, Wolverhampton, Beilows Manufacturer. Oct 15 at 11 at office of Shelton, Queen st, Wolverhampton Skaife, John Smith, Summerbridge, York, Cattle Dealer. Oct 7 at 3, at the North Eastern Hotel, Harrogate. Lodge and Rhodes, Leeds Smith, John Titus, Portsea, Hants, Tailor. Oct 9 at 11 at offices of Casey, 90, St. George's sq, Portsen. Mills, South sq, Gray's inn Smith, James, Wilson, Camberwell New rd, Dramatic Agent. Oct 4 at 11 at 46, Southampton bldgs, Chancery lane. Allen Stamper, James, Liverpool, General Dealer. Oct 12 at 2 at offices of Davies, the Temple, Dale st, Liverpool Sunderland, Charles, Liverpool, Woollen Draper. October 7 at 11 at offices of Etty, Lord st, Liverpool Sykes, Samuel, Lockwood rd, nr Huddersfield, Builder. Oct 7 at 11 at offices of North and Bolton, Devonshire chambers, Hudders field. Whitley and Whitley, Huddersfield Thackery, William, Middlesborcugh, York, out of business. Oct 1 at 10 at offices of Catchpole, Argyle bldgs, Wilson st, Middlesborough Thomas, John, Eskerwen, Carmarthen, Farmer. Oct 5 at 11.30 at offices of Williams, King st, Llandilo Venner, George, Taunton Somerset, Butter Factor. Oct 6 at10, 30 at offices of Trenchard and Co, Hammet st, Taunton Watson, John Leith, Milton-next-Gravesend, Florist. Oct 12 at 11 at offices of Mitchell, Windmill st, Gravesend Wolstenholme. Joseph, Heywood, Lancaster, Tailor. Oct 6 at 10 at at offices of Banks, Market pl, Heywood Woodburne, Alfred, and Thomas Baker, Manchester, Drapers. Oct 8 at 2 at Hen and Chicken Hotel, Oldham st. Robinson, Longton Woolnough, Charles, Kingston-upon-Thames, Agricultural Imple ment Maker. Oct 20 at 2 at offices of Bolton and Co, Temple gardens, Temple Woolnough, William, Kingston-upon-Thames, Agricultural Implement Maker. Oct 20 at 2 at offices of Bolton and Co, Femple gardens, Temple R. ALBERT GIBSON, Solicitor (Honours), Author of "Guide to Stephen's Commentaries," "Aids to the Final," &c., &c., will commence work with a Class for the January Intermediate and Final Examinations on Monday, October Fee 12 guineas. Two Residential Pupils received.-For full particulars apply to St. Mary Cray, Chislehurst, or 35, Southamp ton-buildings, Chancery-lane. 4. N.B.-At Six out of the last Eight Examinations Mr. Gibson's Pupils have taken Honours, his successes including the Clement'sinn, Clifford's-inn, and New-inn Prizes, in addition to prizes of the Incorporated Law Society, Certificates of Merit, Second and Thirdclass Certificates. EVIDENCE. A Gentleman who has had the entire charge of several heavy cases in litigation, and who has just returned from a tour round the world, which he has made on behalf of an eminent firm of 'Solicitors in Lincoln's-inn, having brought to a successful issue the object of his mission, is prepared to undertake the getting up of evidence and the obtaining of reliable information in any litigious matter of importance. He has very exceptionable facilities for obtaining information in London; is personally acquainted with every town of importance in Great Britain and Ireland; and has trustworthy Agents in all parts of America, India, Australia, and New Zealand. He does not solicit work which would fall within the province of, or could be undertaken by, an ordinary clerk, and may be treated in any matter in SCHWEITZER'S COCOATINA, trusted to him, so far as confidence and secrecy are concerned, as Anti-Dyspeptic Cocoa or Chocolate Powder. Guaranteed Pure Soluble Cocoa of the Finest Quality, with the excess of fat extracted. The Faculty pronounce it "the most nutritions, perfectly digestible 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 Break. fast 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 prchibited. 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 Will be glad to orward his Pamphlet on Painless Dentistry, free enclosed by post, which explains the most unique system of the adjust ment of ARTIFICIAL TEETH without pain. CONSULTATION FREE FROM 10 TO 5. one of the firm; and as he undertakes but one matter at the time, he is prepared, as hitherto, to devote his whole and undivided attention to it. The Advertiser wishes it understood that he accepts instructions exclusively through the medium of the Legal Profession, and any firm of Solicitors may avail themselves of his services without its ever being known, should such be deemed advisable, in what actual capacity he is acting in the matter. For obvious reasons the Advertiser does not here give his name and address, but will be happy to furnish (to Solicitors only) all particulars and references to firms of the highest standing on receipt of communication, of he will be happy to wait personally upon any Solicitor in the United Kingdom at his (the Advertiser's) own expense upon receipt of a request so to do.-Solicitors will please address, LEGAL, 117, Chancery-lane, W.C. Ho WATERLOW BROS. & LAYTON, 24, Birchin-lane, London. OUSE or OFFICE KEEPER.