Fraser v. Tupper

The opinion of the court was delivered by Isham, J. Under the issue tried by the jury in this case, the general inquiry was made, whether the defendant exercised proper care in setting fire to piles of brush on his land, which he had collected for the purpose of clearing it. On that question the defendant proposed to inquire of witnesses if in their opinion it was a suitable day for setting that fire, taking into consideration the situation and character of the plaintiff’s property. The witnesses, it is stated, were on the land the day the fires were set, and were acquainted with clearing land in that manner. In their testimony they were permitted to state to the jury the position of the fire, the direction and course of the wind, and such other facts as were within their knowledge; but they were not permitted to give in evidence their opinion that it was a suitable day for burning the brush, or that the defendant exercised reasonable and ordinary care on that occasion; and in the rejection of that testimony we think there was no error. The general rule as to the admissibility of such testimony is not disputed. Witnesses can only testify to such facts as are within their knowledge and recollection. It is the peculiar province of jurors to form their opinions in the case by drawing their own conclusions and inferences from facts which are given in evidence. To this general rule, however, there are exceptions. The rule of the exception is given in 1 Smith’s Lead. Cas. 286, in which he observes that when the subject of inquiry “ so far partakes of the nature of science as to require a course of previous habit or study in order to attain the knowledge of it, the opinion of witnesses acquainted with the subject of inquiry may be received.” The rule has been given by others in different language, hut they all recognize the same general principle. The [411] authorities read at the argument of this case are a few of the many illustrations of this exception which are to be found in reported cases. On questions of insanity, settled affection or dislike, and the value of property, the opinions of witnesses may be received. Upon the same ground the opinion of experts, or persons conversant with the subject matter on questions of science, skill and trade, are admissible as testimony. But that exception to the general rule is never applied in cases “ where all the pertinent facts can be sufficiently detailed and described, and where the triers are supposed to be able to form correct conclusions without the aid of opinion or judgment of others. In such cases, Justice Royce, in Clifford v. Richardson, 18 Vt. 620, observed “ that no exception to the rule is allowed.”. In 1 Smith’s Lead. Cas. 286, it is said that “ the opinion of witnesses cannot be received when the inquiry is in relation to a subject matter, the nature of which is such as not to require any peculiar habits of study in order to qualify a man to understand it; ” and this rule is given as the result of all the cases on this subject. There could be no difficulty in this case in the witnesses stating to the jury the position of the fires which were set by the defendant, their number and magnitude; the direction and course of the wind; the position, distance and character of the plaintiff’s property, and its exposure to injury from that source. The jurors, upon the question whether the defendant exercised proper care, could form as definite an opinion from the facts stated by the witnesses, as the witnesses themselves. The subject matter is not one of science or skill, but is susceptible of direct proof, and in most cases the triers themselves are qualified, from experience in the ordinary affairs of life, duly to appreciate the material facts when found. If there is any materiality attached to the force of the wind on that day, we do not see any difficulty in conveying a true idea of it, sufficient at least for all practical purposes. There is no difficulty of that kind found in ordinary conversation, so as to convey definite ideas as certain in their character as upon other facts. (_ It may properly be said in all cases of this character, that the case should be tried and decided upon the opinion of jurors, and not upon the opinion of witnesses. ^ The judgment of the county court is affirmed.