The Elements of the Common Lawes of England
The Elements of the Common Lawes of England, Branched into a double Tract: The one Containing a Collection of some principall Rules and Maximes of the Common Law, with their Latitude and Extent. Explicated for the more facile Introduction of such as are studiously addicted to that noble profession. The other The Use of the Common Law, for preservation of our Persons, Goods and good Names. According to the Lawes and Customes of this Land.
By the late Sir Francis Bacon Knight, Lo: Verulam, and Viscount S. Alban.
Videre Utilitas.
London, Printed by the Assignes of J. More Esq. and are to be sold by Anne More, and Henry Hood, in Saint Dustans.
To Her Sacred Majestie.
I doe here most humbly present and dedicate to your Sacred Majesty a sheafe and cluster of fruit of the good and favourable season, which by the influence of your happy government we enjoy; for if it be true that silent leges inter arma, it is also as true, that your Majesty is in a double respect the life of our laws: Once, because without your authority they are but litera mortua; and againe, because you are the life of our peace, without which lawes are put to silence: and as the vitall spirits doe not onely maintaine and move the body, but also contend to perfect and renew it, so your Sacred Majesty, who is anima legis, doth not onely give unto your lawes force and vigour, but also hath been carefull of their amendment and reforming; wherein your Majesties proceeding may bee compared, as in that part of your goverment (for if your goverment bee considered in all its parts, it is incomparable) with the former doings of the most excellent Princes that ever have reigned, whose study althogether hath beene alwayes to adorne and honour times of peace, with the amendment of the policy of their lawes.
No comments:
Post a Comment