BODI PREFACE. "THE STUDENT'S BLACKSTONE," as hitherto published, contained those portions only of the Commentaries which relate to the British Constitution and the Rights of Persons. It comprised the first volume of Sir William Blackstone's great work, and a few passages from the third and fourth volumes, inserted in order that the compilation might be complete in itself. The present work is, as the title-page imports, an abridgment of the whole Commentaries of Blackstone, with such alterations as the legislative changes of the last century have made necessary. The reader ought, therefore, to find in the following pages an outline of the whole law of England, however concisely it may be stated. Of the success of the Editor in accomplishing his task, those for whose hands the book is intended will be best able to judge. TEMPLE, October, 1865. [POSTSCRIPT. POSTSCRIPT. Ar the request of several persons who use "The Student's Blackstone" for educational purposes, a chapter has been added, on "The Rise, Progress, and Gradual Improvements of the Laws of England." This chapter, which constitutes the First Supplement, page 613, is the concluding chapter of the original work, with a continuation explanatory of the additions and alterations of the law made during the last century. The Second Supplement, page 644, is a summary of the legislation of 1868. CONTENTS. SECTION I.-OF LAWS IN GENERAL. Definition of law-Law of nature-Law of nations-Municipal law- Regular forms of government-The British Constitution-Duty of the supreme power to make laws-The several parts of every law. SECTION II.-OF THE LAWS OF ENGLAND. Early laws traditional-Alfred's Dom-boc-Laws of Edward the Con- OF THE ABSOLUTE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS. The English liberties-Right of personal security-Right of personal liberty-Right of property-Securities for the enjoyment of these The crown hereditary-Title defeasible by act of parliament-Historical view of the succession-Revolution of 1688-The Act of Settlement 40 Sovereignty-Cannot be sued-Perfection, the king can do no wrong— Perpetuity, the king never dies-Prerogative to send and receive ambassadors-To make peace and war-As generalissimo-As the fountain of justice-And of honour-And as head of the church. Custody of temporalities of bishops-First-fruits and tenths-Wine licenses-Mines-Treasure trove-Estrays-For- feitures and Escheats-II. Extraordinary :-Land-tax-Malt-tax -Property and income-tax-Customs-Excise-Post-office-Stamp duties Succession Duties-Inhabited house duty-Assessed taxes- The sheriff-The coroner-Justices of the peace-The constable-The police force-The highway surveyor-Overseers and guardians of the |