The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-10-30

NV, 'l'"t He WIS pci'c'cu 10 oc 'SOOd OOy.
''lcs." said Mr.. Macy, "Townc made
me-"
Profession and Practice of Law.
"REMINISCENCES BY THE HON. o. II. SMITH.
yield this sketch at the request of nv
youn" friends to the legal profession
With som" preparatory study and thirty
seven years practice i'll the courts Of the
State and of,he Unte'l States, it may be
presumed that the hjcct touch is some
what familiar TO me, and rs the title uf the
sketches Indicate that they arc more or less
directed to the bar. this will be consid cred
as appropriate. The profession Of the law
iso high import and Of great responsibility
inv"lvin" more for deep reflection and ma
turc consideration before it is entered into
than any other. Why is it that SO many
Of the profession fall by the waysiJe Why
$" many hangers on TO the skirts of tic pro-
fcssion Why so many who never reach
amc'lium position at the bar? WHY 80
few who acquire wcaltl, and fame in the
profession ! These arc important questions
in which the young man designing to make
the law his profession. the father who
thinks Of the profession for his son. the
! young professional man, and even the more
aged practitioner, is more or less interested
1t is not generally understood that the
profession of the law is one of the most IA
hori"us that man WAS ever engaged in ::
that the proper preparation Of the mind for
eminent success is found only in the few.
and when found will, the proper habits, in
tegrity and industry, success will rs certain
~ follow as that effect will follow cause.
! There never was n greater error in fact
than that committed by devoted parents
when selecting professions for their sons.
! The most feeble, the tcntlcrcst, and those
! who are supposed TO he unable to struggle
! physically with the outdoor labors of other
! professions, trades, occupations and business
! es, are cons igncd to the scclusion of a pro-
ftssional office. My experience and obser-
vation teach me that all such should bn d.
rcctcd in their yonth to some active out
door employment, trade or avocation, Civ.
! ing constant exercise to the BODY and
mind. The student mt law cannot have
loo firm constitution his chest and lungs
cannot hc too much expanded his voice
cannot be too clear and strong. nor his
health too good. Ifhc practice the profts-
si"r only half so long as l lave he will
find that lie will have use for all the bodily
qualifications have named.
Good common sense is essential. 1t is
the foundation upon which the superstruc-
| turc of education must rest /; and If it is de-
fettive. you may build the superstructnre 10
The skies and it will crumble and fall. If
Nature has not done her part TO make the
lawyer, in vain will lie struggle, to sink at
last in some other profession or avocation
which Nature has designed him for. The
student SHOULD have good sound English
education he should spell well, read well,
anl understand the principles Of arithmetic
anl English grammar. The higher branch
cs may bc added, lut do not hold that in
this country knowledge oftl,e dead Ian
guagcs and n familiarity with the classics
is essential to the student, nor even to his
success as practitioner. although do not
object 10 their study where favorable on.
portunity has been afforded but do mean
TO say that have known many graduates
Of colleges who were so deficient in tue
English department Of their education as TO
bc disqualified for students in my office.
A. fine looking voung.nan called upon
me one day, desiring to slu'ly law with me.
Inquired of him rs to his education.
am a graduate Of an eastern college; | un.
ders'apd Latin, Greek and Hebrew !;
stood number two in n lnrgc class Of grad
uates.". "Do you spell well 7" II presume
so, Int I never thought much Of tl,a.."
[.Spell balancc." .'lsal-lance." .s.Thnt will
not do. DO yon read we'll r. "Ccrtainly;"
.Read this" My name is Norval on the
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