present monstrous and absurd system. Evidently, in the Long Vacation, one common law master daily in attendance in chambers to hear the applications is not sufficient, and some alteration is absolutely necessary; and if the Lord Chancellor or the officials whose duty it is to look into the matter will not do it, why then we must agitate until we get the evil remedied. It is a shameful thing that all the courts are closed for nearly four months every year for holiday-making, and the judges and officials enjoying themselves at the public expense. I intend to send a copy of this communication to the Lord Chancellor, and if nothing is done, probably some M.P. may render some assistance on the re-assembling of Parliament in bringing the matter before the House of Commons. I hope to see many members of the Legal Profession discuss this subject through the medium of your all-powerful columns. J. HEDDERLY WHITE. Sept. 25. NOTES AND QUERIES. None are inserted unless the name and address of the writer are sent, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of bona fides. Queries. 40. SALE OF INTEREST UNDER WILL-CONCURRENCE OF MORTGAGEE.-A., entitled to a share in real and personal estate under a will, mortgages his interest therein to B. The trustees of the will, having no power of sale, cannot sell without the concurrence of A. To enable the trustees to realise, will the concurrence of the mortgagee be necessary? Cases? LEO. Answers. (Q. 35,)—SOLICITOR'S COSTS-ADMINISTRATION.-Referring to Mr. Nodder's reply in your issue of the 20th ult., I do not think the minute applies, because the business is provided for by the scale in case it had been completed. PHOPHETS. similarly amended. Rule 79 was amended by omitting the words, 'But this rule shall not save the appointed speaker from any liability to pay any fine in respect of his not being present to speak. During the session forty-three new members have been elected, and fifteen have resigned; and the names of five have been struck off the roll under the provisions of Rule 7, and two members have died. The total number of members now on the roll is 336. Your committee has held eight meetings for the purpose of transacting the business of your society. There has been no change in the committee during the session. The treasurer's accounts have been audited, Your comand show the financial position of your society to be satisfactory. mittee wish to particularly call the attention of members to the provisions of Rule 26, and would urge upon them the great importance (in the general interest of your society) of the secretaries having furnished to them a good and extended selection of subjects appropriate for discussion; by which means not only would your committee find their labours very materially lightened, but your society would be greatly benefited by the co-operation of a larger number of minds in the selection and framing of questions. In concluding this report your committee beg to again congratulate the Society upon the successful session which has just closed. THOMAS DOUGLAS, hon. treasurer; JOHN D. CRAWFORD, J. CORNELIUS WHEELER, joint hon. secs.; ERNEST J. C. SAVORY, reporter; W. M. WOODHOUSE, W. S. BUNTING, H. FODEN PATTINSON." LEGAL OBITUARY. This department is contributed by EDWARD WALFORD, MA., formerly Scholar of Balliol Coll., Oxford, Fellow of the Royal Historical Society of Great Britain; and as it is desired to make it as perfect a record as possible, the families and friends of deceased members of the Profession will oblige us by forwarding to the LAW TIMES Office any dates and materials required for a biographical notice. F. AYERST, Esq.-The late James Ayerst, Esq., solicitor, of 2, Great College-street, Westminster, who died at 26, Bessborough-gardens, Pimlico, on the 3rd Sept., in the seventy-seventh year of his age, was the eldest son of the late Mr. Francis Ayerst, of Brompton, in the county of Kent, by his marriage with Sarah Ann, daughter of James Smith, of Blackheath, Kent. He was born at Brompton, in the year 1814, and was educated at Rochester School. He was admitted a solicitor in 1835. His remains were interred at Brompton, Middlesex, on the 6th Sept. last. LAW STUDENTS' JOURNAL. ON Wednesday last, being the commencement of the medical session, Sir Frederick Pollock distributed the prizes and delivered an address to the students of St. Thomas's Hospital which has a general application to all students. In the course of his remarks he said that the average standard of a profession depends on all its members-not merely on the eminent members. Every member can and ought to do his part in maintaining it, and so far as he faithfully does this he will have a real share in every advance made in his time. To the public, after all, the competence of the average practitioner is of more importance than the brilliance of the eminent few. In medicine as in law-perhaps even more so-the great mass of useful work is and must be relatively obscure, done by those who do not aim at greatness, or, at any rate, have not yet achieved it, for those who have to take such advice as is at hand, and to trust mainly to the general warranty of competence given by the professional qualification, apart from any individual reputation. Professional education is of at least as much importance to the public as to the profession itself, yet there is no subject on which there is less general interest or knowledge. Medicine, however, is better off than law, for only a minority even of lawyers know or care anything about legal education. Law seems to have something to learn from medicine herein. Sir Frederick next spoke of the proper relation of general literary and scientific education to the special training of a profession. He declined to regard the elements of natural science (including physiology) as part of a special training at all, though the backwardness of our schools in this respect causes elementary science still to be regarded as a speciality. Broadly speaking, the more general culture a man can get before he begins to specialise the better he will specialise afterwards. Premature specialisation is a danger of our time, and has, perhaps, been encouraged by excessive specialising of studies and honours at the Universities themselves. We can no longer expect a physician to read Hippocrates in Greek, It is inevitable that Greek should become a speciality of literature and scholarship. One would be sorry to see Latin disappear from the requirements of liberal professions. Still, if it be found that it cannot be effectually acquired, better no Latin than a pretence of it. Every man who has abilities, means, and time to secure a general University training before taking up medicine (or any other special profession), should be strongly advised to do so. Students' Societies. On LAW STUDENTS' DEBATING SOCIETY.-SESSION 1890-91.