four corners

The intention of the testator as to the limitations of an estate devised can be judged and decided only from his own language as contained within the 'four corners' of his will. Parol evidence cannot be received to show that such inference was not founded on probability, or that this rule of construction ought not to apply under certain circumstances.

A metaphorical expression indicating the whole face or contents of an instrument, taken as an entirety.

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.

The whole of an instrument, — no one part more than another.

In English law. Four seas: the seas encompassing England, or the island of Great Britain.

The face of a writteninstrument. That whichis contained on the face of a deed (without any aid from the knowledge of the cireumstances under which it is made) 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. To look at the four corners of an instrument is to examine the whole of it, so as to construe it as a whole, without reference to any ons part more than another, 2 Smith, Lead. Cas. 298.

To look at the /our comers of an instrument is to examine the whole of it, so as to construe it as a whole, without reference to any one part more than another. 2 Smith's Lead. Cas. 295.