Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-06
LAW SCHOOL.

LAW SCHOOL.
We a, length ,e're the opportunity laying the following
well article before reaj-t From Il, h, account
have received it u,t tribute the striking merit,
of Judge fuckers SrlooWe have lad tLe pleasure
Of vshos his Institution; but have has scholars, we
have heard lis plap snd know the Judge We are hap
ny to understand, that Ii's reputation, aud eulorsus
it, -.hete ofoptrat
Fyo'- fhe H'in5Icsiey Tirga;tian
chancellor fuckers Lar Lccfures.--The ear
nest efforts in various quarters 20 set forth the adj
vantagos Of the Law school in different portions OF
the country, may afford an apology for short no
rice Of that which has been for some wears cS;ab-
iished in this town; and though the course of in.
str;iction, and the principles on which the school
is'cQnaucied, must have become pretty generally
known to The public from the youth who have re-
sorted 10 it in considerable numbers, yet we trust
we shall be pardoned for aivefting TO them here
for the purpose of enabling others 20 determine
how far il uuites in lis plan those advantage.
which ought 10 bo expected from such an insii-
tuition.
In the establishment Of law school, it seems 20
that two evils o. opposite character are sedi-
lousy to be avoided. The one is a cursory and
superficial course OF study, which Golfer 10
permanent essential advantage; the other il a
tedious and proracted system. which. however
well calculated to make good lawyer i'll The end,
is not adapted TO the finances OF most young men,
5ld Is the less necessary AS many parts Of the pro
tession may be as advania geousy pursued by the
student Al home, where lac encounters TO extra
ordinary expense, as under the sUperinlend
OF the most learned professor. Without entering
infinitely into exposition OF this matter we shall
only say that attempt is mad in this ms i.gou
30 steer clear Of both these objections Tn.
student who has for FIVE months attended these
lectures for two hours every Gay 10 tIc week will
bear testimony TO the severe labor which this IN
.tefIued course requires aud the volume Of print
"a notes 10 BlackStone'S Comm" ntarics, which is
81. The hands OF many, will, tl,inS, satisfy tie
enquirer that the course Of study here is neither
cug:ory nor superficial, that whatever defects
there may be in the execution Of tie work it CO.
vers the most important ard interesting subjects
- which the attention should be directed. Avail
lus himself Of the lucid and beautiful work OF
Mr.. Blackstone as his text hook, the lecturer hos
in very ample commentaries endeaVored to correct
the defect of too great generality in his author hy
methodically arranging under each head in the
forms of notes and sometimes dissertations, all the
most valuable information 10 he acquired from
tho best English authorities; Getting whatever is
obsolete or inappcabe TO our institutions, and re
liesing the student from the waste Of time and la
Dor which is the inevitable result Of his unassist
cd study ofthe heavy folios of the law. Mot that
4t1DiH be necessary for him 10 devote his at
,ention TO them: But that they belong 10 a more
advanced stage Of his pursuits, and that IL con
neither be necessary nor advisable TO sPcn. tie
time trhen he is absent from home upon heaUy
srpenses, in u course or study tUhich con treN
6n prosecuted under has parental T0ef. lchere he
ss at no expense.
With the matter thus embodied from the English
law, the lecturer has endeavored TO interwcave
the Legislative proysi0us of the State and Federal
Governments; the judicial practice of courts
and the decisions of our American tribunal; aud
mus to present 10 the student fall view Of the
whole subject with yefsreuce not only TO the CON
mon law and the principles Of equity, they pre-
vail at this time in Great Britain, but also TO the
existing state Of the l3Sq in the Commonwealth Of
Virginia Whether lie has succeeded in his oh.
icct, we shall leave 10 those TO determine who have
attended his course ofectures, have looked into
HE volume
An objection has been repeatedly urged against
mere lectures, which we are very far from think
inv unsubstaniol. u ia the inposs5iity Of retain
int the principles Of an abstruse science when
they are delivered only orally from professors
chair. The lecturer in this institution became i'm
mediateiy sensible Of This upon making The expert.
Ineni. aud preceded promptly to remedy the in
convenience hy having his lectures printed i'm
sheets, which bound up into q volume
and nit into the hands Of each student. They are
fcfJre the eyes Of Tue pupil the lecture pro
cscds and when he Tc!grns 70 mis- chamber he
takes Them willi him i5r minute examination there
These lectures are themselves commented on
exp,nded and eXIhincd as occasion may repuirp:
md cases shortly cited IN them, with the interest
log opinions Of The Learned judges, arc iyc-
7iuenuy turned 20, and read in The course Of TIE
Lecture, in order to possess the student fully and
cleaFly with Tie principle decided BY this course
and the assistance OF nights diiigent study. he
- prepared for an examination on the lectures 2.
yInute 81 nc could Undergo on any other tex
lp0k. This examination takes place every dav
AL on Saturday K a revision exauinii1n Of IN .
6ors of the week also invariably occurs About
4be termination Of the course another general re-.
vision is made, and those who have been diigant
have displayed, as 10 a. believed, the eminent adj
-sa1taees OF their cour.e Of study. Too many ic
ynedatey apply for a Hence at tie eud Of thcit
eHm, MEASURE b7 70 means recommended {,
fhom-. Though - sCrh a. have I'D ID -, a.