studies of pure erudition and of indirect or remote advantage do not generally excite much interest. There, as here, what is especially desired in studying law is immediate utility-actual and daily practice. There is, it is true, something cosmopolite in a lawyer's nature, whether in France or England! but at the bottom it is little more than a sort of vague philanthropy, greedy of perfection in uniformity, and aspiring to depress all the countries of the world to some general formulas. Such a disposition is but little favourable to an attentive, faithful, and persevering research for what may be called the individuality of a nation whose manners and ideas transfer themselves to their laws and institutions. Thus such a class of study in both countries has never been but the choice of a few, but in our opinion, truly philosophical minds, since they thoroughly study the subject before deciding upon it. The Foreign Review, therefore, could not obtain more success than it really did obtain; namely, much esteem, some influence, but no money; and, for several years, M. Foelix, who supported. himself only by his oral and written consultations, had to support with his purse the publication to which he already gave a very considerable portion of his time. In 1840 MM. Duvergier and Valette associated themselves with M. Felix with the view of enlarging the scope of the Review, by adding a French part, of which they had the sole direction, M. Fœlix still retaining the foreign department. The new publication, now taking the name of Revue Etrangère et Française de Législation, de Jurisprudence, et d'Economie Politique, existed we have said above, until the end of 1850. It was during this long period of co-operation that his new fellow-labourers became thoroughly capable of appreciating the excellent qualities of M. Fœlix, his goodness, disinterestedness, and his attachment to his friends not less than his high capacity for and devotion to the cause of comparative jurisprudence and all other branches of law reform. Neither the cruel disease which for several years imprisoned his vigorous spirit in a paralysed body, nor the necessarily forced cessation of the Review, and the labours connected with it, could shake the friendship which united him with his former collaborateurs. M. Fœlix died May 26. 1853, with the same religious sentiments which he had always possessed and manifested during his life. He has left behind him to deplore his loss a daughter and wife who were devoted to him. His wife, especially, was unceasingly attentive to him day and night, during his prolonged suffering; writing to his dictation when well enough to resume his labours in part, and greatly assisting him by searching for and extracting the references he needed. M. Fœlix was corresponding member of the Royal Academies of Munich, Naples, and Turin, as well as of the Society for the Amendment of the Law. In 1838 the Faculty of Law at Fribourg in Brisgau sent him the diploma of Doctor of Law. In 1850 he received the decoration of the Legion of Honour, at the instance of M. de Parien, then Minister of Public Instruction, who had himself published in the review a most excellent article upon the Law of Possession. His character and life may be summed up in a few words. He loved the pursuit of knowledge for itself, and the welfare of his fellow-creatures better than his own. The world took him at his word, and condemned him to thankless labour, poverty, and disease. Let us trust that he has now the only reward that he sought, or that could suffice. * ART. III.-LAW PERIODICAL. A MATTER of some interest has been recently discussed with reference to our Review, but we do not know that we should have thought it necessary to bring it before our readers, especially as it has been decided satisfactorily, if it did not involve a point which we consider of great importthe means by which a periodical devoted to the consideration of questions connected with law reform can be established and carried on. The permanent existence of a ance work of this kind, as we think, is a great object to gain, and we hope to satisfy our readers that the Law Review is placed not only on the right footing, but on the only footing on which it can be usefully and properly conducted. It will not be necessary to show that some organ for the expression of opinion in connection with the amendment of the law is essential to its successful progress and operation. Free discussion on this branch of scientific investigation is surely as necessary at least as in any other, and means should be taken to secure it as indispensable to the right considera-tion and safe conduct of all matters connected with it. It will be found, therefore, that all sincere and active law reformers have been anxious to promote this object. Without going further back than the present century, we may remind our readers that Jeremy Bentham frequently expressed an opinion as to the benefits to be derived from a publication of *this nature. And at a later period that which was only projected by him was brought about by that school of law reformers who derived