BYTHEWOOD AND JARMAN'S PRECEDENTS IN CONVEYANCING, by Mr. Sweet, in 12 vols. 8vo. (nearly completed). The practical notes to this very extensive and valuable collection of precedents are held in high estimation among conveyancers. Vide ante, p. 574.

ARCHBOLD'S BANKRUPT LAW, by Flather (10th ed.), [1845], 1 thick vol. 12mo. (with a supplement).

PRACTICE OF THE CROWN OFFICE, 1 small

vol. 12mo. Ante, p. 607.

NISI PRIUS, in 2 vols. 12mo. Ante, p. 772.
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, in 3 thick vols.

12mo. Ante, p. 621.

CRIMINAL PLEADING AND EVIDENCE (9th edit.), 1 vol. 12mo., by Mr. Jervis, Q. C. Ante, p. 620.

BURN'S JUSTICE, by Messrs. Thomas Chitty, and Bere, in 6 thick 8vo. vols. Ante, p. 621.

RUSSELL ON CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS, by Mr. Greaves, in 2 large vols. 8vo. Ante, p. 620.

HARRISON'S DIGEST, in 4 thick 8vo. vols. Ante, p. 780. STARKIE ON EVIDENCE, in 3 vols. 8vo., 3d ed. (1842). Ante, p. 755.

PHILLIPS ON EVIDENCE, vol. 1. (Published as two volumes). Ante, p. 756.

ROSCOE'S EVIDENCE, by Mr. Smirke, (6th ed.).

ROGERS ON ELECTIONS, 1 thick vol. 12mo. (6th ed.) Ante p. 770.

ELLIOTT ON ELECTIONS, 1 vol. 12mo. (6th ed.) Ante, p. 770.

MACQUEEN'S PRACTICE OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS, 1

vol. 8vo. Ante, p. 771.

CHITTY ON CONTRACTS, 1 thick vol. 8vo. (The 4th edition is preparing). Ante, p. 758.

CHITTY'S GENERAL PRACTICE, in 3 vols. 8vo. Ante, pp. 777, et seq.

STEPHEN'S COMMENTARIES ON THE LAWS OF ENGLAND, in 3 vols. 8vo. (the 4th volume is preparing).

MOODY AND ROBINSON'S NISI PRIUS REPORTS, at present extend to two volumes only, and are worthy of being procured and studied by students in both branches of the profession, on account of the brevity and accuracy with which the decisions are given, and the useful notes subjoined to those cases which are of superior interest and importance.

SMITH'S (J. W.) LEADING CASES, in 2 vols. Svo, Ante, P. 773.

932

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE INNS OF COURT-METHOD OF ENTERING THEM, KEEPING TERMS, AND BEING CALLED TO THE BAR-POWER OF THE BENCHERS TO REFUSE TO ADMIT INTO THE INNS OF COURT-OR TO CALL TO THE BAR; AND TO SUSPEND AND EXPEL BARRISTERS.

THERE are four Inns of Court, all ancient and wealthy, exercising the responsible right of admitting persons to practise at the Bar-the Inner Temple, the Middle Temple, Lincoln's Inn, and Gray's Inn. The sixth Report of the Common Law Commissioners (presented on the 13th March, 1834) contains an interesting account of these important institutions, and several suggested changes in their rules. Their principal recommendations will appear in the notes to the ensuing pages-but eleven years have elapsed, without any of the proposed alterations having been carried into effect. The truth is, that their regulations are so fair and reasonable, and the exercise of authority by the governing bodies has for ages been characterised by such prudence

The word "Inn" formerly signified the town residence of a nobleman, when he attended Court, (Stow, 125). The most obvious derivation of the words "Inn of Court," seems to have arisen from the circumstance of the seats of learning so designated, having been seminaries for bringing up students for practising in the courts of law, which were anciently held, as we have seen (ante, p. 439), in the aula regia, or Court of the King's palace.See Mr. Goldsmith's " English Bar, or Guide to the Inns of Court."— p. 4 (n.)

and integrity, and the instances of dissatisfaction with their proceedings have been so exceedingly rare, as to leave little room for beneficial changes of importance. The great practical security which the bar and the public possess, against malversation or mismanagement in the affairs of these societies, is to be found in the characters of the Benchers; who consist of all the most successful and distinguished members of the bar,-of persons whose whole lives have been passed subject to the scrutiny of their brethren and the public, and who can have no interests apart from those of the general body of members of the bar, for whom they are trustees. The number of Benchers in the Inner and Middle Temple, and Lincoln's Inn, averages at present between forty and fifty each those of Gray's Inn are between fifteen and twenty. There are certain minor discrepancies between their rules and usages, which occasion a little inconvenience and embarrassment to persons seeking to elect between one of the four inns, and render it difficult to give a correct and intelligible account of them. The author has some reason to believe, however, that measures will be ere long taken, and are now, indeed, in contemplation, for the purpose of assimilating to a great extent, the rules and proceedings of all the four inns.-We shall now proceed to give a short account of these matters, based upon the above-mentioned Report, and upon personal inquiry at the offices of the respective inns: the under treasurers and stewards of which are always ready to afford the fullest information to applicants for it. The student is also referred to a useful little work published in 1843, (Spettigue, Chancery Lane) entitled "The English Bar, or Guide to the Inns of Court-by George Goldsmith, of the Middle Temple, Barrister at Law."

1. AS TO THE ADMISSION OF STUDENTS.*

The following rules appear to have been adopted by all the four societies ::

Before any person can be admitted a member, he must furnish a statement in writing, describing his age, resi

• The following interesting observations upon the origin of the power of the inns of Court to call to the bar, are contained in the introductory part of the Report :

"The four inns of court-the Inner Temple, the Middle Temple, Lincoln's Inn, and Gray's Inn-severally enjoy the privilege of conferring the rank of barrister at law,-one which constitutes an indispensable qualification for practising in the superior courts.

"No means of obtaining that rank exist, but that of becoming enrolled as a student in one or other of these inns, and afterwards applying to its prin. cipal officers (or benchers) for a call to the bar.

"The origin of this privilege of the inns of court appears to be involved in considerable obscurity.

"It was observed by Lord Mansfield, in the case of The King v. Gray's Inn, Doug. 354, that the original institution of the inns of court nowhere precisely appears; but it is certain that they are not corporations, and have no charter from the crown. They are voluntary societies, which, for ages, have submitted to government analogous to that of other seminaries of learning; but all their power of admission to the bar, is delegated to them from the judges; and in every instance the conduct of their societies is subject to the control of the judges as visitors.

"In support of these positions, a variety of passages are cited from Dugdale's Origines Judiciales, which clearly show that, in former times, the judges and the benchers made regulations to be observed by the inns of court, not only respecting the admission to the bar, but generally regarding the conduct of the members of the inn, and the admission of students.

"Many instances will be found, in the appendix, of such orders, sometimes made by advice of the privy council and judges, and sometimes by the judges only, and sometimes by the benchers, by advice and direction of the judges, and proceeding from the king's suggestion.

"There does not appear to be an instance, in modern times, in which the judges have interfered with the internal regulations of the different societies, though there are several in which they have acted as visitors, upon appeals to them from the decisions of the benchers respecting calls to the bar.

"In the case of Mr. Wooler, reported as the case of The King v. The