-The opening meeting of this society for the session will be held at the Law Institution, Chancery-lane, on Tuesday, the 7th Oct. next, at 7 p.m. Subject, That this society strongly condems the recent political prosecutions in Ireland." Affirmative: Mr. Chas. Russell. Negative: Mr. J. D. Crawford. Gentlemen not members of the society are requested to attend. Barristers, solicitors, clerks admitted'as solicitors, articled clerks, and students of the Inns of Courts are eligible for membership. Entrance fee 58. Annual subscription 58. Members of country societies admitted without entrance fee. The rule relating to fines has been abolished. Gentlemen wishing further information or desirous to become members are requested to communicate with either of the hon. secs., J. D. Crawford, 3, King's Bench-walk, Temple, E.C., J. C. Wheeler, 4, Danes-inn, Strand, W.C. The following is the report of the committee for the fifty-fourth annual session:-"Gentlemen, We have the honour to lay before you our report of the proceedings of the society during the past session, which commenced on Oct. 8, 1889. During the session the society has held twenty-nine meetings, including the general meeting which is to be held to-night, May 18, 1890. At twelve of these legal or jurisprudential subjects have been discussed, and thirteen meetings have been devoted to general subjects. One meeting, viz., May 6, 1890, was adjourned before any discussion had taken place, in consequence of the scarcity of the attendance. On Oct. 8, 1889, Mr. Hyndman attended at the invitation of the committee, and took part in the debate, the subject of which was: That in the interests alike of capital and labour any interference between employers and employed is to be deplored." Nov. 26, 1889, Mr. Atherley-Jones, M.P., gave an address on the subject of the Future of the Liberal Party;' and on April 15 Mr. F. K. Munton gave a lecture on • The establishment of a specially-constituted tribunal for the decision of commercial cases, comparing the French system and the proposals at present before Parliament.' A discussion followed both of these addresses, and a unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the lecturers. The average length of the meetings was three hours six minutes, being a decrease of fourteen on the average of last session. The average attendance is twenty-seven, being a decrease of one on the average attendance of last session. The greatest number present on any debate was seventy-two, when Mr. Hyndman took part in the debate; and the smallest nine, being an increase of twelve on the highest and a decrease of one on the smallest of the respective numbers of last session. The average number of speakers has been nine, being the same as last session. Prior to the alteration in the rules relating to the imposition of fines, nine fines were imposed, of which four were on cause shown remitted. During the session the following alterations have been made in the rules: Rule 9 was amended by substituting 5s. as an entrance fee for 10s. This alteration came into operation from the beginning of the session. Rule 20, sub-sect. 8, was amended by omitting the words, four ordinary members to speak upon each subject.' and substituting therefore 'two ordinary members to speak upon each general subject, and four ordinary members to speak on each legal subject.' Rule 78 was amended by omitting the words from or in any discussion' to 'either side of the question,' and substituting therefor the members appointed to speak on the question shall support the side on which they are appointed to speak.' Rule 13 was repealed. Rule 7 was amended by omitting the word 'fine.' Rule 19 was THE GAZETTES. Professional Partnerships Dissolved. Gazette, Sept. 26. OLLARD, SIDNEY, and WILSON, ANTHONY GODFREY, solicitors, Wisbeach. April 6, 1889. Debts by A. G. Wilson. Bankrupts. THE BANKRUPTCY ACT 1883. RECEIVING ORDERS. Gazette, Sept. 26. To surrender at the High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. CHAPPLE, FREDERICK, Pall Mall, cigar merchant. Pet. Sept. 21. Order, Sept. 24. CLARE, CHARLES JAMES, late Watlington, carpenter. Ct. Chelmsford. Pet. Sept. 23. Order, COOPER, HARRY RICE, Sheffield, house furnisher. Ct. Sheffield. Pet. Sept. 23. Order, Sept. 23 FAWCETT, WILLIAM, Northampton, butcher. Ct. Northampton. Pet. Sept. 5. Order, Sept. 23. HASTINGS, HENRY LAWRENCE, Leeds, boxmaker. Ct. Leeds. Pet. Sept. 24. Order, Sept. 24. HAWGOOD, HENRY, Teddington, furniture dealer. Ct. Wandsworth. Pet. Sept. 20. Order, JARRETT, SAMUEL ABRAHAM, St. George, boot manufacturer. Ct. Bristol. Pet. Sept. 24, LAY, GEORGE HENRY, Bromley, builder. Ct. Croydon. Pet. Sept. 20. Order, Sept. 20. PHILLIPS, THOMAS, Burnley, greengrocer. Ct. Burnley. Pet. Sept. 22. Order, Sept. 22. PINCHEN, THOMAS WARD, Market Lavington, licensed victualler. Ct. Bath. Pet. Sept. 2. Order, Sept. 22 PERKINS, WHITFIELD, St. Endellion, doctor of medicine. Ct. Truro. Pet. Sept. 22. Order, Sept. 22. SUMMERS, JAMES, sen., Strood, market gardener. Ct. Rochester. Pet. Sept. 23. Order, Sept. 23. SHAW, JAMES VEITCH, Worthing, of no occupation. Ct. Brighton. Pet. Sept. 9. Order, Sept. 23. TATTERSFIELD, BENJAMIN, late Ravensthorpe, hay dealer. Ct. Dewsbury. Pet. Sept. 19, Order, Sept. 22. TAYLOR, RICHARD, Edmonton, timber merchant. Ct. Edmonton. Pet. Aug. 13. Order, Sept. 23, WHITEAR, THOMAS, Fincham, butcher. Ct. King's Lynn. Pet. Sept. 23. Order, Sept. 23. WILLIAMS, THOMAS FREDERICK, Prescot, watch material dealer. Ct. Liverpool. Pet. Sept. 24. Order, Sept. 24. Gazette, Sept. 30. To surrender at the High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. BARNETT, ARTHUR, Craven-st, Strand, manager to a private hotel-keeper. Pet. Sept. 25. Order, Sept. 26. JAMIESON, ROBERT, Great Tower-st, commission agent. Pet. Sept. 5. Order, Sept. 26. To surrender at their respective District Courts. HILL, CHARLES, Kempston, carter. Ct. Bedford. Pet. Sept. 25. Order, Sept. 25. HALL, JOSEPH, late Slough, licensed victualler. Ct. Windsor. Pet. Sept. 18. Order, Sept. 25. LANGSTAFFE, WILLIAM, Nun Monkton, wholesale watch factor. Ct. York. Pet. Sept. 25 Order, Sept. 25. LIDSTONE, GEORGE CHATER, Swansea, hatter. Ct. Swansea. Pet. Sept. 23. Order, Sept. 25. MACAULAY, WILLIAM, Cleator Moor, grocer. Ct. Whitehaven. Pet. Sept. 27. Order, Sept. 27 MORGAN, WILLIAM ROGER, Cardiff, ironmonger. Ct. Cardiff. Pet. Sept. 26. Order, Sept. 24 MITCHELL, JOHN, Carlisle, no occupation. Ct. Carlisle. Pet. Sept. 18. Order, Sept. 20, MATHERS, SAMUEL, Leeds, draper. Ot. Leeds. Pet. Sept. 28. Order, Sept. 26, MOODY, CHARLES, Romsey, gunmaker. Ct. Southampton. Pet. Sept. 26. Ordor, Sept. 26. TUBMAN, HESLOP, Whitehaven, grocer. Ct. Whitehaven. Pet. Sept. 27. Order, Sept. 27. WILKINS, THOMAS WILLIAM, Great Grimsby, late fishing-vessel owner. Order, Order, Sept. 27. Pet. Supt. . Order, The following amended notice is substituted for that published in the London Gazette of Sept. 12. LEY, GEORGE, Swansea, fruit merchant. Ct. Swansea. Pet. Sept. 9. Order, Sept. 9. RECEIVING ORDER RESCINDED. Gazette, Sept. 30. OLLIVER, WILLIAM SELBY GRATWICKE, Tamworth, out of business. Ct. Birmingham. Receiving order, June 4. Rescission, Sept. 22. Grounds of rescission, the whole of the debts being paid in full or satisfied. FIRST MEETINGS AND PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS. BOUND, WILLIAM HATCHARD, Commercial-rd East, fancy draper. Ct. High Court of Justice, in Ct. BOWEN, AGNES ELIZABETH, Darlaston, grocer. Ct. Walsall. Meeting. Oct. 16, at 11, at office of Rec. Walsall. Exam. Oct. 16, at noon, at the Court house, Walsall. Order sum. adm. Sept. 19. Cox, R. H., late Lowestoft and elsewhere, gentleman. Ct. High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. Meeting, Oct. 8, at 1, at 33, Carey-st, Lincoln's-inn. Exam. Nov. 5, at 11.30, at 34, Lincoln'sinn-flds. DOBSON, RICHARD, late Crewe, builders' merchant. Ct. Nantwich and Crewe. Meeting, Oct. 3, at 11, at the Royal hotel, Crewe. Exam. Oct. 15, at 11, at the Royal hotel, Crewe. ELLIOTT, WILLIAM, Nottingham, late butcher. Ct. Nottingham. Meeting, Oct. 4, at 11, at office of Off. Rec. Nottingham. Exam. Oct. 10, at 10, at the County Court-house, Nottingham. Order sum. adm. Sept. 22. ENGLAND, RICHARD HERBERT, Sheffield, table-knife hafter. Ct. Sheffield. Meeting, Oct. 7, at FLINT, ARTHUR, Portsea, bootmaker. Ct. Portsmouth. Meeting, Oct. 13, at 4.30. at office of Off. MILLARD, JOHN