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the presumption, nor unmindful of the risk, attendant on any alteration made by so inferior a hand, on a Work which is no less conspicuous for the purity and elegance of its style, than for the extent and importance of its subject. The language and arrangement of the original have consequently been retained, as much as was possibly consistent with the nature of the undertaking.

I cannot anticipate a favourable opinion from those who, having given to the several subjects of the Commentaries particular attention, may deem them to be here too superficially treated. The design of the Work is however institutional, and the wish to circumscribe it within a small compass has rendered retrenchment constantly necessary; yet I believe that, excepting such parts as are now become matter rather of curious research than useful reading, it will be found to contain the substance of every chapter of the original. The same desire of conciseness has occasioned the Notes to be chiefly confined to the numerous alterations in the law effected by the various Legislative enactments since Sir William Blackstone's time, by which, more than by the Judicial decisions within that period, his Commentaries have been affected.

The Work is doubtless not free from errors, but I trust that some allowance will be made for the extent and labour of the undertaking.

I have to acknowledge and to express the obligation I feel for the assistance which I have derived from the numerous Works quoted and referred to in the Notes.

Temple, July, 1840.

JOHN B. BAYLY.

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