SMI SMITH, JOHN W. An Epitome of the Law of Patents, as altered by Statute, 5 & 6 Will. IV., c. 83 ; with an Appendix of Sta- tutes, Forms, &c. 12mo. London. 1836. . A Manual of Equity Jurisprudence, as adminis- tered in England ; founded on the Commentaries of Joseph Story, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, and comprising, in a small compass, a numerous Collection of Points constantly occurring in Chancery, and in the General Practice of a Solicitor. 12mo. London. 1845. . A Compendium of Mercantile Law. 3d ed., with considerable Additions. 8vo. London. 1843. See Law Library. This work has been received by the Profession with general favor. It is comprehensive, perspicuous, accurate, and methodically arranged, and is a highly valuable exposition of the law upon those subjects contem- plated by the afflhor. The last edition is much enlarged. 4 L. M. N. S. 179; 13L. 0.436; (16)448; 4 Leg. Exam. & L. C. 5 ; Warren's L. S. 763. . An Elementary View of the Proceedings in an Action at Law. 2d ed. 12mo. London. 1842. . A Selection of Leading Cases on various Branches of the Law; with Notes. 2d ed. 2 vols. Svo. London. 1841-42. with additional Notes and References to American Decisions. By J. I. Clark Hare and H. B. Wallace. 2 vols. Svo. Philadel- phia. 1844. See Law Library. There are three Reports which every lawyer ought to possess : Wil- liams' Saunders, MetcalTs Yelverton, and Smith's Leading Cases. They are edited upon a similar plan, but the latter is practically of more general value than either of the others, because all the Cases are noted founda- tions, or starting points of various important prevailing legal doctrines. Students at law, after mastering a certain number of elementary Trea- tises, from the days of the Year-Books to the present time, have been advised to pursue " an orderly reading of the Reports." In former times this could literally be done when the entire hibliotheca legum could be trundled in a wheelbarrow, but the gradual increase of Reports soon rendered such a task laborious, and gave rise to Abridgments, and Com- mon Place books, till at last, as has been observed, the advice was bad for multifariousness. The notes to the two works mentioned in connec- tion with Smith's, are great aids to the student in mastering decisions, and those depending upon them ; and Mr. Hoflfman, in his course of Legal Sliidy, also points out a considerable number of both English and 650