their chief inspiration from Bentham. The quarterly publication called the Jurist was established by them. Some account of this work is given by Mr. Hardy in his Life of Lord Langdale. "The idea," says Mr. Hardy, "of producing a work which should investigate and explain the true principle of legislation and the philosophy of the law, arose with Mr. Bickersteth and Mr. Joseph Parkes. The latter undertook to draw up the prospectus for the work, and afterwards to be the editor of it, until some competent person could be found, whose time was not so occupied as his own, and Mr. Bickersteth, whose engagements prevented him from assisting Mr. Parkes with his pen, contributed 500l. to set it going. The first number of the Quarterly Jurist appeared in March 1827, and Mr. Roscoe was appointed its editor. He continued to act as such until his engagements and failing health prevented him from attending to the work, and it was deemed advisable to discontinue the publication, and start a new one on an extended scale. Mr. Edwin Chadwick, whose writings on Penal Laws and on a Preventive Police had lately attracted much attention, was applied to by Mr. Bickersteth to conduct this proposed new series, and Notwithstanding the high auspices under which the Quarterly Jurist was projected and carried on, and the liberal support it received from Mr. Bickersteth, it failed, and its want of success will serve to show the difficulties attending an undertaking of this nature. The sale of a work of this kind must necessarily be limited. It belongs to a class of publications which can hardly be called either useful or entertaining. It can rarely be used as a tool by the daily craftsman nor can it be often taken up to pass a vacant hour. Its subject matter should relate to the most momentous earthly concerns; but unless these can be connected with present interests, feelings, or passions, they are not usually found to move any large number of mankind to pay for instruction as to them. The number of persons therefore willing to purchase a publication of this kind is small. It was not easy therefore to provide for the continued publication of a work of this nature. A topic having temporary interest might occasion the sale of some particular article earnest person may be found to contribute not only time but money; but these are not sufficient to carry on a periodical work of any kind, far less a legal periodical. All who have any experience of what this is, know that it is a labour "never ending, still beginning," constant and harrassing, requiring unwearied patience and a steady supply of funds. Those who simply read the result of such labours monthly or quarterly may suppose that nothing can be more easy than to produce at stated intervals the required number of sheets, that in fact, they "grow" of themselves; but no one who has not gone through it can know the toil, the worry, the vexation of spirit involved in the superintendence, providing for, and bringing out a periodical work. Here then was the diffi an culty admitting the use of such a publication, how could it be started and carried on? Other similar works had fallen through, how could a permanent character be given to a new one? Let us see how this has been so far effected. The Law Review was commenced in November 1844, shortly after the Law Amendment Society was founded, which was in the beginning of that year; and it is not surprising that the earnest spirits who had called such an Institution into existence should wish to have some separate organ for their opinions and doctrines. The promoters and most active members of the one were the editors and contributors of the other. We are revealing no secrets when we say this: the same spirit was breathed on both the Review and the Society. Hence arose the adoption of the one by the other. Here, it was said, is a publication which contains a written exposition of our views and wishes. It is important to secure its continued assistance and permanent co-operation. Let us assist it, and it will assist us. We shall secure a means of circulating our views and advancing our opinions, and we are able to do this without any increase in the subscription. "Yes," it was said by some members of the Council, "but is the Society to be bound by all that the Review contains?" "No," it was answered, "this is neither desirable nor neces sary. The Reports and Papers of the Society can be published in the Review, but it can also contain articles which are not to be considered as binding on the Society or any of its members, and it can be expressly stated on the wrapper to what extent the Society shall be held to be responsible." This arrangement then was proposed. Each member who had paid his subscription was to be presented with a copy of the Law Review, to be furnished to the Society at trade price, or about 15s. per annum, and this without any additional burden on the members; a fund was provided, which rose or fell according to the prosperity of the Society, for the necessary expenses of the Review. Thus was provided a means of carrying on a work for the diffusion and investi |