ALFRED, Sutton Coldfield, licensed victualler. Ct. Birmingham. Meeting, Oct. 10, at 11, at 25, Colmore-row, Birmingham. Exam. Oct. 21, at 2, at the County Court, Birmingham. Order sum. adm. Sept. 22. MORRIS, WILLIAM, Balsall Heath, late galvaniser. Ct. Birmingham. Meeting. Oct. 10, at noon, at 25, Colmore-rcw, Birmingham. Exam. Oct. 22, at 2, at the County Court, Birmingham. Order sum. adm. Sept. 22. MITCHELL, JOHN, Carlisle, no occupation. Ct. Carlisle. Meeting, Oct. 14, at noon, at 12, Lonsdale-st, Carlisle. Exam. Oct. 14, at 11, at the Court-house, Carlisle. Order sum. adm. Sept. 27. MILLER, HENRY JAMES, Pembroke, insurance agent. Ct. Pembroke Dock. Meeting, Oct. 16, at 230, at the Pier hotel, Pembroke Dock. Exam. Nov. 5, at 11.30, at the Temperance-ball, Pembroke Dock. Order sum, adm. Sept. 26. NICOL, JOHN, Manchester, chemical merchant. Ct. Manchester. Meeting. Oct. 7, at 2.30, at office of Off. Rec. Manchester. Exam. Oct. 8, at. 11, at the Court-house, Manchester. Order sum. adm. Sept. 18. PERKINS, WHITFIELD, St. Endellion, doctor of medicine. Ct. Truro. Meeting, Oct. 7, at noon, at office of Off. Rec. Truro. Exam. Oct. 16, at 11.30, at the Townhall, Truro. Order sum. adm. Sept. 21. PEARSON, CHARLES STEPHEN, Walmer, general dealer. Ct. Canterbury. Meeting, Oct. 10, at 10, at office of Off. Rec. Canterbury. Exam. Oct. 10, at 10.30, at the Guildhall, Canterbury. Order sum. adm. Sept. 25. PCOSLEY, WILLIAM CHARLEY, Clifton, builder. Ct. Bristol Meeting, Oct. 9, at 3, at office of Off. Rec. Bristol. Exam. Oct. 31, at noon, at the Guildhall, Bristol. PHILLIPS, THOMAS, Burnley, greengrocer. Ct. Burnley. Meeting, Oct. 16, at 1, at the Exchange hotel, Burnley. Exam. Oct. 16, at 11, at the Court-house, Burnley. Order sum. adm. Sept. 24. PINCHER, THOMAS WARD, Market Lavington, licensed victualler. Ct. Bath. Meeting, Oct. 9, at noon, at office of Off. Rec. Bristol. Exam. Oct. 16, at 11.30, at the Guildhall, Bath. SADLER, CHARLES, Merthyr Tydfil, china dealer. (t. Merthyr Tydfil. Meeting, Oct. 7, at 3, at office of Off. Rec. Merthyr Tydfil. Exam. Oct. 27, at 3, at the Court-house, Merthyr Tydfl. Order sum. adm. Sept. 22. STEVENS, JAMES WALTER, late St. Ives, grocer. Ct. Peterborough. Meeting, Oct. 10, at noon, at Bankruptcy.bldngs, Portugal-st, Lincoln's-inn. Exam. Oct. 13, at 12.30, at the Law Courta, Petesborough. Order sum. adm. Sept. 23. SHEPHERD, HENRY, Sencroft, innkeeper. Ct. Leeds. Meeting, Oct. 8, at noon, at office of Off. Rec. Leeds. Exam. Oct. 21, at 11, at the County Court-house, Leeds. Order sum, adm. Sept. 17. WALKER, JOHN, Keighley, ironmonger's assistant. Ct. Bradford. Meeting, Oct. 10, at 11, at office of Off. Rec. Bradford. Exam. Nov. 7, at 10, at the County Court, Bradford. Order sum. adm. Sept. 27. WILSON, THOMAS, Beverley, grocer. Ct. Kingston-upon-Hull. Meeting. Oct. 7, at 11, at office of Off. Rec. Hull. Exam. Oct. 13, at 2, at the Court-house, Hull. Order sum. adm. Sept. 20. NOTICE OF DAY APPOINTED FOR PROCEEDING WITH PUBLIO JACOBSON, SAMUEL (late trading as the Potteries Furnishing Company), Longton, late furniture dealer. Ct. Stoke-upon-Trent and Longton. Exam. Oct. 10, at 11.30, at the Townhall. Stokeupon-Trent. ADJUDICATIONS. Gazette, Sept. 26. COLLINS, JA, Liverpool, furniture dealer. Ct. Liverpool. Order, Sept. 22. Pet. Sept. 2 ELLIOTT, WILLIAM, Bulwell, late butcher. Ct. Nottingham. Order, Sept. 20. Pet. Sept. 20. FLINT, ARTHUR, Portsea, bootmaker. Ct. Portsmouth. Order, Sept. 22. Pet. Sept. 22 HALFORD, WILLIAM HENRY, Gloucester, boat builder. Ct. Gloucester. Order, Sept. 23. Pet. Sept. 15. HASTINGS, HENRY LAWRENCE, Leeds, boxmaker. Ct. Leeds. Order, Sept. 24. Pet. Sept. 24. JUDGE, MARY ANN (trading as Mary Ann Russell), Brompton-rd, ladies' tailor, widow. Ct. High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. Order, Sept. 23. Pet. Sept. 9. Ct. High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. KITCHENER, JAMES, Muriel-st, Islington, builder. Meeting, Oct. 8, Order, Sept. 22. Pet. July 4. LITTLEWOOD, GEORGE, Tottenham, nurseryman. Ct. Edmonton. Order, Sept. 24. Pet. Sept. 16. LLOYD, WILLIAM, Southampton, coal agent. Ct. Southampton. Order, Sept. 24. Pet. Aug. 29. MOORE, CHARLES ROBERT, Kingston-upon-Hull, solicitor. Ct. Kingston-upon-Hull. Order, Sept. 24. Pet. Sept. 24. at 11.30, at office of Off. Rec. Stockport. Exam. Oct. 16, at 11.30, at the Court-house, Stockport. Order, sum. adm. Sept. 23. Ct. Truro. Meeting, Oct. 4. at noon, at office HELLER, WILLIAM HENRY, jun., Fowey printer. of Off. Rec. Truro. Exam. Oct. 16, at 11.30, at the Townhall, Truro. Order sum. adm. Sept. 22. KELLY, TIMOTHY, West India Dock-rd, engineer. Ct. High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. Meeting. Oct. 8. at noon, at Bankruptcy-bldngs, Portugal-st, Lincoln's-inn. Exam. Oct. 23, at 12.30, at 34, Lincoln's-inn-flds. KENDALL, REUBEN, Leeds, cabinetmaker. KIRNER, RAPHAEL (trading as Winterhalder and Co.), Bishopsgate-st Without, watchmaker. Ct. High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. Meeting, Oct. 9, at noon, at Bankruptcy-bldngs, Portugal-st, Lincoln's-inn. Exam. Oct. 23, at 12.30, at 34, Lincoln's-inn flds. Order sum. adm. Sept. 11. Ct. Leeds. Meeting, Oc. 6. at 11, at office of Off. Rec. Leeds. Exam. Oct. 21, at 11, at the County Court-house, Leeds. Order sum. adm. Sept. 18. LITTLEWOOD, GEORGE, Tottenham, nurseryman. Ct. Edmonton. Meeting, Oct. 3, at 3, at 95, Temple-chmbrs. Temple-avenue. Exam. Oct. 6, at 11.30, at the Court-house, Edmonton. Order sum. adm. Sept. 23. LITTLE. SAMUEL, Newport, outfitter. Ct. Newport, Mon. Meeting, Oct. 3, at 2.30, at office of Off. Rec. Bristol. Exam. Oct. 23. at 11, at the Townhall, Newport. MILLER, WILLIAM HENRY. jun., New Brompton, printer. Ct. Rochester. Meeting, Oct. 6, at 11, at office of Off. Rec. Rochester. Exam. Oct. 6, at 2, at the Court-house, Rochester. Order sum, adm. Sept. 24. MASON, ALFRED EDWIN, Birmingham, builder. Ct. Birmingham. Meeting, Oct. 8, at 11, at 25, Colmore-row, Birmingham. Exam. Oct. 21, at 2, at the County Court, Birmingham. PEPPER, JOHN WARD. Market Rasen, general dealer. Ct. Lincoln. Meeting, Oct. 9, at noon, at office of Off. Rec. Lincoln. Exam. Oct. 9, at 3, at the Sessions-house, Lincoln. Order sum. adm. Sept. 17. SUMMERS, JAMES, sen., Strood, market gardener. Ct. Rochester. Meeting, Oct. 6, at noon, at office of Off. Rec. Rochester. Exam. Oct. 6, at 2, at the Court-house, Rochester. Order sum. adm. Sept. 24. TOPPLE, WILLIAM, St. Leonards-on-Sea, house decorator. Ct. Hastings. Meeting, Oct. 6, at 12.30, at office of Young and Son, Hastings. Exam. Oct. 6, at 1, at the Townhall, Hastinge. THORP, F. W., late Hulme, grocer. Ct. Manchester. Meeting, Oct. 6, at 2.30, at office of Off. Rec. Manchester. Exam. Oct. 8, at 11, at the Court-house, Manchester. Order sum. adm. Sept. 18. WARNER, WILLIAM HENRY, Birmingham, butcher. Ct. Birmingham. Meeting, Oct. 9, at 11, at 25, Colmore-row, Birmingham. Exam. Oct. 20, at 2, at the County Court, Birmingham. Order sum. adm. Fept. 22. WOODWARD, CHARLES JAMES, Burton-on-Trent, railway goods agent. Ct. Burton-on-Trent. Meeting, Oct. 3, at 3, at the Midland hotel, Burton-on-Trent. Exam. Oct. 22, at noon, at the Court-house, Burton-on-Trent. Order sum, adm. Sept. 16. Gazette, Sept. 30. BONNOR, THOMAS. Banner-st, St. Luke's, licensed victualler. Ct. High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. Meeting. Oct. 9, at noon, at 33. Carey-st, Lincoln's-inn. Exam. Nov. 5, at noon, at 34, Lincoln'-sinn-fids. Order sum. adm. Sept. 22. BROWN, JOHN SPRINGHALL, Charles-st, Hatton Garden, advertising-frame maker. Ct. High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. Meeting. Oct. 