PREFACE.
I Have attempted, in the following pages, to collect the Titles of American, and most of the English, Irish, and Scotch Law Books, from the earliest period to 1847, together with such Continental Treatises as are generally referred to by the Bench and Bar of Great Britain and the United States. The labour was undertaken with the belief, that a work of this description was needed, and would be an acceptable offering to the legal Profession, in the United States, and to such Foreigners as are desirous of obtaining more ample information relative to the Bibliography of the Common Law, than has hitherto been collectively afforded. Whoever seeks in this volume for book rarities or editions characterized by some peculiarity which does not give them intrinsic value, will be disappointed. My object has been to notice only the best editions, to afford a practical, rather than a curious Manual, though, in this endeavour, I doubt not some editions of peculiar value have escaped my observation. With regard to the Law books of the United States, I trust, this volume will be found to contain a tolerably complete list. For this department of the work, in addition to the resources afforded by the ample Library of the Dane Law School, Gentlemen in various States have kindly rendered me material assistance, to whom I am under very great
