RACK, punishments. An engine with which to torture a supposed criminal, in order to extort¹ a confession² of his supposed crime, and the names of his supposed accomplices³. Unknown in the United States.

2. This instrument, known by the nickname of the Duke of Exeter's daughter, was in use in England. Barr. on the Stat. 866 12 S. & R. 227.

BACK RENT, Engl. law. The full extended value of land let by lease, payable⁴ by tenant⁵ for life or Years. Wood's Inst. 192.

RADOUB, French law. This word designates the repairs made to a ship, and a fresh supply of furniture and victuals⁶, munitions⁷ and other provisions required for the voyage. Pard. n. 602.

RAILWAY. A road made with iron rails or other suitable materials.

2. Railways are to be constructed and used as directed by the legislative⁸ acts creating them.

3. In general, a railroad company may take lands for the purpose of making a road when authorized⁹ by the charter, by paying a just value for the same. 8 S. & M. 649.

4. For most purposes a railroad is a public highway, but it may be the subject of private property, and it has been held that it may be sold as such, unless the sale be forbidden by the legislature; not the franchise¹⁰, but the land constituting the road. 5 Iredell, 297. In. general, however, the public can only have a right of way for it is not essential that the public should enjoy the land itself, namely, its treasures, minerals, and the like, as these would add nothing to the convenience of the public.

5. Rail-road companies, like all other principals, are liable for the acts of their agents, while in their employ, but they can not be made responsible for accidents which could not be avoided. 2 Iredell, 234; 2 McMullan, 403.

RAIN WATER. The water which naturally falls from the clouds.

2. No one has a right to build his house so as to cause the rain water to fall over his neighbor's land; 1 Rolle's Ab. 107; 2 Leo. 94; 1 Str. 643; Fortesc. 212; Bac. Ab. Action on. the case, F.; 5 Co. 101; 2 Rolle, Ab. 565, 1. 10; 1 Com. Dig. Action upon the case for a nuisance, A; unless he has acquired a right by a grant or prescription¹¹.

3. When the land remains¹² in a state of nature, says a learned writer, and by the natural descent, the rain water would descend¹³ from the superior estate over the lower, the latter is necessarily subject to receive such water. 1 Lois des Batimens, 15, 16. Vide 2 Roll. 140; Dig. 39, 3; 2 Bouv. Inst. n. 1608.