10, at noon, at Bankruptcy-bldnga, Portugalst, Lincoln's-inn. Exam. Nov. 5, at noon, at 34, Lincoln's-inn-fids. Ct. Northampton. Meeting, Oct. 8, at 3, at BUSBY, BENJAMIN GEORGE, Wolverton, butcher. the County Court-bldngs Northampton. Exam. Oct. 14, at noon, at the County-hall, Northampton. Order sum. adm. Sept. 19. CADWAGAN, PHILIP, Pontypridd, painter. Ct. Pontypridd. Meeting, Oct. 7, at noon, at office o Off. Rec. Merthyr Tydfil. Exam. Oct. 28, at 2, at the Court-house, Pontypridd. Order sum. adm. Sept. 26. COOPER, HARRY RICE, Sheffield, house furnisher. Ct. Sheffield. Meeting, Oct. 10, at 2.30, at office of off. Rec. Sheffield. Exam. Oct. 23, at 11.30, at the County Court-hall, Sheffield. Order sum. adm. Sept. 27. DANIELL, BENJAMIN ADAMS, Aberavon, physician. Ct. Nenti. Meeting. Oct. 13, at noon, at office of Off. Rec. Swansea. Exam. Oct. 28, at 11.30, at the Townhall, Neath. Order sum. adm. Sept. 22. EDWARDS, WILLIAM PANTON, Isledon-rd, Holloway, financial agent. Ct. High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. Meeting, Oct. 10, at 1, at 33, Carey-st, Lincoln's-inn. Exam. Oct. 23, at 11, at 34, Lincoln's-inn-fids. FRIGHT, EDWIN JOHN, late Margate, baker. Ct. Canterbury. Meeting, Oct. 10, at 9.30, at office of Off. Rec. Canterbury. Exam. Oct. 10, at 10.30, at the Guildhall, Canterbury. Order sum. adm. Sept. 25. GOODLIFFE, GEORGE ALFRED, Leeds, commercial traveller. Ct. Leeds. Meeting, Oct. 9, at 11, at office of Off. Rec. Leeds. Exam. Oct. 21, at 11, at the County Court-house, Leeds. Order sum. adm. Sept. 25. . GOODMAN, DANIEL, Wellingborough, boot manufacturer. Ct. Northampton. Meeting, Oct. 8, at 3.30, at the County Court-bldngs, Northampton. Exam. Oct. 14, at noon, at the County-hall, Northampton. Order sum. adm. Sept. 9. HURFORD, RICHARD CHARLES, Tiverton, grccer. Ct. Exeter. Meeting, Oct. 10, at 11, at the Castle, Exeter. Exam. Oct. 16, at 11, at the Castle, Exeter. Order sum. adm. Sept. 26. HERBERT, GEORGE THOMPSON, late Leeds, butter factor. Ct. Leeds. Meeting, Oct. 8, at 11. at office of Off. Rec. Leeds. Exam. Oct. 21, at 11, at the County Court-house, Leeds. Order sum. adm. Sept. 1. HUNTLEY, ROBERT ELLIOT, Wallsend, surgeon. Ct. Newcastle-on-Tyne. Meeting, Oct. 7, at 2.30, at office of Off. Rec. Newcastle-on-Tyne. Exam. Oct. 7, at 11.30, at the County Court, Newcastle.on-Tyne. HEPWORTH, JOSEPH, Sheffield, general dealer. Ct. Sheffield. Meeting, Oct. 10, at 3, at office of Off. Rec. Sheffield. Exam. Oct. 9, at 11.30, at the County Court-hall, Sheffield JACKSON, ROBERT GEORGE, Wigston Magna, farmer. Ct. Leicester. Meeting, Oct. 7, at 12.30, at office of Off. Rec. Leicester. Exam. Oct. 29, at 10, at the Castle, Leicester. Order sum. adm. Sept. 27. JARRETT, SAMUEL ABRAHAM, St. George, boot manufacturer. Ct. Bristol. Meeting, Oct. 9, at 12.30, at office of Off. Rec. Bristol. Exam. Oct. 10, at noon, at the Guildhall, Bristol. JUDGE. MARY ANN (trading as Mary Ann Russell), Brompton-rd, ladies' tailor, widow. High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. Meeting, Oct. 10, at noon, at 33, Carey-st, Lincoln'sinn. Exam. Oct. 23, at 11.30, at 34 Lincoln's-inn-fids. Ct. KELLAWAY. WILLIAM LEMON, White Lion-st, Pentonville, builder. Ct. High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. Meeting, Oct. 10. at 11, at Bankruptcy-bldngs, Portugal-st, Lincoln's-inn. Exam. Oct. 23. at 12.30, at 34, Lincoln's-inn-fids. LIDSTONE, GEORGE OHATER, Swansea, hatter. Ot. Swansea. Meeting, Oct. 8, at noon, at office of Off. Rec. Swansea. Exam. Oot. 30, at 11.30, at the Townhall, Swansea. Sept. 26. LANGSTAFFE, WILLIAM, Nun Monkton, wholesale watch factor. Ct. York. 11.80, at office of Off. Rec. York. Exam. Oct. 10, at 11, at the Guildhall, York, Order sum. adm, Meeting, Oct. 9, at MILLER, WILLIAM HENRY, jun., New Brompton, printer. Ct. Rochester. Order, Sept. 22 Pet. SUMMERS, JAMES, sen., Strood, market gardener. Ct. Rochester. Order, Sept. 23. Pet. Sept. 2 WILKINSON, HUGH, Bradford, wholesale draper. Ct. Bradford. Order, Sept. 22. Pet. Sept. 8. Gazette, Sept. 30. BARNETT, ARTHUR, Craven-st. Strand, manager to a private hotel-keeper. Ct. High Court of CARTER, CHARLES, Bedford, builder. Ct. Bedford. Order, Sept. 27. Pet. Sept. 2. EVERITT, FREDERICK HERBERT, Manningtree, coal merchant. Ct. Colchester. Order, Sept. 97. GARTON, WILLIAM HENRY, Nottingham, grocer. Ct. Nottingham. Order, Sept. 20. Pet. HILL, CHARLES, Kempston, carter. Ct. Bedford. Order, Sept. 27. Pet. Sept. 2. HARWOOD, WILLIAM, Cardiff, tram inspector. Ct. Cardiff. Order, Sept. 23. Pet. Sept. 23. JARRETT, SAMUEL ABRAHAM, St. George, boot manufacturer. Ct. Bristol. Order, Sept. 25. JACKSON, ROBERT GEORGE, Wigston Magna, farmer. Ct. Leicester. Order, Sept. 28. Pet. OAKSHOTT, EDWARD GEORGE, and MILLARD, JAMES HENRY, Reading, seedsmen. Ct. STICKINGS, J., late Harders-rd, Peckham. Ct. High Court of Justice, in Bankruptcy. Order, Sept. 26. Pet. Aug. 13. TUBMAN, HESLOP, Whitehaven, grocer. Ct. Whitehaven. Order, Sept. 27. Pet. Sept. 20. WALKER, JOHN, Keighley, ironmonger's assistant. Ct. Bradford. Order, Sept. 26. Pet. Sept. 20. WILKINS, THOMAS WILLIAM, Great Grimsby, late fishing-vessel owner. Ct. Great Grimsby. Order, Sept. 26. Pet. Sept. 26. BEETE-PARKYN.-On the 25th ult., at St. John's Church, Hampstead, Alexander Ferrier, fourth son of the late R. C. Beete, first Pulsne Judge of British Guiana, to Frances Margaret Parkyn, third daughter of the late Frank Parkyn, of Lerryn, Lostwithiel, Cornwall. EWBANK-PRESTON.-On the 25th ult., at the Castle-gate Chapel, Nottingham, Henry Ewbank, M.R.C.S.E., of Priory Lodge, Cheltenham, eldest son of the late Charles Burbey Ewbank, of St. Germains, Cornwall, to Mary Elizabeth, eldest daughter of the late Martin Inett Preston, Solicitor, of Nottingham. MELLERSH-MALLORY.-On the 11th ult., at St. Paul's Church, Fairfield, Conn., U.S.A., Wilfred Duke Mellersh, of Petersfield, Hants, Solicitor, fourth surviving son of Frederick Mellerah, of Godalming, Surrey, Banker, to Helena Cruger, younger daughter of the Rev. George S. Mallory, D.D., of New York City, and Fairfield, Conn., U.S A. NUTMAN-NICHOLLS.-On the 27th ult.. at St. George's, Hanover-square, Henry George, younger son of Robert Isaac Nutman, of Grove Park, Chiswick, to Florence Adele, eldest surviving daughter of William Henry Nicholls, of South Belgravia, and Lincoln's-inn fields. SKIPTON-GOODWIN.-On the 25th ult., at St. John's Church, Upper St. Leonards, Horace Pit Kennedy Skipton, District Superintendent Central Provinces, Police Department, India, and eldest son of Daniel Pitt Skipton, M.R.C.S. Eng., of St. Leonards-on-Sea, to Jessie, youngest daughter of the late W. H. Goodwin, Solicitor, of Hastings. DEATH. BENNETT.-On the 27th ult., at 9, Longford-terrace, Monkstown, after a long illness, Francis Valentine Bennett, of Thomastown House, J.P. and D.L. King's County. To Readers and Correspondents. All communications must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Anonymous communications are invariably rejected. All communications intended for the Editorial Department should, in order to prevent delay, be addressed to the "EDITOR OF THE LAW TIMES." Advertisements, orders for papers, &c., should be kept distinct, and addressed to the Publisher, Mr. HORACE Cox, 10, Wellington-street Strand, W.Ó. TO SUBSCRIBERS. The volumes of the LAW TIMES, and of the LAW TIMES RERORTS, are strongly and uniformly bound at the office, as completed, for 5s. 6d. for the Journal and 4s. 6d. for the Reports. Portfolios for preserving the current numbers of the LAW TIMES, price 5s. 6d. LAW TIMES REPORTS, price 8s. 6d. TO ADVERTISERS. SCALE OF CHARGES FOR ADVERTISEMENTS. 