The successful party in all civil actions is entitled to full costs, unless otherwise directed by law or by a court of record, for which judgment shall be rendered.
Code 1858, § 3197 (deriv. Acts 1794, ch. 1, § 74); Shan., § 4938; mod. Code 1932, § 9091; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 20-1601.