A Short History of Solicitors. By Edmund V. B. Christian.
(Reeves and Turner.)—Mr. Christian is not unfriendly to the profession of which he writes. He thinks that the public has an unreasonable prejudice against them, and that the Legislature imposes undue restrictions, not to say disabilities, upon them. There is much force in what he urges ; probably if the system of proportionate charges now prevailing in the case of conveyancing were made universal, or as universal as circumstances permit, the grievances would disappear. Still it must be remembered that the Judges often animadvert on the way in which costs are created. Why not have a Royal Commission to inquire into the matter, and let the Chief Clerks in Chancery be examined ? They and the taring masters know probably more than any one else how the present system works. Mr. Christian tells us about the past as well as about the present, and has a wide subject to deal with. As ho says, the solicitor of to-day combines "the functions of several professions." Besides his proper work, he does much that was once done by the proctor, the scrivener, and the advocate.
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