PREFACE 



VERY few words are needed here, for the book is meant to explain 

 its own scope. I have only to thank those to whose kindness I am 

 deeply indebted. Professor Buckland was so good as to help me when 

 I was striving to utilize the evidence of the Roman jurists. Chapter XLIX 

 in particular owes much to his genial chastisement. On chapters II 

 and LXI Mr G G Coulton has given me most valuable criticism. Yet 

 I thank these gentlemen with some reluctance, fearing that I may 

 seem to connect their names with errors of my own. Mr T R Glover 

 kindly read chapter XXIX. Professor Housman called my attention to 

 the ' Farmer's Law,' and kindly lent me Mr Ashburner's articles, to 

 which I have referred in Appendix B. To all these, and to the Syndics 

 of the University Press for undertaking the publication of this uncon- 

 ventional work, I hereby express my sincere gratitude. My reasons 

 for adopting the method followed in this book are given on pages 5-6 



and 468. 



W E HEITLAND 



CAMBRIDGE 

 August 1920 



