POSTSCRIPT.

SEVERAL events connected with the profession have very recently occurred which should not in a professional journal remain entirely without notice. Mr. Justice Erskine has retired from the Bench, from the state of his health. He was created Chief Judge of the Court of Review in 1832, when that Court was established, and was promoted to the Common Pleas in 1839. It would be impertinent for us to say more on the present occasion; than that he was an able, careful, and learned judge. He has been succeeded by Mr. Erle, whose appointment has given general satisfaction. It is highly to the credit of the Lord Chancellor, that in the distribution of his judicial patronage, so far at any rate as the superior courts are concerned, he has overlooked all other considerations than fitness for the office. No one can say that during his chancellorship he has not selected the best men he could find; and his last appointment has not discredited his former impartiality and penetration. We know not any one thing for which the country should be more grateful than this. In selecting the judges of the superior courts (as indeed in all judicial situations) party feeling should be laid aside; and it is to be observed that this can be done the more safely, as men peculiarly fitted for judges are very rarely strong partisans.

Mr. Holt, who was appointed by Lord Bexley Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster, has died. He was the author of a work on the Law of Libel, somewhat noticed in its day, and some other works. Mr. Horace Twiss has succeeded him, with the general approbation of the profession. The equity jurisdiction of this court has been recently extended.

Some sensation has been created by the public notice taken at the Central Criminal Court of certain irregular practices among the regular practitioners of that court. All that we can say in this matter, if the practices alleged be true, which they seem to be, is that they show that this court, and the corresponding sessions, are governed by rules different from those recognized by all other courts and all other sessions in this country; and this, perhaps, has been long the professional understanding as to them. The only defence made has been, "Oh! it is true I did so and so; but then I am no worse than Mr. A., and Mr. B., and Mr. C., who are doing the like every day :" to which Messrs. A. and B. and C. make no

reply. We do not know that these offences can be otherwise reached than by the general reprobation and contempt of all who really have any respect either for themselves or their profession; but we have reason to think that the matter is under the consideration of the benchers. We have heard of a case perhaps even more gross than these occurring in another court; but as this is certainly sub judice, we cannot enter into it. anticipate from these disclosures is, that they

The good that we may call attention

to the present state of legal education, and lead on to the proper steps being taken to reform it.

It is said that the Local Court Bill is certainly to be passed in the next session; it is said that Mr. Watson will renew his motion for a Committee as to the Chancery Compensations: and we think both these rumours may turn out to be true, although we have no other authority for them. There is more certainty in a Bill to amend the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Act (7 & 8 Vict. c. 96.), which we have reason to believe will be introduced either by the Government or Lord Brougham. How often is it to be regretted that the only mode of legislation in this country is to carry a principle by one act, and then to work it out by amendment acts. For this no one is to blame: it is the system; and to that attention has been directed in the present Number.

While on this subject we may also remark on the manner in which the Transfer of Property Act was carried. It was brought in at the commencement of the session, and read a first time; it was then allowed to slumber until the end of July, no step being taken in it-the general opinion of the profession being that it was not to be proceeded with. It was, however, then rapidly moved through the remaining stages in both Houses without a word being said, and was passed certainly without due notice or consultation. Indeed we have heard that it was sent to one learned Judge for his opinion and report, who set aside a day for looking at it, but on happening to take up a newspaper on the appointed day, found that it had already become law!

A meeting of the equity bar has taken place at Westminster, to consider the insufficiency of the present rooms allotted to the two new Vice-Chancellors, and a deputation was appointed to wait on the Lord Chancellor on the subject, to represent that proper courts should be given to them; a representation which surely it should never have been necessary to have made.

A further reduction of fees in office copies in Chancery has been made in the present term.

Michaelmas Term, 1844.

LAW BOOKS RECENTLY PUBLISHED.

New Commentaries on the Laws of England (partly founded on Blackstone). By Henry John Stephen, Serjeant-at-Law. Vol. iii. Price 24s.

The Law and Practice in Bankruptcy, as altered by the New Statutes, Orders and Decisions. By Basil Montague, Esq. Q. C., and Scrope Ayrton, Esq., Barristers-at-Law. The second edition, by John Herbert Koe, Esq. Q. C., and Samuel Miller, Esq., Barristers-at-Law. In 2 vols. 8vo. Price 2l. 2s.

A Treatise on the Practice of the Court of Chancery, with an Appendix of Forms and Precedents of Costs adapted to the last New Orders. By John Sidney Smith, late of the Six Clerks' Office. Third edition, revised and enlarged. 2 vols. 8vo. Price 21. 10s.

The Law and Practice in Bankruptcy, as founded on the recent Statutes. By J. F. Archbold, Esq., Barrister-at-Law. The tenth edition, by John Flather, Esq., of Lincoln's Inn, Barrister-at-Law.

The New Chancery Practice; being a condensed Treatise of the Practice of the Court of Chancery as altered by the recent Statutes and Orders, and by the abolition of the Six Clerks' Office. By Hubert Ayckbourne, Esq. Price 14s.

The Practice in the Offices of the Masters on the Plea Side of the Superior Common Law Courts at Westminster; showing the Principles and Rules observed by the Masters on the Taxation of Costs, and other matters. By Thomas Dax, Esq., one of the Trustees of the Court of Exchequer. Price 15s.

A Book of Costs in the Courts of Queen's Bench, Common Pleas, and Ex. chequer, including the Crown and Queen's Remembrancer's Offices, also in Bankruptcy and the Court for Relief of Insolvent Debtors', in Conveyancing, and miscellaneous matters. Second edition, containing the new Directions upon the Lower Scale and Queen's Prison Fees, with a full Index. By Owen Richards. Price 18s.

Precedents of Mortgages, Transfer of Mortgages, and Conveyances of Mortgaged Property, extending to Freehold, Copyholds, and Leaseholds, and introducing New Forms of Copyhold Mortgages, obviating, without injury to Lord, Steward, Copyholder, or Solicitor the present Difficulties in the effecting Transfers of Copyhold Securities, and realising Payment by Sale of the Property, with References to the Stamp Duties, Cases decided thereon, &c. By Rolla Rouse, Esq., Barrister-at-Law. Price 18s.

The New Practice of Attornies in the Courts of Law at Westminster, with Forms including the recent Statute as to Attornies, and the Cases decided thereon; also an Appendix, comprising Questions of Practice, by which the Errors in Proceedings may be detected, and the proper mode of taking advantage of them adopted. By John Frederick Archbold, Esq. Barrister-at-Law. In 2 vols. 12mo. Price 17. 12s.

The Law of Warrants of Attorney, Cognovits, and Consent to Judges' Orders for Judgment, with Forms. By Benjamin Coulson Robinson, Esq., of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law. 12mo. Price 6s.

A Treatise on the Law of Defamation, with Forms of Pleadings. By George Wingrove Cooke, Esq., of the Middle Temple, Barrister-at-Law. Price 14s.

12mo.