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VAL UZTARIZ, GERONIMO DE. Theorica, y Practica de Com- mercio, y de Marina, en diflerentes Discursos, que, con especifi- cas Providencias, se procuran adaptar a la Monarchia Espaiiola. 3ra impression, fol. Madrid. 1757. This work was translated into English, by John Kippax, 2 vols. 8vo., London, 1751, and into French, 4to., Paris, 1753. VALETTE, ELI. Deputy Commissary's Guide, on the Law and Practice of the Court for the Probate of Wills, and Administra- tion of the Estate of Deceased Persons. 8vo. Baltimore. VALIN, R. J. Traite des Prises, ou principes de la Jurisprudence Francais, concernant les prises qui se font sur mer. 2 vols. 8vo. La Rochelle. 1763. . Nouveau Commentaire sur TOrdonnance de la marine du mois d'aout. 1681. 2d ed. 2 torn. 4to. La Rochelle. 1766. The Ordonnance of the month of August, of Louis XIV., is one of the most remarkable pieces of Commercial Legislation extant. It em- braces the entire commercial law prevailing at that time in France, and such was the wisdom and equity of its regulations, that other nations have adopted and followed its provisions, until the Ordonnance is more or less incorporated with the law merchant of the world. After the lapse of more than a century, when France contemplated forming a Commercial Code, she could find nothing better as a basis for it than this Ordinance, which re-appeared in 1808, with such additions as the further developments of this branch of law required. "It is, indeed," says Mr. Reddie, "almost incredible, and affords a striking instance of the fragile nature of human glory, that the authors of so valuable a work, which was first given to the world at so late a period as 1681, and in comparatively so enlightened a country as France, should have been almost unknown when Valin wrote." " On conQoit," says Valin, " qu'il ne pouvait y avoir que des genies vastes et pro- fonds qui fussent en etait de former cet admirable corps de doctrine, si precis, si lumineux, si sage, si savant, et si exact dans sa distribution et dans ses decisions. M. Pardessus has rescued from oblivion the names of several persons employed in its formation, by whom it appears that not only the jurists of different parts of France, but even of the neio'hbourino' countries contributed their aid to its completion. There are several Commentaries upon the Ordonnance, the first of which appeared in 1711, by Marville, which, though of little value, went throuirh no less than six editions. Marville proved himself utterly incapable of the task he assumed, 704