Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-08-15

our, and his DOdy treHlpieu as tnouBh
he was labouring under a voylent fl
of ague; at last his tongue ASSUMED
its functions. "What is law, did you
say, sir?" "Yes, sir, what is iaw?"
"Wby, sir, law is--that is, taken in It's
mos, comprehensive sense, it signifies
that it is" We'll, sir, what is IL"
Did you say how nany parts it was
divided m,o?" said the stu en, and
without waiting foran answer, exclaim-
ed, "there are two kinds OF law, and
they are-"' Stop said the examiner,
"that was not the question:; however,
we will give it to the next-your other
answers will do very WE'LL" The
examiner was feeling as well as a
learned man, and knew very well the
poor fellow could answer it, if he was
not in such perturbation.
The second student hemmed and went
on law, taken in its comprehensive
sense, Signifies" Here he made full
stop. 6" So far" said the examiner,
Mr.. A. has answered" " /" Yes, sill" !"
replied the student; and after much
excr,ion he stammered through the
anSwer,not as one who is confused, but
as ilignorant of the subject he was
handling. He had no sooner answered
the question than he began to laugh,
but o.,Iy so loud that those who were
next to him could hear it. | was one
of those, and felt vexed at his indeccn,
and unleeling behaviour, aud thought
upon some plan to revenge the insult
offered to my friend, for We were on
terms Of the greatest intimacy. re-
collected a most terrible corn The fellow
had upon one of his toes, aud imme-
dia,eIy trod upon ,and not very softly
either. As soon as he turned his head
TO me, |, as il unconscious of what l
had done, shoe, NY head at him, as
much a, 10 say, Il" ought o be ashamed
of him c'r--.a, ,I al, ,nru, shook his
head al me, nit face giowsd wih in
dignation, m one hanI be- held his foot
and pulled his hair u.jE tie other: in
fact, expected soon tp see him laugh
the other side Of his mouIh,-aS soon
as was compelled TO know from his
expressions viat | had done, | affected
"A great deal of sorrow, begged thou
sand pardon, winch he could not bul
grant, though | saw that while he ex-
claimed certainly, sir! certainl yw-
his heart swore revenge. My attention
was now called to my question: levi,y
Immediately vanished, and my spirits,
which ill this time were so high, now
sunk, aud became depressed. | would
willingly have retired, and waited
another year, if / could have done So
with honor.
Now came the thrilling sound:-
&" Mr.. Subpoena" said my examiner,
"we have heard that Jaw is divided into
two kinis-wilI yon have the goodness
to tell me what they are?" As soon as
ythe question was given to me, my heart
sunk clear into my belly-it felt as
though it was wrapped up in a piece
of woollen cloth, such singular sensa-
ton never before or since experienced
AZ las, | summoned courage enough
to pu' this question to the examiner,
"Wnat did you say, sir" he repeated
his interrogation.
No" if any m ~. a, another time, bad
put this question 10 me-, with the belle
that ! could no, answer it, would have
knocked him down for IN impertinenl
bIockhead. But at his time it seemed
as if he could not have given mo +
more difficult one my ideas were like
bark on a boiSterouS ocean, no
remaining a second on one place, bu
floating aud tossing about continually
This was my reply" Law sir is "a
divided into two parts. >" Well, W.
have heard that, what are those two
parrs?" Good and bad,' said | imme
diA'ely, As if recollecling myself.
This answer as well !, might raiset
n universal laugh against me. in whicl
the examiners (no,wiIhs,a ding thei
Efforts to ,he contrary all joined
Good heavens! how | burned with in
dign1i,on. | oaiy wished shat wa
u Hercules, or Sampson, t. have
crushed them TO death; my blood boil
cd IN my veiu., and in my madness
sna.ched up a pen tina, lay before me
with the serious intention of challeng
ing every one, (there was no les
than an hundreIl Inn, tho want oc m,