Since the last Edition of this work appeared, nearly a quarter of a century has elapsed. During that interval a very large number of cases affecting the law of vendors and purchasers of real estate has been decided by the Courts, and to classify and embody in the text the principles of these decisions would alone have involved much labour. But besides this many Acts of Parliament, notably those of 1925, have been passed and have profoundly modified the structure of the English land law. As a result, much fresh matter has had to be incorporated in this Edition, while parts of the Seventh Edition, having lost their importance in whole or in part, have been omitted or curtailed. In addition, considerable parts of the text have been re-arranged or re-written; and in this connection attention is drawn to the sections which deal with the subject of searches for incumbrances and with the special provisions affecting vendors and purchasers of registered land. The aim of the Editors has been to make the work both clearer and more concise than before.

While the Editors must of course accept responsibility for the entire work, it is thought that the following facts may be of interest to the profession. The manuscript of the First Volume was prepared by the late Mr. E. P. Hewitt, K.c., of Lincoln's Inn, and Mr. D. Hughes Parry, of the Inner Temple, and to this manuscript few additions or alterations have been made. Mr. Hughes Parry was unable to take any part in the preparation of the Second Volume. Mr. Hewitt died when the manuscript of that volume was still incomplete, and the latter half of it is practically the sole work of his co-editor.

The Index and the Tables of Cases, Statutes, etc. were compiled by the Hon. D. Meston, of Lincoln's Inn, to whom the Editors' best thanks are due. I would also thank Mr. F. A. Milne and Mr. Evelyn Riviere, both of Lincoln's Inn, for many valuable suggestions; and I gratefully acknowledge the services of the printer's reader for valuable assistance in reading the proofs.

The Companies Act, 1929, which was passed while the book was in the press, is not yet in force; but references to its sections have been inserted in the notes. By means of the Addenda the cases cited have been brought down to the 1st October, 1929.

M. R. C. 0

Lincoln's Ink, October, 1929.