Introduction and Notes to Sir Henry Maine's Ancient Law (Classic Reprint)

Sir Henry Maine's ** Ancient Law " is now a
classical text. The object of this edition is to
reproduce it, accompanied by such help to right
understanding and profitable use as a younger
generation may reasonably require. More than
forty years have passed since the book was first
pubhshed in 1861. During those years, and to
a great extent under the influence of Maine's
own work, research into the early history of
laws and institutions has been more active,
systematic, and fruitful than it ever was before.
Many new facts have been disclosed ; our know-
ledge of others has been freed from error and
misconception ; as many, perhaps more, which
were formerly accessible, but neglected as being
insignificant or of merely local interest, have
found their due place and importance in a wider
field of knowledge. The materials thus acquired
enable us to confirm and supplement Maine's
work in many points. If they also show us that
it calls for amendment in some places, no one
who is at all acquainted with the progressive
character of legal and historical learning will
find in this any cause for disappointment.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.

Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the difficult to read text.