The Editor, or perhaps he should rather call himself the Annotator, thinks it neceffary to obferve that the publication of the laft Edition was accompanied with circumstances which expofed him to a degree of cenfure, though on his part perfectly unmerited; for it will scarcely be imputed to him as blame that he fhould have affigned his Notes to the proprietors of the work in the fame unlimited manner in which Sir William Blackstone had conveyed the text. Thofe circumftances he neither forefaw, nor could prevent. He holds himself refponfible for the utility and accuracy of the notes in every edition to which his name is prefixed; but with regard to every other circumstance attending the publication he has no direction or control. Though the notes in this edition have been confiderably extended, yet there are many important fubjects which the author has either entirely omitted, or too concifely touched upon, the Editor is therefore preparing to publifh feparately fuch additions as thefe deficiencies in the Commentaries feem to require. The profeffional reader ought to be apprized that the Editor in the Notes has frequently referred to annotators and the authors of Law Treatifes in preference to original cafes, thofe learned writers in the places cited having generally collected all the original authorities which would be too numerous to be introduced into a note to the Commentaries. LINCOLN'S INN, January 20, 1800. |