-A Gentleman wishes to recommend a most respectable Widow Woman to trustworthy.-Address, SOLICITOR, 27, Lincoln's-inn-fields, W.C. PARTRIDGE AND COOPER, undertake the Charge of Offices. Active, clean, and thoroughly 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 TATEMENTS OF CLAIM AND DEFENCE, AFFIDAVITS, and other PLEADING, Printed at 1s. per folio. DEEDS, CONVEYANCES, MORTGAGES, &c., Printed in form for Registration. Discount allowed for cash on agreed accounts. ABSTRACTS, BRIEFS, PETITIONS, DRAFTS, MINUTES OF PARCHMENT AND LEGAL PAPERS. G LASGOW 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. SOLICITORS' BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION. INSTITUTED 1858. For the Relief of Poor and Necessitous Solicitors and Proctors in England and Wales, The FORTY-FIFTH HALF-YEARLY GENERAL MEETING of the Members of this Association will be held in the CUTLER'S HALL, at Sheffield, on the Morning of THURSDAY NEXT, the 7th of OCTOBER, when the Board of Directors will present their Half-yearly Report and Statement of Account; Directors and Auditors will be elected for the ensuing year, and other general business transacted. The Chair will be taken at Ten o'clock a.m. precisely. Offices of the Association, 9, Clifford's-inn, London, E.C., October 2, 1880. THOMAS EIFFE, Secretary. L LAW LIFE ASSURANCE 18, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS, LONDON. AW UNION FIRE and LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY. Chief Office-126, Chancery-lane, London, W.C. The Funds in hand and Capital subseribed amount to upwards of £1,500,000 sterling. Chairman-JAMES CUDDON, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, Goldsmith-build ing, Temple. Deputy-Chairman-C. PEMBERTON, Esq. (Lee & Pembertons), Solicitor 44, Lincoln's-inn-fields. Every description of Fire and Life Insurance business transacted. The Directors invite attention to the new form of Life Policy, which free from all conditions. The Company advances Money on Mortgage of Life Interest and Reversions, whether absolute or contingent. Prospectuses, Copies of the Directors' Report, and Annual Balance sheet, and every information, sent post free, on application to FRANK M'GEDY, Actuary and Secretary. ACCUMULATED FUNDS IN HAND Agents wanted on liberal terms of commission. Apply to J. HAMER OWENS, Manager, Law Courts Branch 33, Chancery-lane. L IVERPOOL REVERSIONARY (LIMITED). COMPANY This Company is prepared to PURCHASE or GRANT LOANS in respect of INTERESTS under WILLS, LEASES, LIFE POLICIES, ANNUITIES, &c., whether vested or contingent. Proposal forms, terms, &c., may be had on application at the Company's Offices, 19, NORTH JOHN-STREET, Liverpool. 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 receivesmoney 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 Falt ables; the collection of Bills 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. CITY OF LIVERPOOL. HE City Council of Liverpool require the Services THE of an ASSISTANT SOLICITOR in the Town Clerk's Office. Salary £450. Particulars of Duties, &c., may be obtained from the Town Clerk, to whom applications, with copies of testimonials, must be sent not later than the 1st of October. By Order, JOSEPH RAYNER, Town Clark, Town Clerk's Office, Liverpool, Sept. 3, 1880. SOCIAL SCIENCE CONGRESS, EDINBURGH. OCTOBER 6 to 13. President-The Rt. Hon. Lord REAY, D.C.L. Presidents of Departments-(1) Jurisprudence, the Rt. Hon. The LORD ADVOCATE; (2) Education, the Rt. Hon. Lord BALFOUR of Burleigh; (3) Health, JOHN BEDDOE, Esq., M.D., F.R.S.; (4) Economy, Sir UGHTRED J. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH, Bart.; (5) Art, Professor W. B. RICHMOND Information as to the reading of Papers, and other particulars, may be had at the Offices, 1, Adam-street, Adelphi, W.C., and City Chambers, Edinburgh. J. L. CLIFFORD-SMITH, Assistant Secretary. 1, Adam-street, W.C. LONDON GAZETTE (published by authority) and LONDON and COUNTRY ADVERTISEMENT OFFICE. No. 117, CHANCERY LANE, FLEET STREET. HENRY GREEN, Advertisement Agent, begs to direct the attention of the Legal Profession to the advantages of his long experience of upwards of thirty years, in the special inser tion of all pro forma notices, &c., and hereby solicits their continued support.-N.B. One copy of advertisement only required, and the strictest care and promptitude assured. Official stamped forms for advertisement and file of "London Gazette" kept. By appointment. OF FFICES FOR A FIRM.-An entire Building, No. 15, Union-court, Old Broad-street, 8 Rooms besides Basement and Strong Room.-Apply to Messrs. DEBENHAM, TXWSON, FARMER, & BRIDGEWATER, SO, Cheapside, E.C. O LET, Two very extensive Suites of Chambers, pany. Each suite consists of several large rooms, strong room, &c. Would be let to desirable tenants at the low rent of 100 guineas per annum, including taxes. Also very large Basement to Let, suitable for storing goods.