Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-10-26
Back Seats"

We heard mechanic few months since
make the remark. that the back seats in
his occupation were full. but there was
plenty of front seats unoccupied." This
criticism will hold good in all trades and
profess ions we have no doubt and especial
" is it so in the profession of the law. We
could not resist the impression forced upon
us while watching the proceedings of the
bar while the old docket was being called
on Tuesday. that half the members of
the bar of thi. county cannot make so re-
spectacle living in their present calling
as they would in some other line of bust
ness: and to one not bred to the business
of the law. and not used to the details OF
such practice a obtains here. the whole
routine seems puerilc. There does not seem
TO be anything TO call into play the best
talent. or that which would satisfy the
warnings of large hearted and large BRAIN
ed men. The whole practice of country
towns. or 1t may safely be affirmed. three
quarters of such practice is calculated to
dwarf the intellect rather than to sharpen
aud enlarge it. The business OF finding
out by sharp cross-questionin"S. whether
Dick horse jumped over Bob's fence. or
the wind blew the fence down. when car
red on for hours or days. and at the ex-
pence of the time of numbcrlcss men and
women, seems like a needless was:e-not
of brain. power. perhaps. but OF time and
M ,ney. There may be~cascs come mp for
publication. seemingly triiling in appear
aacc, bat Ia which are Involved nice. or
grave principles of Law: but these are
the exceptionablc cases. But what we
took our pen TO say. is that to our mind
half of the members of the legal profession
would make more than ordinary mcchan-
l.. or farmers or traders. whio in the law.
they Will always occupy back seats. These
remarks are for general application aud
are not to be applied TO the Hancock bar.
especially. for the bar of this county Ia
more than an average one no doubt. But
what is there in the profession that is so
enticing that good mechanic, or a good
farmer or lumberman should be spoiled To
make an indifferent lawyer: rs before re
marked. there is nothing in the details OF
the practice as it is carried on before Il Tri-
nj Justice, to enneble the business. while
| he who crccts fine e,lifice. or builds j
| splendid ship. or YIELDS two pieces of iron
snillfally. or makes Il locomotive. or raises
| fac stock Oh the rugged hills of Maine
does that which brings to himself credit
and also what benefits his race and coun
try. ~ With the profession of the law. ST
with other professions and calling> by til,
| world deemed gente,l All these are mor'
than full of such rs are toe idle or proud Il
work. and those who have been SO mucl
in haste to show off in their chosen calling
that they have not half prepared for tn
business. Such will asSuredly fill bael
seats. All cannot be WebsterS. no
Choates. nor Beechers. nor Motifs.
is true, and these brilliant stars are not 5
ea,ily matched. and yet those entering tn
professions in which these men have shon
so grandly. should take them as model
and strive to get a. near to their High mar
as possible; but if mcn will enter the pre-
LESSONS with no ambition at all to excel
and with no application. AMI without nat,
raj talent for the business. they will q
course have to take back seats. All tles
matters regulate themselves in grea
measure it is true. as the test lawyers re
the best practice. just the best mechanic
or the best day-la5orers get the most wor
to 60. but this is not all. Tor those who sue
coed iudiifercntly because of their inapt
t'ldc, mig ht Till honorable position in othc
callings. and so become public, blessing in
stead of the reverse being true,