Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-10-21

acquaintance, and the derision OF strangers
tlgure to yourselves gentleman Just admit
ted TO the bar armed TO the teeth with etropes
and figures" and versed, if you please, in
every science, with the exception of that one
only by which he expects to earn his bread
Can you imagine situation more awkward
and embarrassing, more painful TO a person
OF the slightest sensibility, or more perilous
as regards his permanent welfare: He at
tempts, perhaps, TO move both heaven and
earth by the powers of his eloquence, or to
dazzle his audience by the briiliancy of his
imagination; and in the midst of his ill
Judged or misdirected efforts, he is sent out of
court by means of flaw in his declaration,
or mistake in the preparation of his proofs
lie retlres in dismay and disgust, and shrink
ing from future contests, returns, if at all, as
mere dangler, or plunges into the turbid
wave of reckless dissipation.
1ouwill find, gentlemen, within the COM
paratIvely narrow limits to which | would
restrict your efforts, sufficient employment
Tor all Your industry, and ample scope for
the free exercise of your highest mental en-
ergles. Yours will be the task, not merely
OF storing the memory with authoritative
dicta, solemn adjudications and statutory
mandates; but you are called upon by every
hope of future emnence, TO carry into your
researches generous spirit of philosophic
enquiry, noble thirst after truth and Justice,
a habit of patient investigation and logical
reasoning, and, with an humble Difference for
the oracles OF wisdom, modest confidence
IN the dictates OF your own Judgment. A
VOID, on the one hand, pray you, all petty
criticism, captious objections, crude opinions
and visionary notions; and on the other,
scorn to become the passive slaves of mere
authority, or the literary artizans of formal
drudgery.
with all your best eXertions, you will find
no reason, at the close of the session, TO be
proud OF your attainments You will then,
trust, understand more clearly than at pre-
sent, the true character of the profession, and
Danish from your minds forever any previous
expectation OF subduing lis difficulties in the
course OF few years only. In truth, you
may then hail it as an evidence of some pro
flciency, If you shall distinctly perceive that
you have selected for yourselves life of end
less laoour and Incessant application and that
at no period OF your career can the humber
duties OF student be merged in the higher
pretensions of master. As for myself, dis
claim the contemplate quackery of making
you skilful lawyers by any exeriions of mine
and aspire to no higher merit than the abili..
tty, from long experience, of teaching you
how to learn.
You are already well satisfied tina tin YOUR
course OF preparation for the praatice ,impor-
tant facilities may be enjoyed in an institu-
ton like this, as is manifest from the mere
existence OF the relation in which we stand
You have, however, in all probability, been
more attracted by general estimate of the
benefits which the novice may obtain from
an experienced guide, than by any precise
information as to the mode best ADAPTED TO
the purpose in view. The selection Of a plan
IS attended with more difficulty than is like
ly to be perceived upon a superficial view of
the subject. 1t might be supposed a priori
that the study and practice of many wears
Snould enable the professor to impart readily
his accumulated knowledge to the minds of
his pupils. But those who take up a hastv
opinion like this, do not consider the vast ex.
tent of the science, its abstruse nature. nu-
merous ramifications, minute details, subtle
distinctions and conflicting adiudications.-
The boarded knowledge of long protracted
studies would not render ii safe for the most
highly gifted intellect to pronounce disser-
tatlon upon any legal topic, without all the
precautions OF mature delberation, ripid A.
nalysls, cautious induction, patient research
and careful collation. and it is unreasonable
10 believe that the result Of all this prepara-
ton can be readily apprehcnded, fully digest
ed ana accurately remembered when cursori-
~ presented to the consideration of the stu
dent. These verydiffiCulties, however. render
1.-THE more indispensable that the learner
should have some guidance, instead of being
lett 10 grope his way over heaps of rubbish,
through tedious labyrinths and dark recesses
Accordingly, we find that few persons ven
lure 10 engage IN the study of the Law, un-
less under the advice and superintendent Of
some veteran Jurlst. The obvious advanta-
ges oil such assistance. have doubtless sugges
ted the introduction ofLaw Schools, in which
The Preceptor, less distracted by other cares
can devote lar more of his time and attention
TO The task OF instruction, and bymaking tia
settied ana regular ayoCa!ion, consequently
attain much higher qualifications.
The student in lawyers office. besdes
being exposed TO unreasonable Interruptions
can hardly expect from the scanty offals ofat-
tentlon bestowed upon him by his patron, for
the most part gratultously, more than occa-
slonal advice, perChanCe some brief and has
" examinations, and few imperfect notions
Oh the simplest practical forms The puniI
IN Law School, on the contrary, has a right
W eNPeCtlrom his preceptor constant course
VI Careiui dIscipline,a watchlul supervision
OF ms various eXertIons, helping hand in all
MS Giiilcuitles, and the faithful employment
OF Whatever eXpedients may be best calcula-
teu 10 s'iIhulale his energies and expedite his
progress mere IS however, dangerous
error OF opinion which cannot be TOO carefully
guarded against both by the pupil and the
teacher IT consists IN an overstrained esti-
mate OF the Improvement TO be impaired bv
Ftr.r, =