FROM THE EDITOR'S
PREFACE.

"The value of the book for educational purposes consists not so much in its positive results, as in the fact that it opens a vein of thought which the student may usefully follow out to any extent for himself, and that it affords an instructive example of a thoughtful, scientific, and in the best sense academical style of treating political questions.

'With regard to my own annotations, the object which I have chiefly kept in view has been to direct attention to such later writings as have expressly undertaken to fix the scientific meaning of the political terms here discussed, and above all, to Austin's Lectures on Jurisprudence," to which the present work may be considered as a kind of companion volume.'

THE UNDERGRADUATE'S JOURNAL.

"The definitions and remarks are clear and learned. This book must be of interest to almost everyone, from the reader of the TIMES who wishes to have a clear knowledge of the meaning of the leader, to the student of history or jurisprudence.'

THE GUARDIAN.

'As now published, it is well adapted for young students of politics who are in a tentative state of mind.'-August 1, 1877. THE WINDSOR GAZETTE.

'Sir Roland Wilson has done good service in bringing once more into notice this famous work of the late Sir George Cornewall Lewis......We cordially agree with him in his estimate of the use of the original work, while we may fairly add our high appreciation of the editor's careful and well-considered notes, together with his talented and suggestive Appendix on "Some other Political Terms liable to Ambiguity or Misuse." In this Appendix Sir Roland Wilson deals with such modern and contemporary phrases as "Liberal" and "Conservative," "Autonomy," ""Local Self-Government,' "Home Rule," and "Permissive Legislation." Sir Roland points out the unsatisfactory ambiguity of

these terms.......To commend the work of Sir George Lewis would be superfluous. His writings will always be noted for logical inquiry and solid reasoning rather than for originality of matter or brilliancy of style, but they constitute a most valuable introduction to active political life, being eminently calculated to induce a logical and dispassionate view of party arguments and party rhetoric......We have only in conclusion to remark that a famous work enforcing political logic and precision is most usefully revived at a time when the extended use of telegrams, the enormous increase in the number and influence of newspapers, and the innumerable other things attendant on the general hurry of existence have combined to place accuracy and quiet dispassionate reasoning at an unfortunate disadvantage. We may, however, give ourselves the pleasure of commending the careful and clever editorship of Sir Roland Wilson, as we can add, without derogating from the credit of Sir George Lewis, that Sir Roland's notes and comments much augment the value of the original work, while in connection with his Appendix they bring it into accord with the latest political discussions and the most accepted theories of the present day.'-June 9, 1877.

THE BOOKSELLER.

'In short, exact habits of thought and of corresponding expression are likely to be fostered by the study of such a work, which it is pre-eminently the aim of good training to effect. A few of the terms selected may be mentioned, by way of giving a general idea of the drift of the treatise. Thus, "Government" is a word of constant use, applied in various senses and synonymously with other words, such as Sovereignty." "Monarchy," "Royalty," and "King" are nearly equivalent terms, as are also "Commonwealth," "Republic,' and "Democracy. "Mixed Government,' People," Representation," "Rich and Poor," "Liberty and Tyranny," and other political phrases, are subjected to close analysis, and their exact meaning illustrated by many extraneous comparisons and quotations.

July 2, 1877.