CHAPTER XVI.
On the Law as between English Railway Companies and the Public.
It is not the writer's intention, under this heading, to enter upon a minute examination of the whole body of what is known as "Railway Law." The limits of the present work would not indeed admit of this, nor is it necessary, for books of reference already exist, edited by competent hands, and affording the widest information upon all the legal questions which can arise in connection with railways. These are, however, for the most part overlaid with legal formulae, references to case law and Acts of Parliament, and contain a great deal of matter which can possess no interest for the general reader; so that, without in any way trenching upon their province, it may be useful to give here a brief summary, in "language to be understanded of the people," of the most important provisions of the laws which govern railway companies in their daily dealings with the public. It has been said that a little law, like a little knowledge, is a dangerous thing; and it has been likewise remarked that "the man who is his own lawyer has a fool for his client"; but all this proverbial philosophy must be taken cum grano, and it may well be that a little intelligent appreciation of the state of the law on a given subject
