Preface. vii. 



Macpherson's. I can only say that, although I have had 

 weightier and more irksome tasks, I never had a more 

 dilBficult one in proportion to its scope than was assigned to 

 me by the Council of the Society when they invited me to 

 act as umpire between the competing essayists. All of 

 them, and especially the winners of the first and second 

 prizes, may feel satisfied that they have done good and useful 

 service to the cause which the Society has undertaken. 



Herbert Maxwell. 

 Monreith, 17th June, 1909. 



The Council of the Society, while strongly urging consideration of these 

 Essays, do not hold themselves responsible for the exactitude of the statements 

 regarding foreign laws, nor do they necessarily endorse every opinion expressed 

 within these covers. 



