Law

Lawyer and Member of Parliament (1802-74), Master of the Rolls, 1851-73. On scrap of paper roughly three and a half inches square. Grubby and stained. Reads '<...> In Chancery | F. 131 <...> | L. C. 13 Ap. 1839 | Will [last word deleted] see minutes of judgment back of pp. 3 & 4. Will give final judgment on Monday. next, 15 Ap./ | John Romilly. | 10/- | <...> In the Matter of the <...>'

Octavo. 16 pages. Disbound pamphlet from the Churchill Babington collection. Good, though first and last pages somewhat grubby.

Octavo. 84 pages. A disbound pamphlet from the Churchill Babington collection. Very good with light foxing to prelims. 'Amongst all the institutions which contribute to strengthen the bonds of society, by establishing and confirming that mutual trust and confidence among men which is necessary to its very existence, there is none which exercises a more considerable and beneficial influence than that of oaths, when applied to those purposes for which it was intended.' Scarce: only three copies on COPAC.

First Chief Justice of Nova Scotia (1710-76). Flyleaf detached from octavo volume and neatly mounted on piece of white card, itself mounted on larger piece of grey card. While the mounts are in good condition the leaf itself is poor, discoloured and stained. Reads in top left-hand corner 'Jonathn Belcher | August. 1754.' Also present are signatures of 'Hawkins | London' and 'Jn L. Lee | 1870'.

4 leaves. 8 unpaginated pages. 16mo. 9 centimeters by 12 centimeters. Dusty but very good indeed. Evan Gill 272 describes the first edition of 1923 and a subsequent edition of 1929, but makes no mention of an undated issue. Wood engravings by Gill: lawyer's wig on cover-title; bird in cage on verso of third leaf; angel before tombstone on verso of last leaf. 'WITABEL WATLO' engraving [by David Jones?] on recto of third leaf. Prob. Taylor & Sewell 117c

English lawyer (1802-74) and Master of the Rolls, 1851-73. The recipient (1817-80) was a noted chemist. Two pages, 16mo. Very good, but sumwhat dusty and grubby. Reads 'My dear Sir Benjamin | I am much oblig'd to you for your kind. [sic] I am not aware of the circumstance, or rather the rule you mention or I should not have committed thte 'indiscretion' of asking you to sign my sons recommendation'. Signed 'John Romilly'.

Lord Chancellor of England (1825-1921), author of the monumental 'Laws of England'. One page, 4to. In good condition though somewhat grubby. Folded twice, and with embossed House of Lords stamp and armorial stamp in red ink in top left-hand corner. Opening ('My dear Judge') and salutation ('faithfully yours | Halsbury') by Halsbury, the rest in secretarial hand. Reads 'I have to thank you for your letter of the 11th., and for the arrangements which have been made, at Mr. Justice Stirling's request, and of which I entirely approve'.

Journalist and author (see Dictionary of National Biography and Allibone). One page, 8vo, some soiling but text clear and complete, difficult hand, saying: "There has been no [perhaps word (underlined) meaning retraction?] in Punch [underlined]. I am prepared to sustain all I said to you upon oath, and to prove that the injury to me is serious. The enclosed, as you will see, is marked "Private & Confidential"; but it is a part of the "case", and I, therefore, submit it to you." It appears that St John feels he has been libelled in "Punch" and is seeking redress.

One page, 8vo. Giving licence to his tenant Richard Finlow of Liverpool to transfer the freehold of a property in Bootle to John Plumbe of Bootle, painter. The property is "on the marsh at Bootle [...] adjoining the new Road leading from Sand Hills to Bootle afsd. called Derby Road". Signed "Derby". Slight discolouration and with holes from pinning, but in good condition overall.

Statesman (DNB), at this time under-secretary. Secretarial hand, signatureof Maule. One page, folio, fold marks, good, saying "I have laid befroe the Marquess of Normanby your Letter of the 22nd instant, and its Enclosures, relative to the conviction of James Stayner as a Rogue and Vagabond; - and I am to inform you, that your explanation is quite satisfactory to Lord Normanby . . . ."

Scottish poet and legal writer (-c.1805). 3pp., 4to, some damage and staining partially obscuring text. He writes initially of being elected to the “Kelso folly”, not wishing to be re-elected. He moves on to a matter which will involve the court of session, explaining that “the patrons as well as all the parties interested are by a ...(?) barred from appearing to prosecute”. He then discusses the signing of the “definitive treaty” on which he and his correspondent disagree, leaving posterity to judge its usefulness.

Lawyer (1841-1931). One page, 8vo, good, anticipating exclusion from the House of Commons, but determined to serve his country nevertheless.

Editor of "Diplomata", antiquary (DNB). Sixteen lines on one page, small folio, some damage, but text complete and clear. Not signed.

Colonial secretary , Van Diemen's Land. 1.5pp., 8vo. He discusses the physical composition of a necklace. (Bicheno's works on Law and the Irish economy are listed on the reverse in a different hand.)

Barrister and author (1795-1862). One page, 12mo. "Dear Ellis, / Doe v.

Lord Chancellor of England (1751-1838). 2 pp, 12mo. An interesting sidelight into ecclesiastical preferment. "Sir / The Living in Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire is that, to which I propose to present you, if you are disposed to accept it. Its Value, I am informed, but a Chancellor's Information is seldom correct, is about 280l a year - / It will require much of Residence, as the Parish is populous, & contains very numerous Inhabitants. The Duty must, therefore, be considerable - After what my excellent deceased Friend, Dr Parsons, Bp.

English judge (1848-1913). One page, 12mo. He apologises for not answering sooner. The letter "has given me very great pleasure. I hope I shall prove of service in the higher Tribunals, as you so kindly seem to anticipate." Autograph postscript: "Excuse type. I have so many letters to answer." Traces of gummed paper from mounting on blank verso.

Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer (1769-1844), the most successful advocate of his day. One page, 12mo. "My dear Sir / If you will excuse so short a notice & happen to be disengaged on Wednesday next pray do me the favour to join a small party which I have hastily made up with Lord Lyndhurst at dinner here at seven oClock/ Your truly / Abinger / Wednesday 16th. at 7." Scarlett had succeeded Lyndhurst as Lord Chief Baron at the end of the previous year. Discoloured and with heavy traces of mount adhering to blank verso.

Lord Chancellor of England (1837-99). One page, 12mo. Marked "Confidential". "I send for your perusal a letter I have recd fm. Sir F. - you will of course treat it as quite confidential & destroy it when you have read it. It will at least serve to shew that I have done what I cd." Traces of gummed paper from mounting adhering to blank verso.