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LIVINGSTON, EDWARD Expose D'Un Systeme de Legislation Criminelle pour L'Etat de la...Livingston, Edward [1764-1836]. Expose D'Un Systeme de Legislation Criminelle pour L'Etat de la Louisiane et Pour Les Etats-Unis D'Amerique. Precede d'une Preface Par. M. Charles Lucas, et d'une Notice Historique Par M. Mignet. Paris: Guillaumin, 1872. Two volumes. Octavo (8-1/2" x 5-1/2"). Contemporary three-quarter morocco over marbled boards, marbled endpapers, top edges gilt. Front boards skillfully reattached, extremities rubbed, small chip to head of spine of Volume One. Occasional light foxing, interior otherwise clean. A good set in an attractive binding. $200. * First and only French edition. Reflecting the reformist spirit of the early nineteenth century, Livingston aimed not only to punish crime, but to reform the criminal and prevent future criminal activity through social reform. According to Marke, the codes "embody the most comprehensive and enlightened system of criminal law that has been presented to the world" (451). While Livingston's code was never adopted, Bentham, Story, Marshall, Madison and Kent wrote him letters of approval. It also went on to exercise considerable influence in European. A reviewer said in 1836: "No one can fail to be impressed especially with the enlightened spirit of philanthropy, the single aim to benefit his fellow creatures, which breathes throughout these discussions; and to this may be added, that there is always an unaffected beauty and simplicity in the language, frequently rising, when the topic demands it, to a fervent eloquence, which will command the attention and interest of those who might be repelled by the gravity and want of imagination, with which such subjects are generally treated" (cited in Hicks, 179-180). Hicks, Men and Books Famous in the Law 159-189. Marvin, Legal Bibliography (1847) 471.
Offered for US$ 200.00 by: Lawbook Exchange - Book number: 1570