Page:Marvin, Legal Bibliography, 1847.djvu/672

STA STARKIE, THOMAS. A Practical Treatise on the Law of Evi- dence and Digest of Proofs in Civil and Criminal Proceedings. 3d ed., with very considerable Alterations and Additions, and the Cases brought down to the end of the year 1841. 3 vols. 8vo. London. 1842. 7th American, from the 3d London ed,, with Notes and References to American Cases. By T. Metcalf and B. Gerhard. 3 vols. 8vo. Philadelphia. 1842. The appreciation of Mr. Slarkie's Treatise in this country, is best shown by the number of editions which have been required to supply the demand. It is, without any question, more comprehensive and minute than any similar work in the language, and well subserves all the purposes of reference for which such a production is designed. That the author has introduced some topics that do not strictly belong to a philosophical Treatise upon Evidence, is pretty generally conceded, but the convenience of having the whole law upon the subject in all its ramifications, embodied in one work, more than counterbalances this objection in a practical point of view. The defects and omissions in Mr. Starkie's Evidence, have been diligently collected and set forth in a late number of the Law Magazine, by no friendly critic, who may, pos- sibly, be interested in the ultimate success of a rival work, for he seems to have transcended, in part, tbe proper bounds of fair criticism, by alleg- ing inaccuracies and omissions which do not exist. The American editors of Starkie's Evidence, have performed their duties in a most thorough, accurate, and satisfactory manner, and few members of the Bar will be willing to dispense with the preferable 7th American edition. No depart- ment of the law in modern times has been more ably and thoroughly elucidated than Evidence, and each of the three rival works have their own peculiar merits. Mr. Starkie's is ample and elaborate, but occa- sionally discursive; Professor Greenleaf's is methodical, precise, and accurate, and unincumbered of every thing that does not legitimately belong to the subject; while Mr. Phillips' Treatise partakes of the cha- racter of both. All are works of merit, in general use, and highly esteemed. 27 L. M. 152; (28) 3C5; 1 Leg. Rep. 298; 25 L. O. 115; 27 A. J. 381, 4G9; 2 Leg. Exam. & L. C. 386 ; Anthon's Blk. 55 ; 1 Pa. L. J. 266 ; 6 Jurist, 74 ; Warren's L. S. 755 ; 1 Crompt. & J. 10 ; 4 Bing. 614; 2 Pa. Reports, 262. STATE TRIALS. A complete Collection of State Trials, and Proceedings for High Treason, and other Crimes and Misde- meanors, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time. 34 vols. 8vo. London. 1809-28. The design of compiling a comprehensive collection of State Trials, appears to Iiave originated with Mr. Salmon, who published his researches 660