Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-08

g The Practice in Courts Of Justice ~ En9iand
aud The United States BY Conway Robinson, OF
Richmond, Va. Vol L
The author Of this work has no superior as ju-
rist In Virginia, and few, If any, In the United
States. Though comparatively young man, ne
has enjoyed for many years past very large prac-
tce in the higher courts of his State and yet found
time 10 prepare several legal books, which are re-
earded as almost invaluable by his professional
brethren.
The present work the product of his matured
Judgment and ripper knowledge, may justly be re-
garded M the chsfr d'enpre of his life. Though
lately published il has already received high COM
mendation in various sections Of the Union. We
had intended to notice in detail some Of Its most
prominent features but the following from the Bos-
ton Atias is 80 complete and satisfactory that we
prefer to adopt It in lieu Of any comments Of our
own:
This is the first of series Of volumes upon Prac-
tice In Courts of Justice, upon which the author IL
now engaged. As its more full title indicates, the
present volume treats Of " the place and time Of a
transaction or proceeding" and is mainly occupied
with the conflict of laws, az effectng remedies, and
the statute Of limitations The book is divided into
convenient titles, chapters, and sections and has
about It an admirable method and precision, which
must make II invaluable as manual while, at the
same time, principles are stated with great clear
ness and concseness and the authorities cited with
fullness and accuracy. The style is simple and lu
cid and there Ia no attempt to overload with learn
ing or citations. The author contents himself with
the legitimate end Of a legal writer's statement
Of what the law is, supported by the reasons and
cases upon which 1t rests--without constantly con-
fusng the reader by elaborate discussions of what
1t ought TO be. There is practical character about
the work which gives it great value to the pract-
cling lawyer, for whom it is evidently intended
Upon many ofits tales there is a more copous col
lection Of authorities and better statement Of the
law, than in any work lately published.
We have no space to analyze the contents of the
volume before us. We barely mention few of its
titles The first is one ordinarily Of local. just now
Of general interest 1t is Of fugitives from JUS
tice, and slaves going to q State where slavery is
not allowed" To this some fifty pages are de-
votcd-and the effect upon slave of his going to
a State or country where slavery does not exist,
and of his subsequent return to slave State, and
of his escape to a free State or country &c., are
fully and ably discussed.
The rights and duties Of guardians, admins
traitors and bail in foreign States are treated clear
" and at length as also the subject ofarriagc and
divorce, 20 far as relates to practice, foreign judg
ments, the proof of foreign laws, records, and doc
umcnts. Some forty or fifty pages are devoted to
the title Of " Contracts and Proceedings on Sun
day" and as many more to the Computation Of
Time" upon both which the cases are fully exam
ined, and the results stated. Nearly third of
the whole volume is occupied with complete dis
cussion Of the statutes Of limitation.
Mr.. Robinson has been long and favorably known
as leading practitioner in the highest courts of
Law and equity in Virginia, and in the federal
courts. From l843 to 1874 he was reporter Of
decisions in that State, an Office his large and in
creasing business obliged him. to the regret Of the
bar, to resign. In 1s45 and '46 he was one Of two
commissioners appointed by the Legislature to re-
wise the statutes of the Commonwealth, labor
which resulted in the Virginia code in 1s4s. In
1852 the Constitution Of the State having been
entirely revised, Mr. r., although never participant
ing in politics, elected member of the Legis-
lature, with the view Of securing his services in
adapting the code to the new constitution. He
continued member from January to june when
he resigned his seat, and returned exclusively to
his practice. Since then he has found time to pre-
pare the volume before us, which has cost him evil
IDENTITY no little labor and care. We trust he may
be able to complete his undertaking, and we COM
mend it to the notice of the profession.