...every rule in the law can at this distance of time be always precisely assigned; but it is sufficient that there be nothing in the rule flatly contradictory...then the law will presume it to be well founded."* * * p. 36. * * * "When a custom is actually proved to exist, the next inquiry is into the legality...

...which he called Commentaries on the Laws of England. "The doctrine of the law then is this:" he said, "that precedents and rules must be followed, unless flatly absurd or unjust." But precedent and rules seldom seemed absurd or unjust to him; the laws of England were the very acme...