availed myself of the learning and labours of my predecessors, I have studiously acknowledged, and beg to repeat my acknowledgment of the debt. The plan of stating fundamental principles, and of illustrating them by leading cases, is, perhaps, to a certain extent, original; and I may also add, that I have endeavoured anxiously to mark distinctly the recent changes in, and existing principles of, the Law of Evidence, and to bring down the review of cases to the date of publication. The chapter on the Measure of Damages is also, as far as I am aware, a new feature in a treatise on the Law of Evidence. E. P. THE TEMPLE, January, 1856. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. some In this second edition, I have retrenched redundancies, corrected several errors, and supplied, as I hope, many deficiencies. I have added much original matter, and have inserted two new chaptersone on the General Issue, and another on Interrogatories. I have also endeavoured to incorporate, under their proper titles, the substance of all the cases and statutes which have become part of the Law of Evidence since the publication of the first edition. THE TEMPLE, E. P. CONTENTS. ... CHAPTER III.-On Bills of Exceptions, New Trials, and De- murrers to Evidence.On the Competency of Witnesses CHAPTER IV.-On the rule that the best Evidence must be given.-On Primary and Secondary Evidence CHAPTER X.-On Evidence of Ancient Possession CHAPTER XI.-On Evidence in questions of Pedigree... CHAPTER XII.-On Evidence of Dying Declarations... |