88. ed. Os. 6d. Four lines of thirty words, or less than thirty words, in body type Each additional line, or ten words, or less than ten words........ For three insertions a reduction of 10 per cent; for six insertions a reduction of 20 per cent. Advertisers whose reference is under initials to this office should remit 6d. additional to defray postage in transmitting replies to their Advertisements. Advertisements must reach the Office not later than five o'clock on Thursday afternoon, and must be accompanied by a remittance. Post-office Orders payable to Horace Cox. upon the mind. He apparently disapproved of the attack upon trial by jury-a system which has its defects, but would be of enormous value if the Bench should be at any time less upright and honest than it now is; he encourages the Government to appoint more judges, so that cheap and speedy justice may be administered; and he encourages no interference with the present divided state of the Legal Profession, and looks with serene satisfaction upon the improved status of the solicitor's branch. On the whole, Mr. CUNLIFFE is to be congratulated on the delivery of an able, temperate, and healthy address, adroitly avoiding the introduction of matter which might easily have excited much idle controversy. THE papers read after the President's address were varied and entertaining. Imprisonment for debt was the subject chosen by Mr. MUNTON; the opinion of the meeting was against its aboli. tion. We look upon it as a relic of a barbarous age. Mr. DODD, in a humorous paper, saw no reason for abolishing actions for breach of promise of marriage. The meeting agreed with him. Perhaps the most important contributions to the literature of the occasion were Mr. TAHOURDIN'S paper on Private Bill Legislation, and Mr. ROGERS' on the Reform of Civil Procedure. As to the former, the evils of our present system, and its great costliness, are familiar to everyone. As Mr. TAHOURDIN says, the matter is one that requires the gravest consideration. Mr. ROGERS is not satisfied with the secret legislation in the shape of rules_and orders which is carried on by the Rule Committee, and he proposes that Civil Procedure should be the subject of a code, with a codifier constantly at work. Our experience is that codes are by no means universally acceptable, and we think it would suffice if the Rule Committee were assisted by representatives of the Profession, and published its proceedings before any new rules are given the force of law. MR. PENNINGTON took a bold line in the discussion of Mr. ROGERS' paper. He thought that the cause of the scandalous delay in the administration of justice was due to the want of a sufficient number of judges and to the Treasury generally starving the department. Although Mr. MARTIN reminded the meeting of the relief afforded by Mr. FINLAY'S Bill, a resolution was adopted in the following terms: "That the Council be requested to communicate with the Treasury or other proper authority to make due provisions to expedite business by providing an adequate staff of judges and other officers of the court." CRIMINAL Law Reform was the subject of a paper read by Mr. SIMPSON, of Leicester, concluding with a resolution in favour of the Criminal Code Bill. The grand jury system was regarded by all the speakers as an effete institution-as Sir A. ROLLIT said, it has become worn out. The variation in sentences was universally acknowledged to be scandalous, whilst there was some difference of opinion as to the advisability of prisoners being allowed to give evidence in all cases. AN important fact was communicated to the provincial meeting 395 of the Incorporated Law Society by Mr. DODD, namely, that a barrister has never been known to be a defendant in an action for breach of promise of marriage, whilst only once has a solicitor occupied that unenviable position. THE Annual Provincial Meeting of the Incorporated Law Society has this year been held at Nottingham-a centre of active professional life, where Mr. WING presides over a flourishing society. The President of the chief society delivered his_address_on Tuesday to a thoroughly representative assembly. For the first time in our recollection this address widened out beyond the limits of professional questions, with the result that we have a lawyer's condemnation of the policy of the trade unions, in so far as it extends to violent interference with men willing to take the place of men on strike. Speakers at the Church Congress adopted much the same line, but neither Churchmen nor lawyers suggest any solution of the burning problems which now perplex the world of capital and labour. Further, Mr. CUNLIFFE referred to the tithe war, again without any suggestion as to the basis upon which the dispute should be settled. He trusts in the wisdom of Parliament. The wisdom of Parliament, however, is not easily available when it has to be got at through the obstruction of faction and the conflict of political parties. Practical and wise recommendations from the calm atmosphere of lawyers' deliberations would be of the greatest possible value. THE honorary appointment to the Recordership of Kingston. upon-Thames (it involves no duties and carries no salary) has been conferred upon Mr. BARDSWELL, a well-known member of the junior Chancery Bar. It is said there were numerous appli cants, both to the HOME SECRETARY, in whose gift the office was not, and to members of the corporation. It has long been customary with solicitors advising their clients in the preparation of wills, to suggest an immediate legacy of £500 to the widow to meet the expenses which come upon her immediately her husband dies. It is comparatively seldom that a practitioner meets with the will of a man of any substance without finding some such provision for the dead man's widow. Now, by an Act of this year (53 & 54 Vict. c. 29), such a provision has become statutory. By sect. 1 of the Intestates' Estates Act 1890 the real and personal estates of every man who dies after the 1st Sept. 1890 leaving a widow but no issue, are in all cases where the net value of such real and personal estates shall not exceed £500, to belong to his widow absolutely and exclusively, And by sect. 2, where the net value of the realty and personalty shall exceed £500, the widow of such intestate shall be entitled to £500 thereof absolutely and exclusively, and shall have a charge upon the whole of such real and personal estates for such £500, with interest thereon from the death of the intestate at 4 per cent. per annum until payment. Let us illustrate these rules by a concrete instance. A man dies intestate leaving a widow but no issue, and an estate worth £499. All goes to the widow, and nothing, as now, to the next of kin or heir-at-law. Again, a man dies intestate, leaving a widow but no issue, and an estate worth £501. The widow takes £500 and interest, and also 10s., while the next of kin takes the other 10s. if it remains. No one can question the justice of these rules. It is only wonderful that they have never been laid down until now. EXECUTORS have rather a heavy burden thrown upon them by sect. 24 of the Customs and Inland Revenue Act 1890 (53 Vict. c. 8). "Where any person," so it is laid down in that section, "shall die after the passing of this Act," i.e., after the 9th June 1890, "without having made a return of all his profits and gains chargeable to income tax an assessment in respect of the profits and gains which arose or accrued to him before his death may be made at any time within the year of assessment or within four months after the expiration thereof, upon his executors or administrators, and the amount thereof shall be a debt due from and payable out of his estate." It will be observed that it is discretionary with, and not obligatory on, the assessors to make the assessment, and that the executors are not made personally liable; but the long period during which the liability of the estate is kept open must necessarily delay the rendering of final accounts, and make the position of an executor more burdensome than it is already. 