An institute of the laws of England; or, The laws of England in their natural order, according to common use. Published for the direction of young beginners, or students in the law; and of others that desire to have a general knowledge in our common and statute laws. In four books. By Thomas Wood, L.L.D. Vol. II.

London: [London] In the Savoy: Printed by Eliz. Nutt and R. Gosling, (assigns of Edw. Sayer, Esq;) for Richard Sare near Gray's-Inn Gate in Holbourn. MDCCXX. [1720], 1720. 1st Edition . Leather. Good. Description: Volume 2 (of 2) only. 8vo (8 × 5 in): t-p., 537-1120, [80] p. (last leaf bookseller's ads). Contemporary calf. · Register: 8º: [pi]1 2N-4G^8 4H^4. · Condition: Edges of boards worn, spine dry and chipped, no label, back cracked; a few gatherings embrowned. · Comments: First edition. ESTC says that each volume is separately signed; however, in this issue the register seems to continue the former volume. Wood divided his Institute into four books: persons, things, crimes, and courts of justice. This volume contains the last two chapters of the second book, dealing with goods and chattels and how they may be acquired, and the books on crimes and courts of justice. The last of these fills more than half the volumes and includes discussion of the forms of action and the procedure of the courts, including trials. Wood's style is to heap together a mass of detail, which, although aided by a good organization (in contrast to Coke's method), is not made cohesive by any discussion of principle or literary merit (in contrast to Blackstone). · References: Johnson 207 (8 copies); Bridgman 367; Worrall 84; Marvin 743; S&M 1:38(88); Holdsworth, HEL 12:418-419; ESTC T112673.