-Apply on the Premises, 33 and 34, John-street, Bedford-row, W.C. Solicitors' Journal. LONDON, OCTOBER 9, 1880. CURRENT TOPICS: CONTENTS. The Address of the President of the Incorporated Law Evidence before the Election Commissioners ................ 883 Bastardy Law Amendment ........................................................ 883 Women as Law Copyists ........ LEADERS: ...... 884 The Decision in "Saffron Walden Building Society v. ....... 884 The Trustee's Solicitor ....................................................................................... 885 CASES OF THE WEEK : Moir v. Paddon..... ... 887 900 Richards v. Peilo Tinplate Company, Limited .............................. 900 900 THE PROGRESS of the various election commissions illustrates the wide extent of the powers conferred upon the commissioners by the 15 & 16 Vict. c. 57, which practically renders them independent of the various maxims of the law of evidence. At Canterbury a solicitor who gave evidence raised the point of privilege upon a question tending to implicate one of his clients, but the commissioners overruled the objection. Mr. Merewether, in opening the commission at Macclesfield, laid down the broad rule that, in such inquiries, there can be no such thing as privilege Section 6 of the Act directs the commissioners to inquire "by all such lawful means as to them shall seem best with a view to the discovery of the truth" as to the matters which have been reported to the House. Section 7 empowers them, by summons, to require the attendance of any person whose evidence is, in their judgment, material to the subject-matter of the inquiry, “and to require all persons to bring before them such books, papers, deeds, and writings as to such commissioners appear necessary for arriving at the truth, all which persons shall attend, and shall answer all questions put to them, and shall produce all books, papers, deeds, and writings required of them, and in their custody or under their control, according to the tenor of the summons." Under this section there is nothing to prevent the production before the Oxford Commissioners of a copy of the letter to the Public Orator which has caused so much discussion. By section 9 the witnesses can be (and in most cases they 906 are) compelled to criminate themselves, but are to be indemnified from all civil and criminal proceedings in respect of the corrupt practices disclosed by them on receipt of a certificate from the commissioners, which (by section 10) is not to be given unless the witness shall have made a true disclosure touching all things as to which he was examined. By section 12 the nonattendance of a witness is punishable in the same way as disobedience to an ordinary subpoena, and the same section gives the commissioners all the powers of a judge of the Supreme Court in the event of a witness refusing to be sworn, or to answer questions, or to produce documents which are in his control, and the production of which the commissioners deem necessary, or in the event of any person being "guilty of any contempt of the said commissioners or their office." The nearest approach we can think of to the powers of the commissioners are those of a Turkish Cadi. ..... 903 903 .... 904 .... 905 ...... 905 THE ADDRESS of the president of the Incorporated Law Society appears to us to be, without any exception, the best that has yet been delivered at any provincial meeting of the society. It is fresh and interesting, well expressed, and lucidly arranged; and-what is of infinitely more importance-it is pervaded by the highest moral tone. There have always been a large number of men in the profession who have acted on the principles set forth by the president, but would they fifty years ago have ventured to propound them at a meeting of solicitors as the most obvious rules of action for the profession in general? We cannot help thinking that a striking testimony is borne to the advance of the tone of the profession when the president of the Incorporated Law Society, amid the strongly-marked approbation of his bearers, says that one clear duty of the solicitor is to discourage litigation, and that the solicitor of the highest standing will be he who has the least to do with litigation, and whose cases, where actions are necessary, are actions for enforcing just rights and establishing doubtful points of important law. The historians of this century will have to trace two remarkable movements: one, the rapid advance in the education, status, and standard of honour of solicitors; the other, we fear we must say, some decline in the standard of honour in some portions of the bar. It is as well to speak plainly on a matter which is one of no small importance to the community; and, therefore, we should like to ask how it is we hear so much more frequently than formerly the question put with reference to barristers in large practice "Is he a gentleman ?" Competition is perhaps keener