Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-08-23

Yhs late discoveries in medicine and the new
III. Of nractice, and new physiological theo-
r;ss 90 much in vogue of late years. 1t is spok-
~ IS "a entitled to all praise. The Lectures on
Chsn;stry embrace ali the modern discoveries
.nJ improvements. and are amply and expert
Rut i is more especially Of the Law School
,h., we would speak. When Mr.. Lomax. the
Srms, professor, was selected by the Legisa-
en-, a. Judge o. the General Court, 1t became
matter of serious inquiry on whom would de-
xolvs the successorship to the Chair OF Law
Tbe Board of Visiters, after long and earnest
d.I,beratiou, appointed John A, G. Davis, Esq.
If Albemarie. to discharge the difficult Offices OF
this professcrship This gentleman, possessed
Of yisoroas and discriminating mind. with ex-
1ensive prote ssional requirements added to great
legal acumen. having at his command clearness
and simplicity in stating his positions, with SOUND
reason and logical strength in enforcing the ar
sumeuts to support them: has, for the two years
during which he has filled the station, proved
himself TO be not unworthy OF the important
trust The best evidence Of his qualifications
are the great increase Of his class the last ses-
sion, and the universal respect and affection TOR
him manifested by the individual gentlemen who
composed il. At the approaching session the
Law Glass is expected to number more than 1t
has done since the institution OF the School. The
course on municipal law embraces, as sources OF
instruction, Cruises elegant and comparatively
succiuct Digest If the Law Of Real Property:
emitting the PORTIONS relating exclusively to the To-
cal laws and customs Of England, and illustrated
by references to the tutory regulations OF Flrsl-
MIA and the decisions Of the several States; With
reflections on the nature and spirit Of this portion
of the law as it has been changed or modified by
the peculiar tone OF our institutions. Stephen
or Pleading 1.-THE next work. is used in connex-
iCu with ample lectures on the modes OF practice,
the forms aud Improvements IN the Art OF Plead
ING, with the numerous decisions thereon OF the
Courts of Virginia. Toler on the Law of Exc
cutors and Administrators, in the opinion OF
the writer one of the most valuable works, for
its pretensons, which is possessed BY the profess
sion,-forms, with the Illustrative lectures, an
important portion Of the course. Fonbanque's
Equity, BayIey on Bills Of Exchange, Phillips
on Evidence. and Gritty IN Simple Contracts,
are the remaining books used: constituting COM
plete survey of the whole body Of English and
American Municipal Law. In the Junior Class,
Vattes' Law Of Nations, with observations on
the important doctrines Of Neutral Rights, Am.
bassadors, &C., is used; The Federalist, and
Blackstone's Commentaries. La the lectures on
the, Federalst, all the important measures of the
Federal Government are reviewed; the prlnci-
pies canvassed which, at times, have agitated the
great political parties Of the country; and a can
did aud reasonable support given to the rights OF
the States in resisting the encroachments Of the
General Government The Report, and the an.
Gent opinions, of MIR. Madison on Constitutions
al questions, and the doctrines and principles Of
Mr.. Jefferson, serve as the outline of the pOliti-
cal part Of the course. While by the time Black.
stone is approached, the stadent has been forti.
fed by sound republican doctrines to refute, as
he reads them, the errors Of that lin other re-
spects) great writer, on government and sove-
reisnty, and his TRADES on legislative supremacy
and executive infalibility. II it might not be
deemed presumption to utter an opinion on such
the principles inculcated here are destined, ulti
maely, to preserve the Constitution. and tina,
the University will be chief mean of raising uI
those who are to be agents in efecting the grea
end.
From the observations we have made, this in
,ututiou must possess, in the'eye of Virginia
and Of all the Southern States, recommendations
TO be found in no other quarter. As patriots, a:
friends Of learning and the Improvement of man,
We should regard it, and it processes eminen,
claims to be so regarded as the great effort OF
Virginia to redeem herself from the comparative
poverty in which her strict observance of cOnsti-
titutional acquisitions has placed her; and as the
most encouraging means presented tor eevating
her to that rank which her disnterested course
aud great internal resources entite her to hold.