CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION.

SECTION I.-OF LAWS IN GENERAL.

Definition of law-Law of nature-Law of nations-Municipal law—

Regular forms of government-The British Constitution-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-

fessor-Unwritten or common law-Civil and canon law-Writ-

ten or statute law

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THE LAWS OF ENGLAND.

BOOK THE FIRST.-THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS.

CHAPTER I.

OF THE ABSOLUTE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS.

English liberties-Personal security-Personal liberty-Property-

Origin of parliament-Manner of assembling-Constituent parts—
Its laws and customs-Its privileges-Laws and customs of the

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Lords of the Commons: Money bills-Qualifications of electors
and of members-Proceedings at elections-Method of making
laws-Adjournment-Prorogation-Dissolution

CHAPTER III.

OF THE SOVEREIGN AND HIS TITLE.

The crown hereditary-Title defeasible by act of parliament-Histori-

cal view of the succession-Revolution of 688-The Act of

Settlement

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.

The Queen Consort-Dowager-The Prince of Wales

CHAPTER V.

OF THE ROYAL COUNCILS.

Parliament-Peers-Privy Council-Judicial Committee.

CHAPTER VI.

OF THE SOVEREIGN'S DUTY.

To govern according to law; to execute judgment in mercy; and to

maintain the established religion

CHAPTER VII.

OF THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE.

Sovereignty-Perfection-Perpetuity-Prerogative as to ambassadors
-To make peace and war-As generalissimo-As the fountain
of justice-And of honour-As arbiter of commerce-As conser-
vator of his people-And as head of the church

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CHAPTER VIII.

OF THE ROYAL REVENUE.

1. Ordinary: Temporalities of bishops-First-fruits and tenths-

Woods and forests-Treasure trove-Estrays.-

-II. Extraordi-

nary: Land-tax-Customs-Excise-Post-office-Stamp duties-

Succession duties-Inhabited house duty-Property and income-

tax.

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CHAPTER IX.

OF SUBORDINATE MAGISTRATES.

Sheriff-Coroner-Justices of the peace-Constable-Police force-

Highway surveyor-Overseers and guardians of the poor-Local

Government Board

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CHAPTER X.

OF THE PEOPLE, WHETHER ALIENS, DENIZENS, OR NATIVES.

Allegiance-Aliens-Denizens-Naturalization

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CHAPTER XI.

OF THE CLERGY.

Archbishops and bishops-Dean and chapter-Archdeacons-Parsons

and vicars-Churchwardens-Parish clerks and sextons

CHAPTER XII,

OF THE CIVIL, MILITARY, AND MARITIME STATES.

I. Civil: Duke - Marquis - Earl

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Viscount - Baron Knight-

Esquire Gentleman-Yeoman.- -II. Military: Militia-Army

—Reserve.—III. Maritime: Navy—Articles of the Navy

CHAPTER XIII.

OF THE PEOPLE IN THEIR PRIVATE RELATIONS.

I. Master and servant-Wages.- -II. Husband and wife-Marriage.

-III. Parent and child-Legitimate children-Bastards.-

IV. Guardian and ward—Several kinds of guardians—Incidents

of infancy

CHAPTER XIV.

Aggregate or sole-Ecclesiastical or lay-Civil or eleemosynary-

How created-Their powers, privileges, and disabilities-How

visited and how dissolved

SECTION II.-MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS.

The Corporations Reform Act-The town-council-Its powers and

duties Stipendiary magistrates-Recorder-Local boards

SECTION III.-TRADING CORPORATIONS.

The joint-stock principle-Registered companies

BOOK THE SECOND.-OF THE RIGHTS OF THINGS.

CHAPTER I.

OF PROPERTY IN GENERAL.

Origin of property-Occupancy-Origin of rights of succession

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CHAPTER II.

OF REAL PROPERTY.

Lands, tenements, hereditaments:-Corporeal and incorporeal here-

ditaments-Advowsons-Tithes-Commons-Franchises

CHAPTER III.

OF THE FEUDAL SYSTEM.

Fealty-Ancient tenures-Aids-Relief-Primer seisin-Wardship—

Knighthood-Marriage-Fines for alienation-Scutages-Aboli-

tion of military tenures

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE MODERN ENGLISH TENURES.

Grand and petit serjeanty-Burgage-Gavelkind-Socage-Villenage

-Manors-Copy hold-Frankalmoign

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123

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CHAPTER V.

FREEHOLD ESTATES.

Tenancy in fee simple-Qualified fees-Conditional fees or entails-

Tenancy for life-Its incidents-Tenancy in tail after possibility

of issue extinct-Tenancy by the courtesy-Tenancy in dower-

Jointures.

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CHAPTER VI.

OF ESTATES LESS THAN FREEHOLD.

I. Estates for years-Emblements.- -II. Estates at will-Notice to

quit Copyholds-Enfranchisement.- -III. Estates at suffer-

ance