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in giving his opinion on cases, or legislation, and we are glad that it is so, as his opinion is entitled to much respect. therefore sorry to read that the Directors' Liability Act, 1890, "undoubtedly, at first, frightened away some good directors; but the Companies Act, 1900, is much more likely to discourage good directors." Mr. Palmer adds an appendix containing the Companies Acts, Rules and Orders, Practice Directions, &c. We think it would add a little to the great value of his book if he would give the dates of all the cases cited.

An Epitome of Leading Cases in Equity. By W. H. HASTINGS KELKE, M.A. London Sweet and Maxwell. 1901. This is written specially for the use of students, and aims at being an introduction to Equity Case Law. It is founded on White and Tudor's well-known selection, but it is in no case an abridgment of it, nor is it, we think, quite correctly entitled an epitome of Leading Cases. It, however, contains a good outline of equity, illustrated by a judicious selection of leading, and other cases. We have not been able to test its accuracy to any great extent, but we notice that the reference to Burgess v. Vinicome, p. 33, is incorrect, as in that case the solicitor trustee-clause was held void because the trustee was an attesting witness to the will, not, as stated in the text, because he himself had drawn the will. The work is so short that it would not have appreciably increased the bulk, and would have rendered it much pleasanter to read, if the learned author had made use of more prepositions, and fewer abbreviations.

Land Charges Acts, 1888 and 1900. By ERNEST W. EATON and J. POYNTZ PURCELL. London: Stevens and Sons. 1901. This small work is well described by its sub-title "Practical Guide to Registration and Searches." It is the work of two gentlemen who are officials in the Land Charges Department of the Land Registry, and is intended for the use of "those who either (1) have to register under the Land Charges Registration and Searches Act, 1888, or the Land Charges Act, 1900; or (2) have, before completion of dealings, to make the necessary searches. under these Acts." The book contains an introduction, information as to the various charges to be looked for, and other practical information, statutes, and forms. practical.

It is short, clear, and

can be

Maritime Law. BY ALBERT SAUNDERS. London: Effingham Wilson. 1901. This book might be entitled "Adventures of a most Unfortunate Ship." Mr. Saunders has hit upon the ingenious idea of illustrating Maritime Law by the history of a ship, which meets with almost every disaster which imagined, till at last she becomes a total loss. The plan is well adapted to show the application of the law to the facts, and to show what disputes and difficult questions may arise in the course of a ship's career, and the manner in which each disaster affects the different parties concerned or interested. Mr. Saunders shows a thorough grasp of the law, and a wide knowledge of the practical side of shipping. The sad tale begins with the agreement to build the s.s. Malabar at the cost of £30,000. We are rather surprised to find that she was built satisfactorily, and that neither party became bankrupt, nor was the ship burnt in the dock; nor did any legal questions arise, beyond a few trifling points as to registration caused by some of the owners dying, mortgaging, etc. The Malabar is delivered to owners at Newcastle-on-Tyne, and on the way to London runs into a German steamer and sinks her, with the loss of three passengers and six of the crew. The action in rem in the Admiralty Court then commences, results in a judgment that the Malabar was solely to blame, and the damages are found to be £32,000; the representatives of two drowned English passengers obtain verdicts for £6,000 and £4,500 respectively and the actions of the representatives of the drowned Germans are dismissed. Meanwhile the Malabar has gone off to China, and got there without any disaster except a considerable leakage of oil, part of her cargo. The owners are, however, successful in an action brought against them in respect of this, and, as far as we remember, it is the only action out of many in which they are successful. They, of course, have a collision in the Suez Canal and are found to blame. Space will not per mit us to describe all the misfortunes of the Malabar, but we may mention a few more. She is blown on the rocks at the Mauritius, her cargo is condemned for contraband, she collides with another vessel in the English Channel, with loss of life on both sides, and at last sinks beneath the waves off Ushant. The number of questions that arise and have the law applied to them is very great, and the practical adjustment of the liabilities of all the parties concerned, in one way or another, is both difficult and instructive.

NEW EDITIONS.

Third Edition. Thomas's Leading Cases in Constitutional Law. By CHARLES L. ATTENBOROUGH. London: Stevens and Haynes. 1901.

This book is intended for students, and contains a summary of between fifty and sixty important cases on Constitutional Law, with a short introduction, and notes on each group of cases. The idea is a good one, and the little work is interesting, as well as instructive. Some of the cases, such as those on Slavery, and we hope those on Impressment, only possess an historical interest; but many are still of vital importance.

By EVELYN

FREETH.

Third Edition. Death Duty Acts. London Shaw and Sons. 1901. Mr. Freeth published the first edition of his work under the very reasonable supposition "that that part of the Finance Act, 1894, which relates to the Death Duties, including the new Estate Duty is not capable of being readily understood from a perusal of the Act." Since his second edition the law has been twice amended by Statute and explained by Judicial decisions. The need of a competent guide is therefore more imperative than ever, and we feel grateful to Mr. Freeth for bringing out a new Edition. The arrangement is excellent and the explanations and notes clear and practical. It contains the text of the four Finance Acts, and an appendix contains Forms, Rules, and other information.

Sixth Edition. The Law of Torts. By SIR

FREDERICK

POLLOCK, BART. London: Stevens and Sons. 1901.

It is not necessary for us to say much about this well-known work. The Author is not only a lawyer but a jurist, and this work is distinguished above all others on the same subject, by its breadth of principle and clearness of style. The cases cited are not so numerous as in some other treatises, but they are carefully chosen, and include the most important and the most recent. Since the last edition the most important legal events in connection with the law of Torts have been the passing of the Workmen's Compensation Act, and the decision in Allen v. Flood.

The latter is frequently referred to with valuable comments on

what it has decided, and what it has suggested, but as pointed out by the Author, it has not only settled the law in some respects but unsettled it in others, and as regards one question at least "only the authority of the House of Lords can finally dispose of the doubts which still surround this topic. For the present they are rather increased than diminished." The Workmen's Compensation Act is but shortly dealt with, as being alien to the subject. "The decisions turn wholly on the language of the Act, and the rules made under it, and throw no light on any principle of the law of Torts; indeed the Act is a law of compulsory insurance, and quite beyond the region of actionable wrongs."

Owing to want of space several reviews of important books have been held over, and will appear in next issue.

Other publications received :---Belgian Law and Legal Procedure, by Gaston de Laval; Report of the Paris Conference (International Maritime Committee); Druce's Agricultural Holdings Act, 1900; Bulletin No. 61 (New York State Library); Soule's Year Book Bibliography; Randolph's Joint Resolution of Congress, U.S.A and Cuba; The Register (Japan); The Journal of the Society of Comparative Legislation for June (John Murray); Quarterly Statement of Palestine Exploration Fund; The Royal Blue Book (Kelly's Directories, Ltd.).

The Law Magazine and Review receives or exchanges with the following amongst other publications :-Review of Reviews, Juridical Review, Public Opinion, Law Times, Law Journal, Justice of the Peace, Law Quarterly Review, Irish Law Times, Australian Law Times, Speaker, Accountants' Journal, North American Review, Canada Law Journal, Canada Law Times, Chicago Legal News, American Law Review, American Law Register, Harvard Law Review, Case and Comment, Green Bag, Virginia Law Register, American Lawyer, Albany Law Journal, Madras Law Journal, Calcutta Weekly Notes, Law Notes, Queensland Law Journal, Law Students Journal, Westminster Review, Bombay Law Reporter, Medico-Legal Journal, Indian Review, Kathiawar Law Reports, The Lawyer (India), South African Law Journal, Yale Law Journal, New Jersey Law Journal.

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