New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-11-10

REPORTS or CASES ARGUED AND DETERMINED ~
THE cogRT OF COMMON Ho RLEAs FOR N THE CITY
EREycKs, AND An IspEx. By T. DZLAPIELD SMITH Vol
For inward of two centuries there has existed in
this city popular tribunal bearing alternately the
titles of The Court of Burgomasters and Schepens,
1.-THE Mayors Court, and " The Court Of Common
Pleas" Some of the most accomplished of our jurists
have presided it, including, within comparative
" recent period such men John T. Irving brother
of the distinguished author Daniel z. Ingraham,
Charles Z. DAILY and Lewis Is. Woodruff. The origi-
nal jurisdiction Of the Common Pleas is nearly coordi-
nate with that of the Supreme Court WHILE in respect
of the Marine and Justices Courts il is the final Court
OF Appeal Yet, with the exception of small volume,
published by Edward Livingston in 1902, its decisions
have never been reported in collected form until the
present publication. Mr.. 4. Delafeld Smith, the editor
Of these Reports, is an able commercial lawyer long
identified with the profession in this city, and dstin
gished for his industry energy, and success. He has
performed bis arduous task a reporter wholly at
night Yet the selection Of cases for publication has
been made with care and Judgment; the abstracts OF
points determined and the statement facts are written
with remarkable accuracy, elearness and compression
and the Index has been widely commended for s full
ness and elaboration. In collecting and carefully re-
porting the decisions under Mechanics Lien Laws
rendered in this and other Courts, Mr. Smith has per-
formed signal service al persons engaged or inter-
erted in the erection repair Of buildings, whether
owners contractors, builders or laborers These vol
umes are filled with determinations upon commercial
law and commercial usages, which Court of Justice
in great maritime and business city will constantly be
called 10 adudge. They contain many cases Of pecul-
lar Importance the city OF New York such as those re-
lating to the laws regulating the Of wharves piers,
and slips and sdjudcaons upon City Charter and
Ordinances The notes Of the editor full, without
yerbiage, and exhibit thorough knowledge Of the
matter in hand. The late Nicholas Hill Is said 10 have
pronounced the first of this series, the best reported
volume with which he acquainted. The whole
work one of great usefnlness and has deservedly
added TO the high reputation which the learned editor
enjoys with his brethren of the bar and the public at
large The judicial history written by Mr.. Justice
Day and published By Mr.. Smith in the first volume,
has already been noticed in these columns. 1t exhibits
rare ability and research.
COLD POLL HAMMERED FROM POPULAR PROV
ERBS. BY TxorHr rIfcoxg. Rno. PIP. sSs Charles
SeribneE.
Combining the two-fold function Of poet and pop
ular morast the author Of this volume has attained
a widespread reputation, which, though grown up
with uncommon rapidity, appears to rest on a solid
foundation. With the susceptibility to external i'm
pressions, which eharaeerzes the poeticl tempera-
ment be possesses the habit of close reflection, and
no little skl in the analysis Of character as well as
Of events In the present work bis themes are taken
from common life, though the Illustrations are sug-
es;ed by Of the current proverbs that are fa-
miiar to the people. His remarks, for the most part,
betrsy ready sympathy with his kind, power Of
acute, II not profound observation, and sincere de-
sire iog social Improvement. Hs ryie u sometimes