than it was, and the decline of circuit life has something to do with the removal of restrictions; but how is it that according to the evidence before one of the Election Commissions, it seems to have been contemplated in certain events to get a barrister to make a false statement before the judges in order to obtain the withdrawal of an election petition? It is true that the witness said he "did not think" he would have been able to induce any counsel to make such a statement; but if the honour of the bar were such as it ought to be, such a thing would not have been dreamt of as a possibility. THE LITTLE STATUTE of last session entitled an Act to render valid certain Orders in Bastardy (43 & 44 Vict. c. 31) was passed in order to remedy a curious difficulty which arose under the Bastardy Laws Amendment Act, 1872 (35 & 36 Vict. c. 65), in the recent case of Reg. v. Padbury (28 W. R. 182, L. R. 5 Q. B. D. 127.) The Poor Law Amendment Act, 1844 (7 & 8 Vict. c. 101), provided for the making of an order of affiliation against the father of a bastard child, but did not specify the objects of the payments to be made by him. The Bastardy Act, 1845 (8 & 9 Vict. c. 10), provided, by section 1, that proceedings in matters of bastardy had or taken under the provisions of the preceding Act should be valid and "sufficient in law," if set forth according to the form in the schedule to the Act. The Act of 1872 repealed parts of the Act of 1844, but did not affect the schedule to the Act of 1845; and section 4 empowered justices to make an order upon the putative father for payment of not more than 5s. a week" for the maintenance and education of the child." In the recent case in the Queen's Bench Division, an order had been made under the last Act, but it was in the form given in the schedule to the Act of 1845, and did not provide for the application of the money by the mother of the child. Cockburn, C.J., and Manisty, J., held that the order was bad for not specifically providing "for the maintenance and education of the child." The new statute provides, by section 1, that an order made under the Bastardy Laws Amendment Act, 1872, or the Bastardy Laws Amendment Act, 1873, "before the passing of this Act," is not to be invalid "by reason of the omission from such order of the words for the maintenance and education of the said child,' or words to the like tenor or effect." IT IS INTERESTING to find that the requirements of legal business leave time for so many of our judges to devote themselves to periodical literature. We referred last week to the contribution of the Lord Chief Justice in the Nineteenth Century for the present month. The Contemporary Review has a contribution on "Materialism and Theology by Mr. Justice Fry, who has also written several articles on the Opium Trade. Mr. Justice Stephen has been a frequent contributor to magazines and reviews; while Lord Coleridge is understood to have often written for the Edinburgh Review. Judicial authorship is no novelty, for Lord Brougham, even when on the woolsack, wrote many articles for the latter publication; and Lord Campbell (in addition to his Lives of the Chancellors and Chief Justices) published a pamphlet on Shakespeare's Legal Acqirements." The late Sir John Coleridge issued a Life of Keble; and more recently Sir John Byles has published "The Foundation of Religion in the Mind and Heart of Man." Among judges now on the bench, the Lord Chancellor has compiled a collection of hymns; Mr. Justice Denman has written a Greek translation of Gray's Elegy, and Sir Robert Collier an English translation of Demosthenes de Coronâ. The scientific works of Mr. Justice Grove are widely known, and Mr. Justice Stephen has published two collections of essays. THERE HAS BEEN a good deal of correspondence in the Times this week suggesting the employment of women as law copyists; but, with every wish to open up new means of employment for women, we fear this is great nonsense. Law copyists have to work long hours under great pressure, and to work hard to get the barest subsistence, and law stationers will never be persuaded that a woman can work as hard or as long as a man. Nor is their handwriting such as can readily be adapted to the work. It is stated that an apprenticeship of five years is needed to train boys to become efficient copyists, and the number of writers who can get employment is very limited. We do not see why these poor people should be thrown out of work to provide for female copyists. THE DECISION IN SAFFRON WALDEN BUILDING SOCIETY v. RAYNER. MR. CLEAVER'S well-timed and admirable paper, read at the Sheffield meeting of the Incorporated Law Society, deals with the practical results of this decision; and, as the conclusions of a solicitor of eminence and long experience, deserves the careful attention of the profession. He confirms the opinion we expressed when the decision was reported as to the commonness