Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1828-08-02
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THE DIVERSITY.


The course of instruction in the Law School of tho
University 49, yet for tho part carried ON by the
study OF the most approved English rcatises of LAWN
which the student is rigdly examined every Lecture
day The examinations arc accoihpanieahy verbal or
written explanations and by references to Araef ,r Law
more especially to Virginia law Lectures are only
sorted to- in those where own Laws are necu,r
las for instance, tho law of Desccn Writ Of R;aht
Registration of Deeds, &c &c. Examinations ,pon tho
text books are greatly preferred 90 Lectures for tho an
pehenson Of Student can hardly ever be SO quick ns
10 catch the doctrines of absusc science us tho Law
from tho lips o Professor; however highly either
student or professor may be gifted 1t is much to be
wished that the American Laws disested for the
use of Students, in rcatses Of own dscardng the
redundancies and obsolete rubbish of the Common Law
and those parts of it that only local and con-
fined to England Such digest be work of much
reflection, abour and expense Until the Student is pt
into tho possession of it, there of nsrc
ian cicacuus, that derived from the best English
works with the aid ofrcfercnces and explanations shew
Ing IN what respects our Law and that of the books
agree differ and displaying. the policy which induced
the adoption alteration of tho English rule Besides
the examinations Theses upon subjects appointed by
the professor from time to time required from the
dents complete of Law instruction in the nj
versity is designed to occupy sessions e months
and ten days each--and the School is divided into two
Casses The Junior Class is composed of the Students
former
session, and such have made proficiency in legal
studies emitting them TO bo placed in that class.
The text books Of the Juniors read in the following
order.
Blackstone's Commentaries, by CGtty0
'sDgest.ast American edition, Leaving out GER
Stephens on Pleading, tain parts in the
Selwyn's Nisi Prius, by Wheaton, examinations
Maddock's Chanccry, by Huntingdon
The advantage of using the American editions is obvi
Gus, of tho references contained in them to
and
mentarics used principally for the purpose of afford
ing to the Student at his outset general outline of the
Lava succnct and comprehensive view OF its theory
perspcuous explanation of of the leading prnc-
Piles, and of the terms of the Science In tho nina
ons this stage OF the courses references made
TO all the Virginia Statutes part natera with the text
and to tho American decisions fr only hey illus
frae the very same points that are treated of by tie
thor.
When the Student advances in Cruises Dest and the
other subsequent books detailed views of the
the references to Law become more enlarged
3 ing over the whole doctrine which is treated of;
rcum,tantial statement of our cases is presented
.ier with the substnRcS ofthe Courts opinions in an
abridged form, wherever any important doctrine any
striking popularity be illustrated hythcm what
mode the principles Of law be faithfully and SO
lumnoasy expounded, by adopting the expositons of
enlightened Juristsi Who improve upon the
simple perspicuity of PcndleoD the vigorous concc
tons Of Roane The references which liz Blackstone,
ted merely the general abstract principle, is
banded into comprehensive view Of the material
circumstances of the casc and the arguments and
ing of the Court, and instead of citing such cases
late to the particular point noticed by the author of the
text extends to all tho relating that head of the
Law.
The full benefit Of these references has heretofore
been attanablc by the Students-or only atanable
by the labour of ranscrbing them The operations of
Gently, will enable the Student TO avail hinsclf of the
benefit of copes at very uncomfortable expense of Ia
bour of time These copies be dispersed among
the class, and become the subject of examination well
the text They will furnish the Student with useful
notes which he may preserve, only to aid him in bis
studies, but also in his future practice.
This for the Junior Glass perhaps precise
y that which some might be disposed adopas course
of elementary instruction. 1t is believed however not
to depart from such very widely. 1t is supposed
he that which is best suited to the present cxgences of
Students in Virginia The design is to embrace in the
first session every important branch of Virginia Jurispru
dencc, though each branch may not be traced in all
its notifications; md to bringo tho notice of the Stu
don't connected with his studies every statute and
cry Virginia decision relating the Laws of general
Germ. 1t sometimes happens that Student may have
acquired elsewhere previous knowledge of the Law,
and his principal object in continuing his studies in the
University Isl that he may be made acquainted with
laws Of his country. The proposed scheme acconmo
dates itself to the Student placed in such circumstances,
without any import Inconvenience, producing any
material irregulary in the studies of the novato who
is associated in the class with him. 1t sometimes
happens too that the lamcntable prency of young
bton is impatient of of Law instruction longer
than one year. the want of debars some from
pursuing it till its completion. Every Professor of Law
must bo deeply sensible how immature ard insufficient
must be the attnnmcnts of single years growh,-a1d
should most earnestly dscountenance Tho false hopes and
reue the false calculations Of those who expect to make
themselves Lawyers BY short preparation IT. how
ever in spite of every remonstrance and much 6 the dis
paragemcnt of tho bar of Virginia, young will PFC
sumo upon single years study to claim the fruits Of the
right anrorunt hcubrdoneS, it will be at least Some
mitigation Of the evil to make that single year. year of
most assiduous employment and by every aid which legal
instruction impart to condensc in it much olemen-
tay and practical Law be acquired in so short and