Reasonable Time

The English law, which in this respect has been adopted by us, frequently requires things to be done within a reasonable time; but what a reasonable time is, it does not define; quam longum debet esse rationabile tempus non dejinitur in lege, sed pendet ex discretione justiciariorum.

Co. Litt. 50.

The question of reasonable time is left to be fixed by circumstances and the usages of business. A bill of exchange must be presented within a reasonable time; Cliitty, Bills 197 202. An abandonment must be made w’itliin a reasonable time after advice received of the loss; Marsh. Ins. 589. The commercial code of France fixes a time in both these cases, which varies in proportion to the distance.

See Code do Com. 1. 1, t. 8, s. 1, § 10, art. 160; id. 1. 5, t. 10, s. 3, art. 373.

See Notice of Dishonor; I' rote st. Where the facts are admitted or clearly proved, what is a reasonable time is a question of law for the court depending upon all the circumstances of the case; Paine v. R. Co., 118 U. S. 152, 6 Sup. Ct 1023, 30 L. Ed. 193. It has been held that where the question of reasonable time is one affected by many different circumstances with respect to which no definite rule of law lias been laid down, it is a question for the jury; Loomis v. Supply Co., 81 Conn. 343, 71 Atl. 358 (in a sale). It is a question for the court when by a series of decisions on the same data it has been rendered certain; Hamilton v. Ins. Co., 61 Fed. 379, 9 C. C. A. 530, 22 U. S. App. 164.