In describing his new railway, the author points out his method of inserting piles, in order to obtain the greatest security and resistance, and gives a section of his pillar, and his manner of inserting it in the ground. He then describes his method of loading and unloading, of making branch-roads, passing places, crossing roads, rivers, ravines, &c.; and, finally, treating of the junction with canals and other rails

roads.

"The Frontispiece exhibits a portion of railway in use, similar to what is seen in a small model at Mr. Smart's, and the method of overs coming the several obstacles that most frequently occur. On the left is seen the jointed rail or gate used for crossing private roads, next a fordable stream, and then the line proceeds over slightly undulated ground till it meets with a river, the bridge over which is adapted particularly for this purpose. The next peculiarity is a turning rail, by which the waggons are transferred, two at one time, to a branch at right angles. The branch is seen constructed parallel to a public road, to which it constitutes a fence. The line then passes under the public road, and is ultimately seen skirting a hill side, without requir ing the usual necessary side-cutting."

We must allow, that there is great merit in Mr. Palmer's contrivance, to obviate many of the objections to railways, both as it respects the infringement on private property, as well as obstructions from snow in winter, and dust in summer; for it is evident, that a clear passage for the horse is all that is requisite. Should a more expeditious method of conveyance for mails or passengers be at any time adopted, we con sider the suspension railway to be the best adapted of any at present known, both for expedition and safety.

Since the application of steam, as a moving power, on railroads, first suggested the idea of propelling vessels by the same means, there has been an extension of steam navigation far beyond expectation; and the invention of the steam engine, under the judicious direction of human ingenuity, seems likely to confer benefits on society, probably never thought of by the inventor, nor contemplated even by the more modern improvers of the machinery attached to it. Not only have rivers and lakes been navigated by its means, but even the Atlantic Ocean has been crossed with safety. And it is hoped, that the recent attempt to reach the East Indies, will be successful, to the credit and advantage of the projectors.

Steam navigation affords a vast field for speculation, and in consideration of its extensive adoption, and the spirit of the times, the author of the pamphlet now before us, on this subject, thinks it is expedient that Government should provide a set of inspectors, to examine the state of the engines and

machinery of steam vessels, for the safety and security of the public. His object appears to be two-fold; first, to shew the necessity for inspection, and that it cannot restrain the legitimate progress of discovery; and, secondly, to shew how a code of instructions, for regulating the duty of the inspectors, may be formed. He then treats of the benefits that are attainable, through the means of steam vessels, and their progressive increase and improvement; and strongly recommends a different mode of studying the principles of naval architecture... In an appendix, the best proportion of speed for a vessel of a given tonnage to convey passengers, is stated, with some other formula of interest to practical men. following quotation will give some idea of the author's intention:

The

The plan propose for guarding against any serious accident, as much as possible, is to establish an authorized inspector, of known respectability and reputation, in his profession, at each station or port from whence steam vessels go, and to furnish him with a code of instructions to guide him in the performance of his duty; of which instructions, copies should be accessible, at a moderate charge, to the public. And it should be enacted, and be a law, that each master of a steam vessel should, previous to the departure of his vessel, give notice to the inspector, and allow him full liberty to inspect the vessel and its engines. Also, that the inspector should furnish the master of the vessel with a certificate of such inspection, bearing his signature, and the date of inspection, to be placed in a conspicuous part of the vessel, for the perusal and satisfaction of the passengers. This certificate to be granted only on condition of the vessel being in a fit state for her voyage, in regard to strength, protection from danger of fire, good condition of boilers aud machinery, and proper provision for escape, in case of danger; all of which are to be judged of by the rules given in the code of instructions. And that this duty may be performed in a proper manner, and without prejudice, I further propose, that a regular report of the state of all vessels examined, should be forwarded to the office of a principał superintendent or director in the metropolis, as a check upon the conduct of the reporting inspectors."

The Committee of the House of Commons say, in their report, that "they are decidedly of opinion, that the owners of steam vessels, who omit to provide a sufficient number of boats, to secure the safety of their passengers, in case of any sudden accident, are guilty of great neglect." Besides this precaution, in respect to boats, "there ought to be on board every steam boat, for the perusal of the passengers, a certifi cate of some experienced engineer, to testify the strength of the boilers, the sufficiency of the valves, the safety of the furnaces, and the general good condition of the vessel and machinery." And, in respect of the Holyhead packets, they hold the following language: "Your Committee particu

larly recommend, as indispensably necessary for economy as well as safety, according to the opinions of all the witnesses who were examined to this point, that a professional engineer should be employed, to reside constantly at Holyhead, to superintend the machinery, and inspect the engine-keepers. And also, that each vessel should be supplied with an extinguishing fire-engine, and with two large boats, in addition to the ordinary ship's boats."

It appears, then, that the attention of government has already been directed to the consideration of measures, necessary to be adopted for the security of the packets in their own immediate employment; and, therefore, it is to be hoped, that there would be no difficulty in extending the same protecting care to vessels built by private speculators, for their own emolument, where the lives of so many of his Majesty's subjects may be endangered. However, as the pamphlet under review, is addressed to Mr. Huskisson, whose enlightened mind is ever alive to the public good, we have no doubt that he will give the subject due consideration, and recommend to Government the adoption of such regulations as will quiet the fears of the timid, and increase public confidence in the security of steam conveyance, without prejudice to the inte rests, or infringement of the rights, of individuals, engaged in such undertakings. At all events, whatever may be the result, the public are indebted to Mr. Tredgold, for pointing out the necessity and propriety of some such certified inspection, as that recommended in his pamphlet.

