Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-08-12
DOMESTIC.
CHARLorTEvILL Aug. ,.
THE UNIVERSITY.

! ing information this interesting subject:
! he course Of Instruction in the Law School OF
the University is, yet for the most part carried
on by the study of the most approved English
| treatses OF LAWN which the student is rigidly
examined on every Lecture day. The examina-
lions are accompanied by verbal or written expla-
nations and by references to American law, more
especially 10 Virginia law. Lectures only re-
sorted TO, in those cases where own laws are
pecu'ar-as Tor instance, on the law OF Descents.
writ oil Right, registration OF Deeds, sc. Sc
Examinations upon the text books greatly pre-
ferred to Lectures for the apprehension of Stu
dent can hardly ever be quick as TO catch the
doctrines OF so abstruse science the Law from
the lilss of Professor, however highly either the
student or professor may be gifted. 1t is much to
be wished that the American Laws were digested
Tor the use OF Students, in treatses of our own,
discarding the r-dundancies and absolete rubbish
OF the Common Law, and those parts Of it that are
only local and confined to England. Such di-
gest must be work of much reflection, labor and
expense Until the Student is put into the possession
al ~, there seems no course of instruction eff
| cacous, as that derived from the best English
works. with the aid OF references and explanations,
showing in what respects Law and that of the
text books agree differ, and displaying the policy
| which induced the adoption alteration of the
| English rule. Besides the examinations: These
| upon subjects appointed by the professor are from
time 70 time, required from the Students. a
piete course OF law instruction in the University,
is designed to occupy two sessions OF ten months
and ten days each-and the School is divided into
Students OF the first session.--The Senior Of those
OF the former session, and such as have made pro-
iciency in legal studies emitting them be placed
! in that class.
The text books Of the Juniors are read in the fol-
lowing order
Biackstone's Commentaries, byl
| Chitty,
Cruises Digest-last american
edition, leaving OF. GER
stephens or Pleading, tain parts in the
Seiwyns Nisi Prius, by Whea- examinations.
| ton,
Maddock's Chancery, by Hun
tngton,
The advantage OF using the American editions is
obvious, on account Of the references contained in
them 10 our Laws and our own decisions
blackstone Commentaries are used principally
Tor the purpose oil aforiing The Student at his
outset general outline OF the Lava succhict &
comprehensive view of its theory-a perspicuous
explanation Of most OF the leading principles, and
OF the terms, OF the Science. In the examinations
upon this stage of the course, references are made
to all the Virginia Statutes in pari Iaa.eria with
the text, and TO the Amcrican decisions, far on
ly as they illustrate tIe-ery same points that are
treated OF by the author.
When the Student advances in Cruises Digest.
and the other subsequent books, to more detailed
views OF the Eaw the references 10 our own Law
become more enlarged, extending over the whole
doctrine which is treated of "a more circun,stantial
statement OF our ease is Observation-Disclosures with
the substance OF the Courts opinions in abrid yed
form, wherever any important doctrine any
STRIKING peculiarly can be illustrated by them
In what mode the principles of our law be so
, faithfully and so iumIHousiy expounded, rs by a.
DOPING the expostons of our own enlightened Iu-
riss! who can improve upon the simple pPrspic IL
lty OF Pende,on, the vigorous conceptiof,s OF
Hoane! The references, which in Blackstone stat
ed merely the general abstract principle. is now
expanded into more comprehensive view of the
material circumstances Of the case, and the argl-
ments and reasoning of the Court. and instead OF
aS tot
ticed by The author Of the text extends 10 all the
, eases relating 10 that head OF the Law.
i The full benefit of these references has not
heretofore been attainable by the Studens-or was
only attainable by the laboir of tanscrhng them.
The operations OF the Autographed press irnprov-
ed rs they have been recently, Nill enable the
Student TO avail himself OF the benefit of copies
avery nconsderabe expense Of iabour Of time.
: ihese copies may he dispersed among the class,
and become the subject OF examinations "a we'll as
b the text. They will furnish the Student with use
!ui notes which he may preserve, not ONLY to ail
h'min his studies, but also in his future practice.
ms course for the Junior Class is perhaps not
precisely that which some might be disposed TO a.
dept as course Of elementary instruction. 1t is
beieVed, however, not 10 depart from such an oiie
1 very widely Ut is supposed to be that which is
BEST suited TO The present exigencies Of Students in
! Virginia. The design is to embrace in the first
, session every important branch OF Virginia Juris-
y prudence, though each branch may not be TRACED
IN al Its TamIilcatons; and TO bring TO the notice ol
III
y statute and every Virginia decision relating 10 the
d Jaws oil general concern 1t sometimes happens
;, that student may have acquired elsewhere some
70 previous knowledge Of the Law, and his principal
y OBJECT IN continuing his studies in the University
l. 49, That he may be made acquainted with the law
oil his own country. The proposed scheme accom-
Il modates itself TO the student placed in such cir
y cumstances, without any important Inconvenience
or producing any material irregularity in the stu
dies oil The noyitaie who is associated i'm the same
class with him. 1t happens too, that the drnenta-
: Die crunency Of young ambition is inpatient OF a
: course oil Law instruction longer than one year. or
me want oil means debars some from pursuing IL
I'LL its completion. Every Professor Of Law must
DC deeply sensible how immature and insufficient
must be the attainment Of single years growth:
ana should most earnestly dscOuntenance the false
hopes and relute the false calculations Of those who
expect 10 make themselves LAWYERS oy so short a
I preparation IT, however, in spite Of every refnon-
STRANGE and much TO the d.paragement Of The bar
OF Virginia, young men viii presume upon single
years study 10 claim tbeiruits Of the UigiRff an.
n0'un IucUbrGiIOHeg, il will be- 1T least some mi.
ugation Of the evil, 10 make that single year. a
p year oil most assdnous employment; and by every
AID which legal Instruction can impaft TO CONFIDENCE
. IN II as much elementary and practical Law as
can be acquired IN so short and unsatisfactory a
period. These considerations besides otherq bt'-o
, had their influence in forming ,he faregoi,,',
Ischeme for ibe Junior Class. But il will demand
upon the part OF the Student ne we'll as the Pro-
lessor the most determined and unremitling ASH.
duty.
From particular Causes not necessary 10 he hcrc
explained, The Junior class OF the last session
( 6d not read the thrse last hooks mentioned in the
v foregoing list. III. viii constitute the Senior
Class Of the nev, session. Their exercises distinc
lfofu those ot the next JUNO. Glass, will be in
a tCrf1 rofE Foo lo.. ~. L