66 AMONGST the very numerous extensions of the Public Health Act 1875, which the amending Act of 1890 (53 & 54 Vict. c. 59) enables local authorities to make, if only they "adopt" the later Act, one of the most useful is that respecting public clocks, which is contained in sect. 46. The 166th section of the Act of 1875, which, though it may not be as well known and put in force as it ought to be, enables urban authorities to 'provide such clocks as they consider necessary," is extended so as to enable such authorities "to pay the reasonable cost of the repairing, maintaining, winding-up, and lighting any public clock within their district, although the same be not vested in them." Looking to the importance of a knowledge of the exact time for the purpose of recording a parliamentary or municipal vote, and to the requirements of Greenwich time being observed by the Statutes Definition of Time Act 1880 (43 & 44 Vict. c. 9), it may be expected that, if the Act of 1890 be "adopted," the adopting authority will make ample use of sect. 46 to which we have referred. THE statutes of 1890 comprise five Consolidation Acts, the Foreign Jurisdiction Act, the Lunacy Act, the Inland Revenue Regulation Act, the Partnership Act, and the Housing_of the Working Classes Act. We have already noticed the Foreign Jurisdiction Act. Of the Lunacy Act it is enough to say here that in its 342 sections and five schedules it contains the greater part but not the whole (for the Criminal Lunatics Act of 1884 and the Idiots Act 1886 are expressly "saved" by sect. 340) of the statute law of lunacy from 1845 to 1889 inclusive. The Inland Revenue Regulation Act, which consolidates certain enactments relating to the regulation of the Inland Revenue," is chiefly of importance to the Legal Profession for its reenactment of sect. 27 of 15 & 16 Vict. c. 61, s. 3, by which officers of the Inland Revenue, though not solicitors, may conduct legal proceedings before justices of the peace, and for its substitution by sect. 22 of a two years' limitation of time for the recovery of penalties for the three years fixed as to excise by 7 & 8 Geo. 4, c. 53, s. 57, and the twelve months fixed as to taxes by sect. 21, sub-sect. 4, of the Taxes Management Act 1880 (43 Vict. c. 19). The Partnership Act, which is more properly a codifying, or as it is modestly styled in the title, a declaratory, than a consolidating Act, is the most important of the five, and perhaps the most important of the whole series of the 1890 Acts. In fifty sections (the 46th of which however contains an almost inevitable "saving" for rules of law and equity not embodied in the other sections) this well-drawn statute enunciates practically the whole law of partnership, as laid down in some thousand cases. It cannot be too carefully studied. Lastly, the Housing of the Working Classes Act, which is of very great length, throws into one the many Labouring Classes Lodging Houses Acts, Labourers' Dwellings Acts, and Artisans' Dwellings Improvements Acts, which the great Lord SHAFTESBURY, Mr. TORRENS, and Lord CROSS had successively passed into law before the Government Housing of the Working Classes Act of 1885, which is also re-enacted. THE annual parliamentary return relating to joint-stock companies for the past year has recently been printed. It contains particulars of all companies formed since the 1st Jan. 1889 to the 31st Dec. of that year inclusive, and distinguishes whether the companies are limited or unlimited. It also states the number of shareholders in each of the companies at the date of the last return, and whether the companies are still in operation or being wound-up. The return further states the total number and the paid-up capital of all registered companies which are believed to be carrying on business at the present time. Turning to the summary annexed to the return, it appears that, from the 1st Jan. to the 31st Dec. 1889, no less that 2727 companies were registered, with a nominal capital of £241,277,468, of which £52,101,485 was paid up; and 61 without nominal capital, making together 2788 companies. A reference to the corresponding return issued in 1887 for the year 1886 is interesting, as it was in that year that the marked increase in the number of new companies first became noticeable. A difference of 409 companies over the number registered in the previous year was then recorded, testifying to a rapid development of enterprise which was considered to be indicative of a decided reaction and revival of commercial prosperity. It seems that in 1886 the number of companies registered was 1817 with a nominal capital of £145,850,702, of which £21,416,228 was paid up; and 74 without nominal capital, making together 1891 companies. Comparing that number with the 2788 registered three years later, namely, in 1889, the additional 897 companies, or nearly 50 per cent., show that the progress has been more than steadily maintained. Of the companies established in 1889 with nominal capital, the vast majority-i.e., 2519-were of course registered in London, comprising new limited and unlimited, and old limited and unlimited. The remaining 208 were registered in the Stannaries, or in Scotland or Ireland. The 61 companies without nominal capital are subdivided into those limited by guarantee (44 in all) and those called "mutual," only 2 of the entire number being registered out of London. The grand total of registered companies in existence at April 1890-the date at which the return was presented to Parliament-was 13,323 as against 11,968 at the same period last year-an increase of 1355 companies. The advance from 11,001 companies at April 1888 to 11,968 in the succeeding year was considerably less, being 967 only. At April 1886 the total number of registered companies was 9471. The paid-up capital is now represented by over 775 millions. At April 1889 it was 672 millions nearly; at April 1888, over 611 millions; whilst at April 1886 it was not quite 530 millions. The amount of capital invested in joint-stock companies may well be said to be advancing by leaps and bounds. Of the 13.323 existing companies, 11,584 were registered in London; 1102 in Edinburgh; 613 in Dublin; and 24 in the Stannaries. THE GRAND JURY SYSTEM. IN these days, when so much has been attempted, and something done, by way of improving the procedure of our civil courts, it seems strange that so little has been accomplished towards effecting reforms in the ancient system of criminal prosecutions. The Criminal Code, though once eagerly discussed, lies on the Parliamentary shelf, dusty and forgotten. The various Bills relating to the amendment of the law of evidence in criminal cases still fail to come to the front, and, in departments which no reforming hand has yet sought to touch, cumbersome, antiquated, and expensive formalities still hold their own. Some people go so far as to apply these adjectives to the venerable system of grand juries, and ask whether anyone can allege the existence of just cause and impediment against the entire abolition of the grand juror's functions? If the grand juror is merely interesting in the character of a legal fossil, the grand