first edition xii, 125, [1], [2] pp. 4to (10-3/4 x 8-1/2 inches)
1828 · London
by Brougham, Henry, Esq., M.P, Lord
London: Henry Colburn, 1828. First edition. Large paper issue. xii, 125, [1], [2] pp. 4to (10-3/4 x 8-1/2 inches). Bound in full contemporary brown pebbled morocco, large single gilt fillet on upper and lower covers, spine gilt, a.e.g. Fine with contemporary annotations in ink and pencil. Bookplate of Leigh (Stoneleigh Abbey Library). First edition. Large paper issue. xii, 125, [1], [2] pp. 4to (10-3/4 x 8-1/2 inches). LARGE PAPER. A fine large paper copy of Brougham's speech to parliament on law reform, one of just 30 according to Goldsmith. The advertisement leaf states that Brougham co-operated on this particular issue and it includes his corrections.
"In February 1828, when he delivered a six-hour speech-the longest ever in the Commons-on law reform, in which he exposed flaws in virtually every area of law (omitting only chancery reform and the criminal law) and staked his claim to be parliament's prime champion of law reform. Brougham's speech struck the perfect note. He showed himself to be committed to a widescale reform of the legal system, while resisting Bentham's iconoclasm. In preparing the speech he had in fact received much guidance (and many manuscripts) from Bentham, who still considered Brougham as the man best placed, after the suicide of Romilly, to advance his projects for codification and the abolition of the common law" (ODNB).
The speech attracted wide publicity and was also published in Philadelphia in the same year. Goldsmith 25722; not in Kress: S. & M. ii, 45 (Inventory #: 303071)
"In February 1828, when he delivered a six-hour speech-the longest ever in the Commons-on law reform, in which he exposed flaws in virtually every area of law (omitting only chancery reform and the criminal law) and staked his claim to be parliament's prime champion of law reform. Brougham's speech struck the perfect note. He showed himself to be committed to a widescale reform of the legal system, while resisting Bentham's iconoclasm. In preparing the speech he had in fact received much guidance (and many manuscripts) from Bentham, who still considered Brougham as the man best placed, after the suicide of Romilly, to advance his projects for codification and the abolition of the common law" (ODNB).
The speech attracted wide publicity and was also published in Philadelphia in the same year. Goldsmith 25722; not in Kress: S. & M. ii, 45 (Inventory #: 303071)