HISTORY AND EFFECTS

OF

THE LAWS OF MORTMAIN.

ON THE

HISTORY AND EFFECTS

OF THE

LAWS OF MORTMAIN,

AND THE LAWS AGAINST

Testamentary Dispositions for Pious Purposes :

COMPRISING AN ACCOUNT OF THE

DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT,

AND OF THE INQUIRIES OF

SELECT COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

AND THE MOST INTERESTING

CASES WHICH HAVE OCCURRED IN COURTS OF LAW.

WITH

AN APPENDIX,

CONTAINING THE

REPORTS OF THE SELECT COMMITTEES,

AND

Digests of the Evidence, etc. etc.

prancis

BY

FINLASON, ESQ.,

OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW;

AUTHOR OF ESSAY ON THE HISTORY AND PRINCIPLES OF PLEADING"; "THE CATHOLIC
HIERARCHY"; CHARITABLE TRUSTS".

C. DOLMAN, 61, NEW BOND STREET.

AND 22, PATERNOSTER ROW.

M.DCCC.LIII.

(1858

ΤΟ

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

THE EARL OF ARUNDEL AND SURREY.

MY LORD,

The proceedings of the Mortmain Committee of the House of Commons in 1851 (of which your Lordship was a member) induced me to investigate that branch of legislation; and I was engaged, with others, in the preparation of a report and resolutions submitted to that Committee, and a portion of which are embodied in their report.

These circumstances led me to undertake the work which I now have the honour of presenting to your Lordship. And in availing myself of the permission, so kindly and readily granted, to place your Lordship's name in the first page of this Essay, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of expressing my thanks for a favour, and a high distinction, which must accredit my book, not only to the Catholic world (who are