An historical treatise of an action or suit at law : and of the proceedings used in the King's Bench and Common Pleas, from the original processes to the judgments in both courts : wherein the reason and usage of the old, obscure, and formal parts of our writs and pleadings, such especially as have reference or relate to the ancient method of practice, as well before the statute of nisi prius as afterwards, are duly considered, in order to shew from whence they arose : also an account of the alterations that have been made from time to time for regulating the course of practice in the several courts, with such remarks and observations, as tend to explain and illustrate the present mode of practice, and pointing out such particulars as would contract the proceedings, and render them more concise, plain, and significant, and less expensive to the suitors /