juror ought to go. If, on the contrary, he is a necessary good, or even an indispensable evil, he ought to remain. But, at any rate, let it be clearly understood why he remains, and how much it costs, directly or indirectly, to keep him. It must be allowed that the grand juror has a place in ancient history. By the assizes of Clarendon and Northampton (which carry us back to the twelfth century, and the reign of Henry II.), it was enacted that if any one was accused of certain specified crimes before the King's justicesby the oath of twelve knights of the hundred, or, if there were no knights, of "twelve free and lawful men," and by the oath of four men from each township of the hundred, the accused was to "go to the ordeal of water." Incidentally, it may be remarked that, if the unhappy wretch failed to come through the ordeal, he was to lose one foot. But the point is, that the twelve knights, or the twelve free and lawful men, were his accusers, and, if accused by them, he was to be held guilty, subject to the further outcome of a trial by ordeal. Formerly, therefore, the grand jury accused; nowadays they present; but it is sufficiently manifest that their functions, under one name or another, date from times when civilisation had no resources, for the simple reason that the legal system of the country was still brutal and barbaric. The sheriff no longer summons four men from each township in the hundred; but it is still his duty to require the attendance at every assize or gaol delivery of a sufficient number of gentlemen to form a grand jury "to inquire, present, do, and execute all those things which, on the part of the Queen," shall then and there be commanded of them. Of course each member of the jury should be duly qualified: (see the County Juries Act 1825.) Every juror, it may be added, is to be between the ages of twenty-one and sixty years. The qualification of special jurors-very often a man is entitled to be both "grand " and "special"is now regulated by the Juries Aot 1870. The special, says the latter Act, must be legally entitled to be called an esquire, or shall be a person of a higher degree, or shall have certain other qualifications. In practice a grand juror at the assizes is always an esquire or a person of higher degree. The clerk of assize invariably calls over a long and wearisome list, comprising the names of all the county magistrates. Of course the greater number of them are not present, but the process of calling out names and titles is continued-the judge, the lawyers, and the public waiting patiently the while-until a number exceeding twelve and not exceeding twenty-three have answered to their names; it being necessary that twelve may form a majority of the jurors. It would seem that the law did not so intend, but, as a fact, the grand jurors at assizes who have to consider charges against persons of all classes, themselves are drawn from one class only. Their duty nowa. days is to consider and determine whether there is a fair and reasonable ground for requiring the accused person to answer the charge that has been preferred against him. This would be a very useful and important function if there had been no previous inquiry into the circumstances of the case. But the "if" goes to the root of the matter; for, in ninety-nine cases out of every hundred, there has been a full preliminary investigation before a magistrate. In the police-court the witnesses for the prosecution are examined, cross-examined, and re-examined. The accused makes his defence personally or by counsel or solicitorunless he is advised to reserve it-and any material witnesses called on his behalf are bound over to attend and give evidence upon the trial. All this takes place in public, and, although now and again, the case ultimately results in an acquittal, it is scarcely ever possible to urge that an accused person has been committed for trial without prima facie proof of guilt, and a reasonable probability that, in the end, he will be convicted of the offence charged against him. With what possible show of logic or reason can it be urged that this preliminary examination, followed, if it be followed, by a committal of the accused, ought to be liable to the veto of a majority of the country gentlemen who are assembled in the privacy of the grand jury chamber? It is true that, according to some authorities, the grand jury may in cases of difficulty call in legal aid; but in practice it is rarely, if ever, done. Of course, they may appeal to the judge for guidance, and occasionally they do have recourse to his assistance. But the broad prevailing rule is, that they do what seems good in their own eyes. In the vast majority of cases, it may be admitted the grand juror does his duty; but, for the reasons already indicated, it would seem that the duty is superfluous. The grand jury do not even see the depositions which have been taken by the committing magistrate, but have to glean the facts afresh from the witnesses, of whom in most cases only a few are examined in the grand jury chamber. It is, however, the duty of the jury not to "throw out" a bill unless they have examined all the witnesses whose names are indorsed upon it; that is to say, the witnesses for the prosecution; for neither the accused nor his witnesses can be heard further until the case comes before the petit jury in open court. This at once shows the anomalous nature of the grand jury's duty in dealing with a criminal charge which has already been the subject of a magisterial investigation, and in which the accused has been committed for trial. The anomaly, moreover, is an expensive and inconvenient one. Take the case of an assize held for the trial of prisoners sent up from two or three counties. The witnesses in all these cases must be in attendance on the first day of the assizes in order that they may be available to give evidence before the grand jury, who begin business directly the judge has concluded his charge and the foreman has received from the officer of the court a big bundle of indictments all framed in highly technical and tautological language. The unhappy witnesses-young and old, rich and poor, one with another-are herded like so many sheep to the vicinity of the jury-room. In the usual way this apartment is underground, and anyone who looks down upon the jostled and perspiring throng is at once forcibly reminded of the horrors which occurred in the Black Hole of Calcutta. Now, if it were not necessary for all these unfortunate people to be brought together on the first day of the assize, it is obvious that there would be a vast saving in expense. Assume that the Calendar contains the names of fifty prisoners, allow the moderate number of six witnesses in each case, and we find assembled together an irritated and bewildered throng of three hundred persons; whereas, if nothing intervened between the committal of the accused and the actual trial of the prisoners, the various cases might be grouped, the witnesses attending in batches instead of in one large body. Moreover, in many instances the attendance of witnesses could be dispensed with altogether, because numbers of prisoners are committed for trial who do not even deny their guilt before the magistrate, and who are almost certain to plead guilty when arraigned for trial. As a matter of fact, this is what happens very frequently, and in the result it is shown that scores of witnesses have been needlessly brought from their homes and places of business at great loss and personal inconvenience to themselves, to say nothing of the heavy drag which their expenses entail upon the public