By the kindness of Judge Thayer, of the Eighth Circuit, I have been permitted to make free use of his admirable monograph on the Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts; and I am also indebted to Frederic Dodge, Esq., and James J. Storrow, Jr., Esq., for valuable suggestions. The first edition of these lectures was edited by Judge Curtis's brother, Mr. G. T. Curtis, and by his son, who bore his name, who was also a judge, and whose early death cut off a life which was dear to his friends and of high value to the community. H. C. M. BOSTON, June 1, 1896. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. THESE Lectures were delivered by the late Judge Curtis to a class of students in the Harvard Law School, in the academic year 1872-73. They were wholly oral and extemporaneous, the lecturer making use of only a few brief notes, and relying chiefly upon his very strong memory, which never failed him in the statement of principles or the citation of authorities. A verbatim report was made of each Lecture by a short-hand writer, and from the manuscripts written out by him, and revised by Judge Curtis, the Lectures are now printed, without any change of the text. But as they were delivered before the Revised Statutes went into operation, it became necessary to refer to that revision in the notes, for the purpose of guiding the reader to the re-enactment or change of the various statutes cited in the text. Such references to the most recent decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States have also been added as seemed to be called for. The Lectures, being addressed to a body of students just beginning their inquiries into the Jurisdiction, Practice, and Jurisprudence of the Federal Courts, are, of course, somewhat elementary. But it is believed that they are so comprehensive and accurate that they will form a useful handbook for practitioners of any standing. If future editions shall be required, any changes in the law, as well as the relevant decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, from time to time, will be duly noted. An index of the cases cited, and a full index of the subjects treated, have been prepared. The latter, it is presumed, will greatly assist the reader in consulting the work on particular points. BOSTON, October, 1880. GEORGE TICKNOR CURTIS. |