CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY FROM THE TEUTONIC CONQUEST TO THE PRESENT TIME BY THOMAS PITT TASWELL-LANGMEAD B.C.L. OXON STANHOPE PRIZEMAN IN THE UNIVERSITY, 1866, VINERIAN SCHOLAR IN LAW AND HISTORY, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON EIGHTH EDITION BY COLEMAN PHILLIPSON M.A., LL.D., LITT.D. OF THE INNER TEMPLE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW LONDON SWEET & MAXWELL, LIMITED 3 CHANCERY LANE, W.C. 2 NOTE TO THE EIGHTH EDITION. In the preparation of the eighth edition of this work I have followed, for the most part, the example set by the preceding editor in regard to the treatment of the text and notes: on the one hand, I have preserved the original text in its integrity, with only such modifications as were necessary to bring it up to date; and, on the other hand, I have incorporated various lengthy notes in the text, and have, in consequence, been obliged in several cases to transfer them to different places in the work. The main editorial additions are indicated by square brackets. The largest consecutive addition has been made at the end of the book: a new chapter (xviii) having been set up of the final section of the old chapter (xvii), together with the present editor's added matter. Other changes may be briefly mentioned as follows: (1) Omission in the notes of a number of extracts from texts in Latin, as collections of historical documents are now much more readily accessible than they were when the work was originally written; (2) several transpositions of text; (3) a few grammatical changes, including glaring cases of the split infinitive (which annoy many readers); (4) certain verbal alterations of a different kind, e.g., Magna Carta (for Magna Charta), Scottish (for Scotch), etc.; (5) references to earlier editions of many published works are now made to the latest editions, and further references to recent literature are given; (6) the text has in many instances been divided into new paragraphs, in order that study and reference may be facilitated; (7) for the same reason, the page headings and marginal notes have been changed to a great extent; (8) the table of contents has been arranged on an entirely new plan, and the index has been completely reconstructed both in form and substance; (9) the employment of capitals has been minimised, since their frequent use not only makes the page look foreign and unpleasing to the eye, but sometimes interferes with the grasp of the meaning; (10) a clearer and less crowded type has been adopted, this being the main cause of the increase in the number of pages from 624 to 789 (exclusive of table of contents and index). Throughout the needs of the student as well as of the general reader have been borne in mind. One word in conclusion. Recent events have shown how necessary it is for the British citizen to possess a knowledge of the development of our Constitution. It is therefore devoutly to be wished that constitutional history may become an essential subject in the curriculum of our national, public school, and university education, and may be taken up more by the general reader. The more thoroughly we understand its underlying principles and foundations, and appreciate its growth as a living organism, the more clearly shall we see that it is a delicate entity which we must approach with respect, handle with care, and alter with hesitation. 4, HARCOURT BUILDINGS, COLEMAN PHILLIPSON. TEMPLE. June 27, 1919. |