362 HARVARD LAW REVIEW. zine articles and certain well advised extracts from other related cases. But following the principal cases there are no citations of cases accord and contra and there is no editorial discussion of the authority. This is to be regretted. Doubtless the editor can find sanction for these omis- sions ; but the other policy is now more often found to characterize a case book of the highest order. b. w. Selected Cases on the Law of Property in Land. Edited by Wil- liam A. Finch. New York : Baker, Voorhis, & Co. 1898. pp. xxiv, 1151. To give the student some idea of the growth of the law, to make him more ready to feel its tendencies and to solve its new problems — all this is no part of Mr. Finch's purpose in the present volume. Presumably he has left it to the instruction accompanying the study. His sole aim seems to be to show what are the prevailing rules of the law of property in America to-day. His method is to make a comprehensive scheme of the law, dividing and subdividing it into a multitude of minor topics which, speaking roughly, include all that is usually given in a course on real property in one of our law schools. These sub-topics are treated as units, a group of cases — or more often a single case — shows the generally accepted rule of law in regard to each of them, constant cross-references show its relation to the rest of the subject. The cases selected are always modern, to the point, and illustrative — though not leading. The re- quirements of space which cut the collection down to a single volume forced the compiler always to leave out the pleadings and the statements of fact — yet these are the data of the legal problems. To the student of this volume the lawof property must appear only a succession of fairly definite rules that stand ready to be applied to every need. No notes guide him to further research, his cases give him no idea of the conflict of authorities, he must rely solely on the acumen and judgment of the com- piler. The book points constantly to a complete knowledge of the law rather than a thorough understanding of it. But granting these Hmitations — which the compiler clearly under- stood — the work seems well done. The careful and exhaustive subdi- vision which is the most distinctive characteristic of the book is usually admirable. Leading seldom to confusion, it is often, particularly as to the law of fixtures, original and helpful. The student of the book may not gain a grip of legal principles ; he will surely have a sound guide for actual litigation. j. p. c, jr. Forms of Pleading. Prepared with especial reference to the codes of procedure of the various states and adapted to the present practice in many common law states. By Austin Abbott. Completed for publication after his decease by Carlos C. Alden. In two volumes. Vol. I. New York : Baker, Voorhis, &.Co. 1898. pp. xxxiii, 803. The old muzzle-loading precedents of the common law pleading have lost their value in the eyes of the active American practitioner. The model which is to be of service to him in constructing his own pleadings must be dominated by the " New Procedure " under which he is working. And this work of Mr. Abbott's — if one can judge by the first volume only — will give him a series of just such models. He will have a coUec-
