and the operation of covenants by way of estoppel. The latter subject has been rewritten to some extent, but the author still retains the general position which he has always occupied, though he now attempts “to show that most of the doctrine is equitable and not legal.” It is a part of the law which has been the subject of much recent legislation: and the effect of covenants in passing title by direct operation of law has been wonderfully increased by statutes, especially in the Western States and Territories.
The subject of covenants which run with land is another which his received considerable attention at the hands of legislative bodies. In England there has been the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act of 1881. “On this side of the Atlantic, it will be found that the doctrine of the American cases is not standing the test of practical experience,” and statutes, codes, and the tendency of decision are effecting the necessary remedy.
The edition is a considerable improvement over the last one in its enlarged and better classified index, and in the division of the subject-matter into paragraphs, — features which will be appreciated by every reader.
H. M. W.
The Comic Blackstone. By Gilbert Abbott A’Beckett. New edition, revised and extended by Arthur Wm. A’Beckett. Barrister-at-Law, and illustrated by Harry Furniss. Bradbury, Agnew, & Co. London. 1887. 8vo. pp. 324. (Received from C. C. Soule, Boston.)
This classic of legal humor has shared the sacrilegious fate of the great English law-books in undergoing a new edition incorporating the recent statutory changes into the text. The present handsome edition has been a work of filial devotion in the son of the author. The additional matter incorporated preserves fairly the spirit of the original text, so that the work, in becoming more useful to English students, has lost none of its inimitable charm. Mr. Furniss’ illustrations are in his happy style, familiar to readers of Punch. Those whose heads have ached over the great commentaries will find a delicious revenge in reading this book, while students preparing for an examination in Blackstone would not err if they followed the example of their English fellow-sufferers in using the book for an enjoyable and profitable review.
B. H. L.
The Columbia Law Times, October, Vol. 1, No. 1; published by the Students of the Schools of Law and Political Science in Columbia College, New York, 1887.
The first number of this new venture in the field of college journalism contains the address delivered by Prof. Dwight to the graduating class of 1887: a discussion of the Cy Pres doctrine by S. A. Anderson; and a short article on the School of Law and the School of Political Science, by Prof. Smith. In addition to these articles there is a clear statement of the now finally settled case of the Anarchists, together with items, lecture notes, recent cases, book reviews, etc. The correspondence consists of a very favorable criticism of the work and methods of the Harvard Law School. In general appearance and make-up the “Law Times” is evidently modelled on our own Review, with what success is not for us to say.
