: PREFACE THE publishers had contemplated originally a second edition of Hale on Bailments and Carriers rather than a new treatise on the subject. Before the work had progressed far, it seemed best to abandon this plan and issue a new book, in which free use might be made of all suitable material in Mr. Hale's text. Grateful acknowledgment is here made for the substantial aid thus received. Particularly valuable assistance has been derived from Mr. Hale's notes. General acknowledgment seems proper also to the many authors both ancient and modern whose works have been consulted. When specific use has been made of definite excerpts from other authors, proper credit has been duly given. In the present volume, however, both the analysis and treatment are new. To give an exposition of bailments and carriers in brief compass is a difficult task. Only the more essential aspects of each subject could be treated, and the practical importance of each topic has been duly considered in the apportionment of space. Clearness and accuracy have been sought both in the analysis and in the more detailed discussion. Unusual care has been bestowed upon the notes, especially in the citation of cases supporting each specific principle set forth in the text. No attempt has been made to make these citations exhaustive. The author's effort has been rather directed towards making them both ample and representative. Special emphasis has been placed upon cases in the standard series of selected decisions, and upon the decisions of those courts whose opinions seem to carry the greatest weight. The title of a case is printed in bold type if it is found in Dobie's Cases on Bailments and Carriers, which is a collection of illustrative cases especially prepared to accompany the present volume. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, October, 1914. (v)* ARMISTEAD M. DOBIE. |