RJ wishes WW would burn his last letter [RJ to WW, 16 Sept. 1852]: 'No good could possibly come from bothering the Bishop of London in Ireland'. Nothing can be done till Parliament next meets. RJ's 'knowledge as to the consular courts relates to their judicial functions as between individuals[,] their contentious jurisdiction the lawyers call it I believe[,] which forms a curious episode in the history of modern European Tribunals and throws light on the progress of manners which has interested one much. I have never been able to get a sight of the book Grotius refers to and have met with no national law in my reading connected with their functions'. Leone Levi has just published a book 'on the Commercial Law of the World with an a priori account of national codes etc. They are more numerous than I expected but I get nothing from it as to international rights and remedies but I have not done searching it'.
187: Enclosing letter from [T. C.?] Webster, Athenaeum Secretary,
12 The College, Doctors Commons - LL has received the Supplement to the Elements of Morality ['The Elements of Morality, including Polity', 1845, 3rd edn., 1854]: 'The views set forth on the mitigation of the laws of war are of the highest importance for the progress of moral science. Reforms should be made in the laws of war which will bring them up to date with the advancement of civilization. LL encloses the correspondence between Lord [Elrington], M. Fould (Minister of State of France) and LL for a proposed Congress in Paris on an International Code of Commercial Law. LL would like WW's opinion on this and any suggestions he has regarding topics which could be introduced for discussion.