Four Corners

The four corners of an instrument means that which is contained on the face of it (without any aid from the knowledge of the Circumstances under which it was made). This is said to be within its four corners, because every deed is still supposed to be written on one entire skin, and so to have but four corners.

Wharton.

Including the Scotch and Irish; The Northern, or North Sea; The Eastern, being the German Ocean; The Southern, being the British Channel. Selden, Mare Clausum, lib.

2, c. 1.

Within the four seas means within the Jurisdiction of England; 4 Co. 125; Co. 2d Inst. 252. See Limitation. FOURCHER (Fr. to fork), or FOURCH. In English Law. A method of delaying an action formerly practised by defendants. When an action was brought against two, who, being Jointly concerned, were not bound to answer till both appeared, and they agreed not to appear both in one day, and the appearance of one excused the other’s default, who had a day given him to appear with the other: the defaulter, on the day appointed, appeared; but the first then made default: in this manner they forked each other, and practised this for delay. ■ See Co. 2d Inst. 250; Booth, Real Act. 16; 3 Holdsw.

Hist. E. L. 470, 512.