A Century of Rngiish Judicature.
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Bovill was unsurpassed in his practical mastery of commercial law, but his work as a judge suffered from want of more careful reflection in reaching conclusions. The genius of this court, however, was Willes (1855-71), who was universally re-
gone, and with all the rules and forms of the ancient system of pleading. He knew by heart every old term and maxim. To this thorough knowledge of the principles and history of our own law in all its branches he added an extensive and accurate acquaint-
garded by his contemporaries as the most learned lawyer of his time. He is said to have systematically read all the reports, from the first of the Year Books to the last vol umes of Meeson and Welsby. He was con sequently familiar with the history of the law, and understood the relation which the principles of his day bore to past times. He was intimately acquainted with all the changes which the common law had under-
ance with foreign systems of jurisprudence. To the great fountain head of civil law he habitually resorted for suggestion and com parison and analysis. Withal his vast learn ing was his servant, not his master. And he could be as forcible with brevity as he was often exhaustive in learning. Although his opinions are generally full and completely reasoned, his determination of the bank ruptcy case of Marks r. Feldman, 5 Q. B.
