the English conftitution, must be allowed to be a pretty competent judge of the merits of a performance which profeffes to treat of the law relating to a part of its inftitutions. So far, therefore, as an advantage can arise from a supposed capacity of judging, the public will readily admit that I have chosen well, when I have chosen to dedicate my book to you : -But from that fituation in which those who direct the councils of the nation have, in their wisdom, thought proper that you and I should at present be placed (a), I am deprived of that advantage which would inevitably refult from the public fuppofing, that you had actually exercised your judgment on the work, and given me your permiffion to fend it into the world under the fanc tion of your name. I have not the opportunity of communicating to you my intention fo to do; but if by chance this circumftance fhould be conveyed to your knowledge, I am not without hopes that you will learn it without displeasure. (a) Both being, at this time, prifoners in the Tower of London, under warrants of commitment for high treafon. Two Two motives influence my conduct on this occafion; a defire to pay a public tribute of gratitude for the honour of your friendship; and an ambition to have my name hereafter mentioned in company with yours as a scholar, as it will most probably be as a citizen, engaged in the fame public cause. I HAVE the honour to be, with the highest affection and esteem, TOWER, August 20, 1794. DEAR SIR, Your moft obedient and devoted humble fervant, STEWART KYD. ADVERTISEMENT. THERE is no title in the laws of England more extensive, or more generally interesting, than that of Corporations. The prefent work is an attempt to reduce into a fyftematic form the law upon that fubject, which lies fcattered in so many volumes of reports. The introduction prepares the reader for the perufal of the body of the work, by giving a definition and defcription of a corporation, the diftribution of corporations into their different kinds, and the manner in which a corporation is compofed. THE first chapter treats of the authority by which a corporation is created; the fecond, of corporations confidered in their relation to the public; the third, of their internal conflitution; the fourth, of the manner in which they are visited; and the fifth, of the diffolution of a corporation, and its effects. THE prefent volume contains the first and second chapters, and a confiderable part of the third; the rest of the latter, and the two fucceeding chapters, will make two other volumes fimilar to the present. The whole of the work will be published before the end of next Trinity term. SHOULD the present work be favourably received, it is the author's intention to publish another volume on the conftitution and laws of the city of London. No. 4, HARE-COURT, TEMPLE, CON |