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dation of an extended and durable superstructure of legal knowledge.

Chronology and geography have, with great propriety, been denominated the eyes of history. They enable the historian to take a comprehensive view of a long and infinitely varied series of events, which, like the differently formed links of an extended chain, are obviously distinguished from each other, yet connected by ties equally manifest. They likewise impart a fixity and locality to our ideas, which impress them indelibly on the mind; so that disconnected events are, by the aid of chronology, united and fixed in the memory; whilst geography is no less instrumental, by giving to such events all those interests and sympathies which belong to place.

So in the science of law, leading decisions establish resting places for the mind; they form so many epochas in juridical history; and, if attended to, render a service to the legal inquirer, similar to that which is afforded to the historian by chronology and geography.

The undivided infinity of time, in common with the boundless and trackless regions of space, bewilders and wearies the mind; and for steady and useful contemplation it is essential, that there should be fixed periods and determined places whence to compute time and measure space: so in the interminable regions of jurisprudence, the mind would soon be confused and exhausted, were it not for those great and learned cases on which it occasionally is allowed to repose, and from which the various relations and dependencies of this august science may be contemplated.

It is scarcely necessary to attempt an illustration of the practical utility of a knowledge of these leading cases, by whom best reported, and even the pages where they are to be found, which is a matter of much less difficulty than may at

first be imagined. The memory is a very improvable and docile faculty, and after principles are impressed, such minutiæ as the names of cases, their reporters, and even the pages, should not be neglected, as they afford much facility in the course of an extensive practice. A knowledge of one or more leading cases on most of the great doctrines of this science, is of infinite utility, as by reference to them, the inquirer is at once furnished by the marginal or other citations with a comprehensive view of the law on the particular subject. As for example: On the various species of bailments, and the respective duties of bailees, the great case of Coggs v. Bernard, 2 Ld. Raymond 909, may be referred to. If the point of inquiry be the conclusiveness of a sentence in a foreign court of admiralty, the case of Hughes v. Cornelius, 2 Show. 232. As to the authority of domestic judgments, Moses v. M'Farlane, 2 Burr. 1005. On the necessity of pleading with a profert, Reed v. Brookman, 3 Du. and Ea. 151. The distinction between case and trespass vi et armis, Scott v. Shepherd, 2 Black. 892. As to the right of a feme covert to sue or be sued, Marshall v. Rutton, 8 Du. and Ea. 545. The legality of agreements in restraint of trade, Mitchell v. Reynolds, 1 Peer. Wms. 181. On the effect of a demurrer to evidence, Gibson v. Hunter, 2 Hen. Black. 187. Whether money paid under a mistake be subject to repetition, Bilbie v. Lumley, 2 East, 469. As to legacies in terrorem, Scott v. Tyler, 2 Dick. Rep. 712. The dependence and independence of covenants, Kingston v. Preston, Doug. 684; or Pordage v. Cole, 1 Wms. Saund. 320. The validity or nullity of the deeds of infants, Zouch v. Parsons, 3 Burr. 1794. As to fraud in the sale of personal property, Twyne's case, 3 Co. 80. The personal responsibility of agents to the persons contracted with, Macbeath v. Haldiman, 1 Du. and Ea. 172, or Hodgson v. Dexter, 1 Cranch. 345.

As to variance between the allegata and probata, Bristow v. Wright, Doug. 664. As to the validity of a deed by feme on the eve of marriage, defeating the marital rights of her future husband, Carleton v. Earl of Dorset, 2 Vernon 17; King v. Cotton, 2 P. Wms. 674; or Countess of Strathmore v. Bowes, 2 Brow. Ch. Rep. 345. As to the extent of the consideration of marriage to validate deeds against the claims of subsequent purchasers, under statute 27 Eliz.; White v. Stringer, 2 Lev. 105; Jenkins v. Keymis, 1 Lev. 150. That an agent must perform the authorized act in the name of his principal, Combe's case, 9 Co. 76; Wilks v. Back, 2 East, 142; Appleton v. Binks, 5 East, 148. Fowler v. Shearer, 7 Mass. T. Rep. 14. The great patent cases of Hornblower v. Bolton, 8 Du. and Ea. 95. Bolton v. Bull, 2 Hen. Black. 463. As to responsibility for damages resulting, either from suggestio falsi, or suppressio veri respecting another's credit, even though defendant was no way interested in, or benefitted by plaintiff's loss; Pasley v. Freeman, 3 Du. and Ea. 59.-Hutchinson v. Bell, 1 Taunt. Rep. 558.

In this way should the student treasure in his mind a governing case on every interesting doctrine of the law. As his mind matures, he will find no difficulty in retaining the names of most of the important cases which will lead him directly into the channel in which the law of a subject may be found at large. The subject of note books we have treated much in detail. Vid. post. It may, however, be well in this place, to advise the student to preserve, in a book for the purpose, a list of all such cases as in the course of his reading he may ascertain to be distinguished and leading; which should be placed under the heads to which they belong. The titles should be alphabetically arranged, and the cases only of great learning or importance should be inserted, without a comment,

except where best reported. This kind of note book will consume but little of the student's time, will prove of great utility in the prosecution of his future inquiries, and will be found eminently serviceable, when the pressing and multifarious duties of a counsellor will so occupy his time, as to render highly important every means, which is calculated to abridge

his labours.

PARTICULAR SYLLABUS.

TITLE V.

'Habeant curiæ prætoriæ potestatem tam subveniendi contra rigorem legis, quam supplendi defectum legis. Si enim porrigi debet remedium ei quem lex præteriit, multo magis ei quem vulneravit.'-Bacon De Aug. Scient. Lib. viii. cap. iii.

THE LAW OF EQUITY.

e. 1. For a succinct account of the origin of Equity Jurisdiction, read Reeves's History of English Law, vol. i. p. 59; vol. ii. p. 250; vol. iii. p. 188, 273, 379; vol. iv. p. 368; vol. v. p. 158; and the first twelve chapters of Parke's History of the Court of Chancery. London, 1828. (Note 1.)

2. 'Of the Practical Proceedings of Courts of

Equity.' [Revise Wooddeson's Lectures, vol.

iii. part 3d. Lecture 55.]

e. 3. 'Of the Court of Chancery.'

[Revise the

chapter in 2 Bacon's Abridgment, p. 134, &c.] 4. Story's 'Commentaries on Equity Jurisprudence, as administered in England and

America.' Cambridge, 1835, 1 vol. 8vo. (Note 2.)

E. e. 5. Jeremy's Treatise on the Equity Jurisdiction of the High Court of Chancery. London, 1828.

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