They contain not only a clear statement of the English law, with all the alterations that have taken place since the time of Blackstone, but a full account of the main principles of Equity, ( a topic on which the English Commentator is confessedly deficient; ) also, a review of the modifications engrafted on the English law by the different States of the Union-and on all important questions, an instructive parallel between the English, American, Modern Continental, and Civil Laws . " Mr . Manning also remarks of the Commentaries, that " They are fine examples of lucid and manly reasoning, and the style in which they are written is perspicuous and forcible.
32.
The reporter is belabored for inaccuracy, yet he tells us, in the preface to volume second, that he has been at the trouble and expense of comparing his notes with the Register, " and have, in those instances where I thought it was necessary, taken the state of the case from thence, and in some of the nicest material, have given the substance of the decree, " which examination is given by Mr . Sanders, the confessedly able editor of these Reports, who says : " The editor must take this opportunity, however, of observing, that he has frequently experienced his researches in the Register's Books anticipated by the previous labours of Mr . Atkyns.
33.
He affirms the freedom of the will, and asserts that "'What am I to do ?'is the perpetual question of our existence . " After analysing the various motives to action that he feels, he resolves them by embracing a " ruling idea, " viz . an historically emerging " solidarity of humanity, " although he acknowledges that " the species is still as a whole unawakened, still sunken in the delusion of the permanent separateness of the individual and of races and nations . " Wells, however, regards this solidarity of humanity as a biological " fact . " The direction of this human development is " to Power and Beauty, " but he takes a confessedly " mystical " attitude in regard to these terms, refusing to define, or even to distinguish them.
