ABR
presenting the principles of the Spanish jurisprudence and the opinions of the publicists of the author's time upon the subject. Azuni, however, finds fault with that portion of his work devoted to Neutrality, because the author contents himself with giving only a commentary upon the Spanish law, without laying down and defining any clear and satisfactory principles. Bonnemant has ably translated Abreu, and contributed many valuable notes. Azuni, Droit Maritime, Tom. II., p. 38.
ABRIDGMENT (General) OF CASES IN EQUITY, argued and adjudged in the Court of Chancery, with several Cases never before published, alphabetically digested under proper titles. 2 vols, folio. Vol. I., 5th ed. 1793. Vol. II., 2d ed. 1769.
" Trust only to the books at large, for I hold him not discreet that will sectari rivulos, when he may petere fontes." These remarks are as true now as they were at the time when Lord Coke uttered them, so far as it regards the Abridgment of Reports and Statutes. The above mentioned volumes enjoy an unequal reputation. The first is the reputed work of Mr. Pooley, a lawyer of great eminence in his time, and the volume has commanded a tolerable share of judicial commendation. The second volume, (the compiler of which is not known,) has never been held in much esteem, and the cases are not to be relied upon, except so far as they are supported by principle and contemporary Reports. 1 Sch. & Lef. 269, n. ; 3 Ves. 285 ; 4 Ves. jr. 566 ; 5 D. & E. 61 ; 1 Ves. jr. 547; 2 Madd. 140; 2 Ball. & B. 28 ; 2 Jac. & Wal. 428 ; 2 Bro. C. C. 45; 5 Vin. Abr. 408. See also Wallace's Reporters, 75. 2d ed.
ABRIDGMENT OF THE BOOK OF ASSIZE. 12mo. London. 1555.
ABRIDGMENT OF LAWS IN FORCE AND USE in her Majesty's Plantations, viz: Virginia, Jamaica, Barbadoes, Mary-land, New England, New York, and Carolina. 8vo. London. 1704.
ABRIDGEMENT DES STATUTES (Vieux). folio.
This is thought to be the earliest printed law book, except Littleton's Tenures, with which several copies have been found bound together, and is supposed, by Mr. Tomlins, in his introduction to his account of the printed Records and Statutes, to have been printed before 1481. It has no title, any more than Littleton, nor any colophon ; and although it is drawn up in alphabetical order, has a table of four leaves. A copy of this very rare book is in the Inner Temple Library, and another in the University Library, Cambridge. Some further account of it may be seen in the Preface to Cay's Abridgment, in Dibden's edition of Ames, vol. 2, p. 6, and in Blackstone's Commentaries, vol. 1, p. 235, n. Clarke's Bib. Leg. Angl.48
