The object of this authorized American edition of Sir William Anson's well-known treatise is to give parallel references to selected American authorities where the American law corresponds with the English law as stated by the author, and to indicate clearly the points at which the American authorities either disagree wholly with the English law, or are strongly divided among themselves. No attempt at exhaustive citation of authorities has been made. The simplicity and conciseness of the author's treatment would be marred by a large citation of cases, and the book would be to that extent less useful to the student. If the editor's citations exceed in amount those of the author, it is only because the American law is the law of upwards of fifty jurisdictions, while the English law is the law of but one.<br><br>The abbreviation, "H. & W.," following the citation of cases, refers to "Huffcut and Woodruff's American Cases on Contract," a volume prepared especially to accompany Sir William Anson's text.<br><br>Statutory changes have generally been indicated by references to Stimson's American Statute Law, a work of great service to American students and practitioners.<br><br>It is hoped that this edition may serve to increase the usefulness of a book which is already the universally acknowledged model of what a student's book should be.