Barron, John A.

A NEW LAW BOOK.

Mr. John A. Barron, formerly a resident of Fenelon Falls, but now a member of the legal firm of Hudspeth, Barron & Jackson, Lindsay, has enrolled his name on the list of Canadian authors by the publication of a work on "Bills of Sale and Chattel Mortgages," which we notice is offered for sale (price $4, bound in half-calf) by Carswell & &o., law book publishers, Toronto. We have not seen Mr. Barron's work, and consequently cannot express an opinion as to its merits, but we are pleased to observe that the Globe gives it the following favourable notice:

"The volume will prove a very valuable acquisition to the library of Canadian law books. It was the fashion for some years to decry chattel mortgages as a security, but the tendency of late has been to uphold them, and most of the former prejudice against them seems to have disappeared. The repeal of the Insolvent Act has had the effect of enhancing the value of chattel mortgages, as is evidenced by the enormous number of those instruments now given to wholesale merchants, brewers, manufactures. and other dealers, to secure advances of goods. The law relating to this species of security is now pretty well settled by judicial decisions, and the appearance of Mr. Barron's work at the present time may be regarded as very opportune. The author has divided the book into three parts. The first, or introductory part, traces the history and distinctive features of mortgages in general. It treats of the parties to chattel mortgages and bills of sale ; chattels within the statutes relating thereto ; the consideration ; the right of priority as between mortgages, bargainees, and execution creditors ; the effects of the insolvency laws ; and the rights and liabilities of creditors, subsequent purchasers, mortgages, mortgagors, and securities. The second part embodies a most complete annotation of the English and American decisions applicable to the Statutes of Ontario relating to the subject of the work, and arranges them in a digested form after the manner of Harrison's Common Law Procedure Act. Under each section of the Act is given a summary of the law as compiled from the authorities bearing upon the subject. The third part contains a full and carefully prepared set of forms of assignments, bills of sale, chattel mortgages, releases and discharges, amply sufficient for all the purposes of the conveyancer. The author has evidently bestowed much industry care and ability upon the composition of the work. His style is clear and concise, and he is plainly of opinion that a law book should be written in good English."