28 SEPTEMBER 1889, Page 22

Principles of the Law of Negligence. By Thomas Beven. (Stevens

and Haynes.)—One may get an idea of the com- plexity of the subject, of the vast variety of details which it embraces, and, consequently of the enormous labour which the writer of this massive volume (it runs, with the index, to between twelve and thirteen hundred pages), if we bear in mind that more than two thousand cases are quoted. The liabilities of masters to servants, " bailments," relations arising or not arising out of contract, are among the many subjects which Mr. Beven treats. There is nothing which has developed so largely as the practical application of the law relating to this subject. Fifty years ago people were content to submit to things without number as un- accountable accidents for which they now demand redress.