THE SIXTH EDITION,

In which the Text is carefully collated with the original Work; the marginal
References corrected; new References from the modern Reporters added;
a Variety of Manufcript Cafes inferted; and the whole enlarged by an In-
corporation of the feveral Statutes upon Subjects of Criminal Law, to the
TWENTY-SEVENTH YEAR OF GEORGE THE THIRD. To which an Expla
natory Preface is prefixed, and new and copious Indexes are fubjoined.

PUBLISHED FOR THE EDITOR:

And fold by THOMAS WHIELDON, Bookfeller, No. 43, Fleet street.
Price One Pound Eight Shillings in Boards.

M,DCC,LXXVII.

LXXXVII.

то

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

SIR JAMES EYRE, KNIGHT,

LORD CHIEF BARON

OF HIS MAJESTY'S COURT OF EXCHEQUER.

MY LORD,

Tis a

HE permiffion to infcribe my humble labours to your Lordship, is a teftimony of your Lordship's known difpofition to encourage even the appearance of useful industry.

The original Work, as well from the nature of its subject, as from its established merit, feems to poffefs a natural claim to your Lordship's protection. It regards a fyftem of law, the most serious and important in its confequences to the interefts of fociety; the profound knowledge, and firm, but benevolent administration of which, has eminently distinguished your Lordship in the eyes of the profeffion, and of the public.

Your Lordship will permit me to join in that refpect and veneration which is so justly entertained for your Lordship's high judicial character; and particularly to exprefs the honour and gratitude I feel in being allowed to subscribe myself,

TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE

THOMAS Lord PARKER,

Baron of

MACCLESFIELD,

Lord Chief Juftice of ENGLAND.

MY LORD,

THE

HE following Treatife, containing that part of the law, which is peculiarly under the adminiftration of the chief juftice of England, I prefumed, in regard to the fubject of it, to think of presenting it to your lordship, which your goodnefs having been pleafed to permit, it is with the lefs uneafiness that I venture to make it public; for I could not hope to introduce it into the world with greater advantage than under your protection.

This was the real ground of my ambition, to dedicate it to your lordship, and not to give myfelf an opportunity of publishing how much I honour thofe wonderful talents, that have raised you to fo high a station: A private character indeed may be fet forth to advantage, and many virtues in it be made known by an addrefs of this nature, which might otherwife have lain for ever concealed: But your lordship's is public and confpicuous, and can appear no where with fo much. luftre as when you fit in judgment, where that vaft genius you are blessed with, fhines forth to all the world, adorned with all the improvements that human art can furnish, and fupported with the greatest courage and integrity.

And nothing lefs, my lord, could give you that command of all the variety of business which comes before you, and that facility with which you dispatch it: The most intricate points of law, that have for ages lain in confufion and obfcurity, when they fall under your lordship's confideration, receive fuch light, are ftated and explained with fuch exact method, and fuch propriety and beauty of expreffion, that the most polite compofitions appear not more elegant, nor the most demon

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