of the practice which the Court of Appeal at Lincoln's-inn condemned. That court has on several occasions shown a tendency to decide cases without much regard to the prac tical effect of the doctrines laid down on the usage and general understanding of the profession. We pointed out, as soon as the decision in Saffron Walden Building Society v. Rayner (28 W. R. 681) was reported, that the previous decision in Rickards v. Gledstanes (3 Giff. 298), that notice of the assignment of a reversionary interest in a trust fund given to the solicitor of the trustees of the fund was notice to the trustees, so as to take it out of the order and disposition of the assignor, had quite naturally led text-book writers of such eminence as the late Mr. Lewin and Mr. Fisher to state that notice of an incumbrance may be given either to trustees or to their solicitor, and that notice to the solicitor of trustees will bind them. And Mr. Cleaver now tells us that "the facts of the case disclose an instance of what, as regards the action of the plaintiffs and the solicitors to the trustees, is surely a matter of constant occurrence in the profession. According to common knowledge and reputation, a respectable firm of solicitors act in the business of a particular trust. They are known to have acted for the testator, to have proved the will, to have invested money for the trustees, and received and paid over the interest on such investments, and, further, to have acted for the trustees in a chancery suit, to which the testator was a party. An intending incumbrancer of a share in the estate applies to them for information, and in their reply they state: 'We are solicitors for the trustees of the late John Hardy,' a statement which seems to have been very well founded, and to savour nothing of misrepresentation. The incumbrancer was content, under the circumstances, to serve notice of his charge on the solicitors for the trustees, as (James, L.J., to the contrary notwithstanding) we must continue to call them, and it is apprehended that nine practitioners out of ten would have been content to do likewise." The experience of our readers will, we doubt not, bear out this statement, and we cannot help thinking that if the Court of Appeal had been aware of the extent to which the practice they reprobated has been carried, they would have hesitated to lay down the doctrine which has occasioned so much discussion. It would have been sufficient for the decision of the case to hold that a mere verbal communication of a notice of an incumbrance, made in the course of a different transaction, and not giving an intelligent apprehension of the fact, is not a good notice. The important question, however, is what is the practical effect of the decision, and what course should be. adopted by solicitors in view of it? As to the former point, it is clear, as we remarked when the report of the case appeared, that for the future the only cases in which notice of an incumbrance can be effectually given to a solicitor on behalf of trustees is where the solicitor has been constituted the agent of the trustees to receive notice of incumbrances. He may be so con-stituted either expressly, or impliedly by his employment by the trustees to distribute the trust fund. As to the practical course to be taken, we have already given reasons for thinking that, to insure their validity, notices of incumbrances will have henceforth to be served on all the trustees. No prudent solicitor will trust to implication, and express authority will hardly ever be given by trustees to a solicitor to receive notice of incumbrances. Mr. Cleaver does not advert to the point, but it may be doubted whether trustees would be justified, as between themselves and their cestui que trust, in giving such an authority. The trustee, it has often been laid down, is not entitled to employ a solicitor in matters. which need no legal training or knowledge to transact. He is not justified in unnecessarily acting by the hand of another. If express authority is not given to the solicitor to receive the notices, then, as Mr. Cleaver says, the incumbrancer must be in a position to show "that the mind of the trustee has in some way been brought to an intelligent apprehension of the nature of the incumbrance which has come upon the property, so that a reasonable man, or an ordinary man of business,. would act upon the information and would regulate his conduct by it in the execution of the trust" (per Lord Cairns, L.C., Lloyd v. Banks, L. R. 3 Ch. 488). Hence it would seem that personal service of notices on all the trustees of the property affected must henceforth be the rule. The solicitor who has properly understood the effect of the recent decision will be readily able to save himself from responsibility. He will offer to act as the agent of the incumbrancer to effect personal service on the trustees. But what will the incumbrancer say to the. |