The Law of Estoppel

or may be implied from conduct, might, we thought, be appropriately treated of by means of propositions, supported by illustrations carefully classified, and arranged, as far as possible, in chronological order; and we have accordingly so dealt with them. In other parts we have contented ourselves with simply stating the law, and giving a reference to the authorities in the notes. We should have dealt somewhat more fully with some of the older cases, had space permitted us to do so.

In the Introductory Chapter we have made an attempt to clear the character of our subject from that odium in which it has been supposed to be enveloped. In the Appendix is contained a concise report of the Duchess of Kingston's Case, together with full citations of the numerous authorities referred to by the various counsel in the case; and this is preceded by a short account of the nature of the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical courts previously thereto.

In citing the cases, only one reference is used, as a rule, in the body of the work. But, in the Table of Cases, fuller references, usually at least two, are given, and every case has been dated, an important detail which every lawyer will appreciate.

We fully acknowledge the assistance we have derived, in the preparation of this work, from the note in Smith's Leading Cases above referred to, which directed us, in

the first instance, to many sources of information which we might otherwise have passed over. The task of writing the book has nevertheless involved a considerable amount of original research, both amongst old and modern authorities; and, notwithstanding the fact that the cases connected with the subject are very numerous, we have, as far as possible, made reference to those which seemed to us of sufficient importance.

Knihy