The most superficial student of Roman history must be struck by the extraordinary degree in which the fortunes of the republic were affected by the presence of foreigners, under different names, on her soil.

Our authorities leave us no doubt that the trust lodged with the oligarchy was sometimes abused, but it certainly ought not to be regarded as a mere usurpation or engine of tyranny.

The epoch of Customary Law, and of its custody by a privileged order, is a very remarkable one.

When primitive law has once been embodied in a Code, there is an end to what may be called its spontaneous development.

The ancient codes were doubtless originally suggested by the discovery and diffusion of the art of writing.

The movement of the progressive societies has hitherto been a movement from Status to Contract.

The members of such a society consider that the transgression of a religious ordinance should be punished by civil penalties, and that the violation of a civil duty exposes the delinquent to divine correction.