The little work now offered to the public was originally compiled by Mr. Ritson about the same period as similar treatises, on The Office of Constable, and The Jurisdiction of the Court-Leet, published in his lifetime. The author's attachment to the subject, it is believed, induced him to defer the publication of the present digest, in the hope of increasing its value by ampler information or more diligent research; and this object appears to have been sufficiently pursued, during the latter years of the author's life, to answer his wishes, as the work was left by him in every respect ready for the press.

The editor feels it due to the memory of his much honored and lamented uncle to add, that the recent publications to which Mr. Ritson's name, from interested motives, has been, very unwarrantably, affixed, are not intitled to any credit.