fore, I muft beg they will accept my general acknowledgments. I fhould, however, be undeferving of that attention and affiftance with which I have been honoured, were I to omit this opportunity of returning my fincere and grateful thanks to Mr. Justice Buller, whofe abilities are only equalled by his eafinefs of accefs, his ready and liberal communication of that knowledge, which is the natural refult of fuch talents, and fuch unwearied application to ftudy. The many valuable hints I have received from that learned judge, will no doubt contribute much to the utility of this work. To thofe who are much engaged in the labours of the profeffion, a full and complete table of the principal matters is of the utmost confe quence. I have used my endeavours to render this part of the work as ufeful as poffible, by ftating each point under all the heads, that will naturally be reforted to for the folution of any doubt. Having thus explained the nature of my ar rangement, the mode which I have adopted in the difcuffion of each chapter, and the fources> from which my information is derived, I prefent this volume to the public. The utility and neceffity of fuch a work are univerfally acknowl edged; the attempt is therefore deferving of fome praise, and for the defects in the execution, I throw myself upon the candour of my profef fion. The fubject was noble, and required greater talents than mine, to treat it as it de ferved; but if I fhall have at all done juftice to the great abilities of thofe diftinguished charac ters ters whose names appear in every page, I fhall in fome measure have attained the object of my wishes, and fhall have the pleasure of reflecting, that the time I spent in the compofition of this work, has been at least productive of much perfonal fatisfaction and improvement. B |