_Roman Law. By William A. Hunter, MA. (Maxwell and Sons.)—
So numerous are the books on this subject, that one might despair of ever finding any novelty in a new one. Mr. Hunter, however, has managed to obtain this, in the difference of his method of arrangement, and in placing before the student translations of the "Institutes "of Justinian and Gains, embodied in and forming an integral portion of the text. This is certainly a great improvement, and as there is uniformity in the method of arranging the details of the various groups, comparison is easily instituted. The result is that several new and interesting points are raised, and we believe this strictly logical method will be of great use, when extended to the laws of different countries, on the comparison of which the future progress of the scientific stray of law must depend. Book L treats of Rights in rem, that is, in respect of one's personalty and that of other human beings, and includes slavery, potestas, menus, and mancipium, and the question of ownership, on the relation between which and possession the author has broached a theory that throws a new light on the history of property. Book II. deals with Rights in personam, which embraces contracts, quasi-contracts, and status, a term limited by Mr. Hunter to mean duties imposed on persons without regard to their consent, as on parent or child, &c. Book III. is on legacy and inheritance, and Book IV. on civil procedure. An appen- dix is added on criminal law. The translations are very well done, and the technical law terms are retained, which are much better than some ill-adapted and inadequate English words.
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