Transcriber's Note
Spelling and punctuation have been preserved as faithfully as possible. Only obvioustypographical errors have been corrected.
For ease of reading, the footnotes have been moved to the end of the book.
A DISCOURSE
ON
THE STUDY
OF THE
LAW OF NATURE AND NATIONS.
BY
SIR JAMES MACKINTOSH, M.P.
SECOND EDITION.
LONDON:
HENRY GOODE AND CO.
QUEEN'S HEAD PASSAGE, PATERNOSTER-ROW.
SOLD BY T. CLARK, EDINBURGH; AND WARDLAW AND CO. GLASGOW.
M.DCCC.XXVIII.
A DISCOURSE,
ETC.
Before I begin a course of lectures on a science of great extent andimportance, I think it my duty to lay before the public the reasonswhich have induced me to undertake such a labour, as well as a shortaccount of the nature and objects of the course which I propose todeliver. I have always been unwilling to waste in unprofitableinactivity that leisure which the first years of my profession usuallyallow, and which diligent men, even with moderate talents, might oftenemploy in a manner neither discreditable to themselves, nor whollyuseless to others. Desirous that my own leisure should not be consumedin sloth, I anxiously looked about for some way of filling it up, whichmight enable me, according to the measure of my humble abilities, to[Page 2]contribute somewhat to the stock of general usefulness. I had long beenconvinced that public lectures, which have been used in most ages andcountries to teach the elements of almost every part of learning, werethe most convenient mode in which these elements could be taught; thatthey were the best adapted for the important purposes of awakening theattention of the student, of abridging his labours, of guiding hisinquiries, of relieving the tediousness of private study, and ofimpressing on his recollection the principles of science. I saw noreason why the Law of England should be less adapted to this mode ofinstruction, or less likely to benefit by it, than any other part ofknowledge. A learned gentleman, however, had already occupied thatground, [1] and will, I doubt not, persevere in the useful labour whichhe has undertaken. On his province it was far from my wish to intrude.[Page 3]It appeared to me that a course of lectures on another science closelyconnected with all liberal professional studies, and which had long beenthe subject of my own reading and reflection, might not only prove amost useful introduction to the law of England, but might also become aninteresting part of general study, and an important branch of theeducation of those who were not destined for the profession of the law.I was confirmed in my opinion by the assent and approbation of men,whose names, if it were becoming to mention them on so slight anoccasion, would add authority to truth, and furnish some excuse even forerror. Encouraged by their approbation, I resolved without delay tocommence the undertaking, of which I shall now proceed to give someaccount; without interrupting the progress of my discourse byanticipating or answering the remarks of those who may, perhaps, sneerat me for a departure from the usual course