New-York daily tribune., 1858-04-22
NEW PUBLICA ITON&.


BEFORE the publ ,a.ion Of NJ. f. D. Smith tf', 'nu
s.espd volumes of Reports, the sdjudi'a1oie Q. '"e
H,v.York Cours Of Commoa P,ess, though ei9 '5ns
high local yeput Ai;on were little kno"h ou' VI 80
stste Of Eev.Y,k. These Reports have gwen "o
tribunal who're decisions they contain '0'"1 80
pesition ,hroughou: the country. Ihey nave
beep consulted and quoted by tne P' 'o0'' -.
ter,iy.ly than any other recent 'ou"''e -
o,.,.s.or for their popularity at the br ar'see
g.. ~. ,iae Jurisdiction of the Common fies' aha
N. con,.ouen. variety Of legal 'opc' "h'cn 's
a..;.ion, touch The jurisdiction o. toe Nes-iofK
Cmmop Pleas is prac; csy more extensive 'hen tha'
of an, judicial tribura in Amsriea. we say p'ec'-
IN. y c.use IL theory the New-York Supreme Court
has q wider sweep Of authority, and acts til more
6,edcm on parties residen: in dstan portions OF the
s.,e But this power over distant parties is no, ofen
e,erced ord is more than coun.erbaanced by others
pcssessed by lite coordinate court TIE Common Pleas
Ike the Spprerne Court, has common law aud eq1i.y
Jurisdiction in all civil actions between parties subject
" s territorial jurisdiction. But beyond that il the
reyisory tribunal Of the Marine and Dsrct Courts OF
the CITY Of New.York, and II likewise has exclusive
jurisdicon except in trfDg cases, Of all the comPA-
Gated questions which arise out tf tie laws relating 20
mechanics liens. Mr.. Sdiths present volume we
thi the best Of the three, both 10 matter aud Tnan-
rtr; there 10 great deal good law in i, and trss
well stated. In nearly all the cases reported whch
have goIe TO the COu OF Appeal the deoHois OF the
Common Pleas have been affirmed. We commend
.fpeeay the breviiy of the opinions. Tne book con-
tans l45 cases rep rted in 69l cssehere
fore occupies lees than FIVE pager. Among the cases
10 this volume are two which raise question "'
national ntereft, AID which, i'll soDe fOrh w" i'hs
be carried to the Supreme Court oi the Unteo os'es'
We refer 70 the question whether laws taxing tue
o.ofo, ,boxC Ctota 10 a fInd
Tor the Fire Department of NewYork City ere cors.'-
tntiona The Common Pleas has decided this point 10
the affirmative and their decision has been affirmed
by the Court Of Appeals. But there s Il conflict OF
epipon on the subiect still, and Mr.. Smith has col
keted and publiebed in this volume the brief written
opint ns this point Of the lOwog eminent lawyers
Daniel Webster Of Massachusetts, Samuel Jones and
George Wood of New-York, Mark Skinner OF Illinois,
and William l.. Dayton OF New-Jersey. These
opinions will be read with interest. Mr.. Smths index
TO this volume is to be noticed with peculiar approba
baton. marked defect Of Amer )sn books, bjth
professional and miscellaneous, their wab: OF indexes
Every work printed should have it's whole c0ntelts
repeated in condensed form in its index, and 81 ar
BANGED that glance will tell whether il contains what
you are locking for not. Such reference table is
indispensable in law books, for law above s others,
Il profession of emergencies, and if the practcing
attorney cannot lay his hand his learning az a
moment notice it frequently might as well be in tne
bottom Of the sea as in his bo0ks In The present
volume The index occupies over hundred pages, snd
h al once accurate and exhaustive If the index titles
should appear at the top Of each page il would Increase
the facility ofreference. Mr.. Smiths notes are brief
and pertinent 1t is understood that the series is to be
continued the Reporter confniDg himself as heretofore
10 ielected Gener Il Term decisions only.
SERMONS. PREACHED AT TRINITY cHAPEL BRIGM- ISiIt
TON By the late Rev FREpERIeK W. ROBERTSON 4@mo'
pp. 942 Boston: Teknor Fields
Seldom hss more generous and manly spirit been
devoted 70 the sbors of the pulpit than the preacher
of these posthumous dscourses. They have little to
ser knotty points Of theology, they make no show
Of scholastic Earning; never sc to astonsh oy IA
geLious subeties do not aim ct striking orgicaty;
Ior are they specimens os either brilliant eoquence or
severe logic; ba. they produce a deep impression By
thtI lmge, humane, catholic symplthies their s!mple
ind almost ch3like nsturalness their sing liar frank
ess Of expression, and certain courageousneas Of ap
eal-al Of which qualities are eviien.y ingralned IN
he pers0Ds character Of the This is the secret OF
h.ir power. Mr.. Robertson was bit young man at
Re time Of bis decease in 1853. He was the son OF
B,itish officer and was himself intended for the military
profes ssion TO which he had strong natural irclna-
ton But he was induced to foego the dreams Of am
bon and devote himself TO the service Of the Church.
After graduating at Oxford he pursued his clerical Ia
bore for several yesrs in comparative obscurity when
he was transferred to conspicuous post The chspel
in Brighton which he was called to occupy ws5 filed
by one Of the most arstocratic and intellectual audi
diencee in England His infusnce at rose 70 the
highest pitch. For six years crowds waited on bis
mnistry with undated enthusiasm. Every power OF
bic nature was e1ered 10 win people to religion. lie
not only preached like apostle, In the pulpit bat
sought them in their homes, in their hauns of vice,
never losing sight Of SOUL while there any chance
Of salvation. His great success soon awakened re-
gious jeaousies. His freedom from cant and starch
was commented by evilminded persons. lie was
attacked with abuse bis words were twisted his
meaning misrepresented aud he was persecuted with
RELENTLESS venom that emb.erei his life la spite Of
the Of religious opponents, which even followed
him TO the tomb he has rapidly arisen to his true place
IN the estimaton Of the British public. His sermons
are considered Landmark in the religious thought of
his country But their peculiar charm is to be found in
their illustration Of the character OF the author They
bring before us sincere, fresh earnest, Thoughtful
outspoken man. recognzingtI in every form of mani
festaon casting of the shackes of iron pre- u1ce anl
too deeply imbued with Of reality to fear the
phsntoms Of superstition conventionaty. As such,
they will be welcomed by the lovers of mental nteg-
ry and moral courage without references to their pre-
else theological stamp which it would not be essy to
define with nicely.
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