purse. The judge has the original depositions before him; but if for any reason, notwithstanding the defendant's plea of guilty, he should require to hear anything from the witnesses in the case-e.g., from the medical man in a case of injury to the person-a sixpenny telegram could promptly secure his attendance. Here it may be observed that the existing system bears very heavily upon doctors in extensive practice, and indirectly on their patients also. Weary of waiting, and knowing that his practice is being neglected, the medical man is always pestering the prosecuting solicitor for information as to the time when a particular case is coming on; the solicitor questions the officers of the court, who tell him the matter rests with the judge. Occasionally the prosecuting counsel is induced to mention the case, with the object of getting his lordship to fix a day. Only too frequently the learned gentleman is snubbed for his pains; and, in the result, everyone concerned must wait his turn, or take his chance of censure and disallowance of expenses if not present at the precise moment when his evidence is wanted. Traditional observances die hard, and it is tolerably certain that vigorous protests would be raised against any modification of the existing arrangements in regard to criminal trials, but it is impossible to avoid the belief that alterations on some such lines as those suggested might be made with considerable practical gain to everybody concerned. What has been said of the waste of time and money involved in the working of the grand jury system at the assizes applies also to the procoedings at quarter sessions for the county, and again, though in a less degree, to what takes place at borough quarter sessions, with this further consideration, that the persons called upon to serve as grand jurors at sessions are in most instances tradesmen and men of business, whose time is more valuable to them than is that of an average country gentleman. But the same broad principle applies throughout, and the granting of relief and the expediting of business at the assizes would of course involve the extension of a similar improvement to the proceedings at quarter sessions of the peace. So far the grand jury has been treated as an intermediate tribunal, if tribunal it should be called. Theoretically, the grand juror still accuses or presents; in fact, he gives ear to the accusation of others, investigates the charge in a rough-and-ready fashion in the absence of the accused and his advocate, and, in effect, decides whether the matter shall be allowed to go any further. But it should be remembered that the prosecutor may, except in certain specified cases, go direct to the grand jury with a bill of indictment, omitting altogether the wholesome ordeal of a preliminary inquiry in the police-court. Nay more, he may, in the majority of criminal cases, even ignore the refusal of a magistrate to commit a man for trial, and, notwithstanding the dismissal of the charge, prefer a voluntary bill before the grand jury. This latter course is but rarely resorted to; but, it is submitted, such a procedure should be not only unusual but impossible in any case, unless with the special sanction of some high legal authority. THE HOUSING OF THE WORKING CLASSES ACT 1890 (53 & 54 Vict. c. 70). THIS Act is one of the most important Acts of the last session. It, to a certain extent, consolidates and amends the three classes of statutes which were popularly known as "Cross's" Acts, "Torrens " Acts, and the Labouring Classes Lodging Houses or Shaftesbury "Acts. A general idea of the scope of the new Act may be gained by a glance at the Seventh Schedule, which contains the repeals. It will be seen then that this Act repeals the Labouring Classes Lodging Houses Acts 1851, 1866, 1867 (14 & 15 Vict. c. 34; 29 & 30 Vict. c. 28; 30 & 31 Vict. c. 28); the Artisans and Labourers' Dwellings Acts of 1868, 1879 (31 & 32 Vict. c. 130; 42 & 43 Vict. c. 64), and the Explanatory Act (43 Vict. c. 8); the Artisans and Labourers' Dwellings Improvement Acts 1875, 1879 (38 & 39 Vict. c. 36; 42 & 43 Vict. c. 63); the Artisans' Dwellings Act 1882 (45 & 46 Vict. c. 54); nearly the whole of the Housing of the Working Classes Act 1885 (48 & 49 Vict. c. 72), besides two Scotch Acts and one Irish Act; and sect. 6 of the Public Works Loans Act 1879. So that some substantial consolidation of the Statute-book has been effected. The repealing section (sect. 102) contains some needful savings. The Act itself is divided into seven parts. Part I. (sects. 2-28) relates to unhealthy areas, and does not apply to rural sanitary districts, but only to London and urban sanitary districts (sects. 2, 3). For the purposes of this part of the Act, the "local authority means in London the county council. In urban sanitary districts the urban sanitary authority is the local authority for all the purposes of the Act (sect. 92, sched. 1). Where the local authority is satisfied, upon an official representation, of the unhealthy character of any area in their district, and that the evils cannot be remedied without an improvement scheme, "ard of the sufficiency of their resources," they "shall" make an improvement scheme (sect. 4). An "official representation" means one made by the authority's medical officer of health, but in London it may be made either by the vestry or county council's medical officer. A medical officer may make the representation mero motu, but he must inspect and report if a complaint is made by two magistrates for the district or twelve ratepayers (sect. 5). The im provement scheme may provide for approaches and include neighbouring lands; and "shall" provide dwellings for working classes displaced and proper sanitary arrangements, and the scheme may, if the local authorities and the owner of the first estate of freehold agree, be carried out by the latter on such terms as may be agreed upon (sect. 6). Before the scheme can be carried out, advertisements must be published and notices served (sect. 7); a petition presented by the local authority to the Local Government Board, or in the county or city of London to a Secretary of State; a local inquiry must be held; a provisional order must be obtained; and a confirming Act passed. Costs of opposing landowners may be allowed, which with costs of confirming authority shall be paid by the local authority as costs of scheme (sect. 8). So also costs of opposition before a parliamentary committee may be ordered to be paid by the local authority (sect. 9). Where the local authority refuse to make a scheme after receiving an official representation, they "shall" report to the confirming authority (i.e. the Local Government Board or Secretary of State), who "may" direct a local inquiry (sect. 10). Every scheme in the county or city of London "shall" provide for accommodation of as many persons of the working class as are displaced, and in the same area; but in some cases a dispensation or modification of this requirement is obtainable. Schemes outside London need only provide for displaced working classes if the Local Government Board so requires (sect. 11). After the Act confirming the improvement scheme has passed, it becomes the duty of the local authority to carry the scheme out. They may sell or let the land, subject to conditions as to building, &c., and may agree with trustees or other persons to carry out the scheme. In any grant for working-class dwellings they "shall" impose conditions as to accommodation, &c., and provide for proper sanitary arrangements. The local authority may not (without express approval of the confirming authority) |