The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-10-23
'The law
You'd better consider


for becoming great lawyer
Have you calculated tho pros and
cons, the why's and the wherefores T.
Not for you see what your pros
and cons have come to-you have lost
half year already in choosing a pro-
fcssion,'
well, and you have lost half year
in a profession you have abandonsd.'
But have seen the world and gain
ed experience, while you have stood BIZ
ting your nails aud perplexing yourself
for nothing
Yes---you have learned to swear,
drink grog, and smoke cigars
= And you have learned nothing.'
They separated.
'What thoughtless ninny-hammer
is Frank Hairbrain,' quoth Moses -
: He'll never rise for want Of considera-
tion.'
what thoughtful blockhead is Mo-
ses Meeker, quoth Frank, He'll never
come to any good for want of promptness'
and decision
Frank entered tho office Of distin-
guished lawyer, who resided in coun-
try town, and boarded and lectured
limited number Of stude n,s-that 10 TO
say, AZ many as ho could get. His meth
cd was to converse with the young men
on the subject of their studies, which
answered all the purposes Of familiar
lectures. In the course Of these, he one
day gave definition of law.
1t is the perfection Of reason, said
he, it is rule of action for tho govern
msnt of mankind And he desired
Frank to impress this upon his memory,
assuring him definition was half the
battle, and sometimes supplied the want
of every other species acknowledge.
Part Of the occupation of the students
consisted in transcribing various legal
instruments for the purpose of giving
them practical insight into tho forms
Of judicial proceedings. The first job
put upon Frank was copying declara-
ton with sixteen counts. After rending
it over, it occurred to him it was all nom
sense to be writing the same thing six
teen times-so he omitted all but the
FIRST and last counts. When the lawyer
returned to the office. after having by
his ingenuity and learning procured the
acquittal of fellow that deserved the
gallows, solely on the ground Of mis-
take Of an nnd' for a but in the in
dictment, he asked how the declaration
came on.
sAll finished, sir, said Frank.
The deuce ' what, already z and he
thought he'd got a treasure Of q stu.
dent.
Percsiving the enormus hiatus. he
turnsd to Frank, rather sharply, say
ing
Why zounds, sir--you've left out
body and soul-ihere 10 all omission of
fourteen counts
why, SIR replied Frank, they were
all exactly alike, and ! thought it a
waste of time to repeat the Same thing so
often
You did, did you =
Yes, sir, and then there was such a
waste of words. counted the whereas
cs, and they amounted to three hundred.
! don't see the use of such mass ofun-
necessary words
Indeed
Nor Of charging a man who il ap-
pears only shook his finger at another,
with beating him half to death with fists
sticks, slaves, knives, swords, bludgeons
corn-stalks, and all that sort Of thing
Pooh; these are nothing but fictions
Of the law v"
But ] don't see the use Of fictions in
the law, sir.'
You don't = cried the lawyer, in n
rage. Not see tho use oflaw fctions-
then, Do, sir, let me tell you you'll
never be lawyer lfyou study till dooms-
day.
I believe so too, replied Frank, in
despair. ! think I'D better 90 and study
divinity-thsre are no fictions there
DO so, its all you're good for said
the lawyer, walking about chafng and
repeating Not see the use of repeat
ing the same thing over again-nor of
multiplying whereases-nor of law fc-
tions-why the fellow would pull down
the perfection of reason,' which can no
more stand without those, than a stool
without its three legs
Poor Frank was walking home in
rather a melancholy mood, when he
found Moses, standing at the corner of
n street, uncertain whether he should
turn down to the right hand or the left.
1t was nice point, and cost him great
deal Of cogitatien. Being reused by a
slap on the shoulder. from Frank, he
rubbed his eyes, and came to himself, a.
it were.
What are you about = asked Frank.
Il am considering replied Moses.
'Ah, ths old stsry.'
We'll, how do you get on with the
law ~