Elements of Law Considered with Reference to Principles of General
Jurivrudence. By William Markby. (Oxford : Clarendon Press.)— Students who are beginning to acquaint themselves with law will find this little book in many respects a clear and serviceable guide. We think, however, that Mr. Markby would have done well to confine him- self to the substance of law, instead of devoting much of his work to an unnecessary terminology. By borrowing one of Mr. Austin's phrases, the use of the word " sanction " to mean something almost exactly opposite to its received sense, Mr. Markby introduces occasional con- fusion; for in one place he speaks of sanction as being a "liability to evil," or a punishment, while in another place he talks of the State lending its sanction to an act, that is to say, ratifying it. Sometimes, too, Mr. Markby's criticism is a little exaggerated, as, for instance, the remarks on the existing division of actions into two classes, those arising out of contract, and those based on wrongs independent of contract. But we ought not to dwell on such small details in considering the value of a work which is marked by much thought, and is generally sound in its conclusions.
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