The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-02-21

partments of several of the liberal branches.
1t was surprising that there Lad never yet
appeared ip Yankeedom any scho oil textbook
on comp .ercia law. Mr. Freedley accounted
for il in the fax. that members of the legal
Profession consider little learning as such
dangerous thing. that they stigmatize all az
tempts 10 prepare such books, as stepping
beyond the limits of professional etiquette
Blu, it was doubtful that any lawyer scrupled
to write such book, simply through fear of
obstructng the flow of the dimes into the
pockets Of his brethren; or through any ap-
prehension of depreciating the public idea Of
the vastness and subIimity of the SCIENCE
For every item Of knowledge thence derived
would be but gate to wider and higher do
mains; like the very Hill Of Science itself, as
the beautiful allegory Of the cssayist in the
old English Reader had represented it.
Inc lectuier proceeded to show that it was
never the lot OF the both useful and orna-
mental class to escape high and unexpected
responsibilities in the impromp,u decision Of
practical questions wherein an elementary
knowledge Of law and equity is indispensable );
and to specify wherein this ov.edge and
ITS application ennoble womans head and
and heart; and to instance wherein, among
the other classes, an ignorance OF some mos,
ordinary principles Of commercial law, had
changed the fortunes of a lifetime.
~ pebnie on the strcamet scant
Has turned the course Of ,uany river;
i dew-dTop on The baby plant
has warped the giant oak forever"
Inc lecturer proceeded to consider certain
obstacles t" popular knowledge of legal
science. Through the reports CT batiied suit
ors, prejudice against lawyers and lawsuits
had NronStulIy extended also to the Law.
Though the peGautries and technicalties of
cstmlnster Hall were obsolete. nations
sons-makels care not who row make its
laws, and TIE rabble still sing
If YOU re fond Of botheration,
Latin, and pure vcxation
0" re Just in situation
10 enjoy q suit at law
They repeat the joke of Foote, forgetful that
the corpse of a clergyman, or any other man,
might also disappear like the LAWYER s-the
''c2use being glad to have him out of the
world" Foote could not exactly tell what
became of him, not being acquainted with
supernatural! causes; all that he hne~ of the
matter was that there was a strong smell of
birthstone in TIE room next morning.
Yet net only wags but moralsts have ex
asgerated the point that men of learning and
talents should hold themselves out as ready
to employ their abilities in almost any case
without much regard to the persons or char
acters of their clients. DR. Johnson's reo'y
to sir VIM. Forbes is an nSupcrab!e answer
to the whole cayi!: "Sir, LAWYER has no
business with TIE Justice or injustice Of the
cause which he undertakes, unless .he ellen,
asks his opinion, and then he is bound 10
give It honestly; the justice or injustice 9.
the cause is 70 be decided by the Judge
Consider, Sir. what is the purpose of courts
Of justice 1t is that every man NAV have his
cause fairly tried by men appointed to IT,
causes. y lawyer is not to tell what h.
knoNs TO be he-he is not to produce what
he kno"s TO De a false deed-but he is No,
to usurp the province Of the jury and the
Judge, and determine what shall be the etiec,
u evidence, " ha. shal! be ;he result o! LEGAL
argument
Inc lecturer save some amusing ilus,ra-
items o' The error cf the vulgar p:eiuuicc a
Salnst the Law, an! finally concluded: Since
,hen the Law is not mercy an abstract sci
c&ce, but among It's n.axims are those Of
commercial wisdom, and among its rules
those designed to promote fair dealing and
justice; tn '>e VT propose to consider bv the
light Of established decisions. and ;scertaia
thereirom the path Of safety in the transac-
tons and complications Of business: the ba-
SIS Of oar exploration will lie that branch Of
the Common Law whose foundations rest
mainly upon the usases which merchants es-
taDllSled for the regulation of their dealing,
throughout the civilized world. and which
from ,irpn IN fip,a bovo .,oo;,.ol