ΤΟ JONAT JONATHAN PEEL, Esq., OF ACCRINGTON HOUSE, LANCASHIRE. MY DEAR PEEL, It affords me great gratification to inscribe to you this work, containing the results of some years' experience, and attentive observation of professional men, manners, and pursuits. Many of the topics discussed in it, have formed the subject of frequent conversation between us, during our intercourse at the Bar, in town, and on circuit; and I believe that upon most, if not indeed all, of them, we are agreed. I sincerely regret that circumstances have interrupted, though not our friendship, our close companionship: but I rejoice at the cause of it— that you should have been induced to retire from the Bar, in the prime of life, to enjoy the advantages of suddenly-augmented fortune, and also to sustain its responsibilities, by availing yourself,-I trust—in the public service of your country, of that learning and discipline, for which you are indebted to the noble profession you have quitted. Accept, then, this memorial of our friendship-this testimony to your talent-to your private worth-to the modest manliness of your character, and that unwavering honour and integrity, which earned you the respect of all who knew you. While you are enjoying your otium cum dignitate, an occasional glance at this work will remind you, I trust not unpleasantly, of scenes which you have quitted for ever, but amongst which my lot is cast for the rest of my life. Believe me to remain, My dear PEEL, Your sincere Friend, SAMUEL WARREN. INNER TEMPLE, PREFACE TO THE PRESENT EDITION. THOUGH nominally a second edition of a book published by the author ten years ago, the present one is essentially a new work, of which the former may be considered as little more than an imperfect epitome. The reason of such a complete change both of plan and execution, has been, the author's conviction that the original work might be greatly improved, and made much more extensively useful.-Since it was published, he has had ten years' additional experience both as a pleader, and at the Bar; and during that period has, of course, had more extensive opportunities than he had previously enjoyed, of becoming practically acquainted with the profession, in all its departments. The chief results of his experience and observation, are now submitted to the profession and the public, with deference and anxiety. Though aware of the strong, practised, and accomplished intellects to whose scrutiny he has ventured to expose his labours, he hopes that this work will, at all events, evince, on the part of its author, honesty of purpose, zeal in endeavouring to uphold the character and honour of the profession, and the pains taken to obtain, and communicate, correct information, on subjects of equal interest and importance, not only to those who have become, or intend to become, members of the profession, but also to those whose duty it is to advise them as to the selection of it. Whenever the author has felt at a loss, he has communicated with experienced and eminent persons in every department of the law, and obtained from them ample and authentic information. He here offers them his warm thanks for such services; particularly to those who have obliged him by revising some of the most important sheets of the work. It has been the earnest endeavour of the author to exhibit the advantage-nay, the absolute necessity-of students devoting more time, and more persevering and systematic labour, to the acquisition of legal knowledge, and of the power of using it, than are, he is convinced, at present bestowed by the great majority of those who of late years have crowded, and continue to crowd, in such numbers to the Bar,-of those who, in the language of a distinguished lawyer of former days (Roger North), "are apt to press to the Bar, when they are not half students;-which is the downfall of more young lawyers than all other errors and neglects whatever."* He has *Post, p. 851 (n.) |