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CHAPTER XIX, 
LA OW. 
ALTHOUGH the law publications of last year contain little new or interest« 
jag matter to a general reader, the lawyer’s library has obtained by one, at least, 
of them, an important acquisition. Mr. East’s Pleas of the Crown is a work of 
much consequence to the profession, not only as it is a revision of the penal law 
of the country, executed by a barrister of great experience and learning, but, in an 
especial degree, as that revision has been completed with the use of all those pri 
vate collections of cases and determinations, of which it was known the judges had 
long availed themselves, without their being communicated tothe public. Our gys- 
tem of penal law, notwithstanding its dreadful catalogue of statutable offences, has 
always been our pride, as it has been the protector and guardian of that precious 
liberty, which Englishmen do not boast of moreyin the theory of their govern- 
ment than they enjoy it in its administration. ‘To have the whole system of that 
law, which establishes his personal security, presented to him in a shape of easy re- 
ference, and ‘clear analytical statement, must prove grateful to every one of our 
countrymen; and it is much to the honour of our learned men in high stations, 
that they have so generously aided in its execution. 
The various periodical reports of Messrs. East, Puller, and Bosanquet, Vezey, 
jan. Robertson, Forrest, and Espinasse, are continued as usual; and as the public 
have long recognized their obligations to these gentlemen, and are already suffi- 
ciently acquainted with their merits, it is not necessary to do more at present than 
merely to notice the continuance of these labours, which are so highly useful to the 
profession. 
' Amongst the reporters is a posthumous work of Mr. Dickens, the late senior- 
register of the court of chancery. ‘The cases of which his notes are given éxtend 
through a period of many years, and were chiefly taken by himself during his long 
attendance in that court ; but we fear their value is lessened by the very circum- 
stance of the great delay in their publication. 
A new edition.of Swinburne’s celebrated book upon Last Wills is the most im- 
portant of that kind of performance, and is calculated to bring it into more gene- 
ral use. . 
In short, we may congratulate the profession to which these publications peculiarly 
belong, that in spite of their limited circulation and sale superior minds continue to 
be engaged in them, and most honourably strive to advance its utility and re- 
nown. 
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