A Treatise on the Law of Attornies, Solicitors, and Agents; with Notes and Disquisitions. By Robert Maugham. 8vo. pp. 502.-London: J. and W. T. Clark. 1825. THE laws of England are so multifarious and complicated, and oftentimes so abstruse, that to acquire a general, not to say thorough, knowledge of them, is the labour of a life. It is not obtained by those who pursue it professionally, without long and unwearied assiduity; and we may safely affirm, that, to all others, the acquisition is unattainable; it is inconsistent with attention to other avocations and pursuits. Neither would it be possible for a person, who could devote his whole time to the study, to become well versed in the subject, so vast is its extent, so numerous and perplexing its details, so great its inconsistencies and contradictions, so embarrassing its technicalities, so refined and subtle its distinctions, and so profound its doctrines, and principles. For, how ever great may be the diligence of the student, practice

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must be combined with study, or much that is read will not be understood at all, and still more will be misunderstood. ce, the great difficulty which has been always experienced, and the failures which have been exhibited, by those authors who have endeavoured to inform the minds of the people at large upon legal subjects. Even the immortal Blackstone,

though his name will ever be remembered with gratitude,

and mentioned with honour by posterity, has, with regard to many of the topics which he endeavoured to illustrate, failed in making them intelligible to any but the professional lawyer. ***For these reasons, it is in vain for those, who do not devote themselves to the study and practice of the law as a profession, to hope that they can acquire accurately any great share of legal knowledge. But would we, therefore, discourage the perusal of law-books by all except lawyers? Certainly not. They should, however, be read discreetly, and their doctrines applied with caution. Next to the acquisition of knowledge, the most valuable acquirement is a sense of our ignorance: if a traveller knows not what path to pursue, it is of the utmost importance, that he should be aware of his want of information, lest he proceed in a wrong direction. If he feel his deficiency, he will endeavour to supply it; but if not, there is little chance of his escaping error. The well-informed proceed with confidence, and are right; those who are uniuformed, and know they are so, will pause, and avoid being wrong; but those who are ignorant without knowing it, are almost sure to blunder, and will seldom be able to correct their mistakes, because the very occasion of their first misfortune, the conceit of knowledge which they had not,-will only plunge them deeper. The use, therefore, of law-books to the general reader is, to teach those plain and simple points which are easily comprehensible by all, and which all may safely reduce to practice, and to shew the necessity, on all other points, of abstaining from every step which has not received the previous sanction of a competent adviser.

That there should exist such an imperious necessity for such extreme caution in such a matter, is much to be lamented. It is a great and deplorable evil. It is a curse which afflicts society in this country to a grievous and a disgraceful extent. It is the opprobrium capitale of legislation. For, whatever the laws may be themselves, whether wise or unwise, they should be accessible and intelligible to the great body of the people. What can be a greater absurdity, than that those laws which are the rules of action for all, and to which every one must square his conduct, should be of such a nature, that no one can know before-hand, what duties he must perform, what rights respect, or what privileges claim?-that no one

should know his obligations, till he is taught them by penalties for their neglect ?—or that all should remain ignorant of the course they ought to pursue, till they have been admonished of their mistakes by the mischiefs of aberration? Yet, in numberless respects, and to a great extent, such is undoubtedly the case. Nevertheless, ignorantia juris, quod quisque tenetur scire, neminem excusat, is a maxim of the same code, (chaos we should rather call it,) to be ignorant of which is, for the most part, unavoidable. The principle of ex post facto laws is justly and universally condemned; but are not those laws ex post facto, in effect, of which, in a great degree, the knowledge is unattainable, and which are made known only, after they are broken, by the calamitous consequences of their violation?

On the present occasion, however, it is less our business to lament such evils, than to bring them to the recollection of our readers, (almost a supererogatory task,) to hint at some of their consequences, and to suggest some practical means for their partial correction, consistently with the existing state of things. To investigate the course to be pursued for removing them completely and effectually, so far as that may be possible, would be to enter into the details of a new system of laws,4a work of Herculean labour, requiring the combined talents of the wisest legislators. Unless, therefore, commenced by such, the attempt would be productive of little practical utility. But something may be done to decrease, at least, what cannot be destroyed. Where we cannot entirely obviate an evil, we may often partially avoid it.

The complication, confusion, obscurity, and difficulty, by which English law is distinguished, if they have not given rise to the legal profession, which under any system appears indispensable, they have, at all events, contributed greatly to increase its extent and influence. If the laws were simpler, there could not possibly be occasion for the same number of lawyers, as when they are, in the highest degree, complex and abstruse; because there would be less litigation, and, therefore, less occasion for their services. Neither would their authority be so great, when it was possible for the client to approximate, if not equal, in the extent of his legal knowledge, the counsellor he might consult.

But now, if a man has occasion for legal advice, he, himself totally ignorant, goes to a lawyer, who is expected or supposed to know every thing; but who, by no means unfrequently, before referring to his books, knows as little as the client. The case is stated, the lawyer looks wise, shakes his head, conceals his ignorance under the cloke of doubt, which the law has made more ample than a judge's robe, and at length pronounces his oracular response, sometimes as dubious as the