Note 196 — Chapter V

In going through the Vestry Minute-Books, for the purposes of this Work, I found an opinion of Sir Frederick Pollock’s entered in November 1841 (at which time the builders and owners of houses were attempting to relieve themselves of the charge of all Empty Rates) to the effect that these words, “it shall and may be lawful,” created a duty. But I was astonished to find the opinion mutilated by a bungling attempt which had been made to scratch out the words, “and may.”