The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-05

LECTURE By Mr. ISAAC VAN wINKLE AT
COLUMBIA COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL

LECTURE By Mr.. ISAAC VAN wINKLE AT
COLUMBIA COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL
Mr. Isaac Van Wrinkle, counscllor-atlaw, gave very
Interesting lecture last night ut Columbia College Law
School on 1.-THE Roman Bar" The members Of the
Bench and Bar OF New York State and New Jersey had
been invited to the lecture. large number Of them
present, also many students from the law
school,
Among the Romans, said tho lecturer the place tor
the administration OF justice was the FORUM the judge
called pracor The classical period OF the Roman
civil process extended the reign OF the Emperor
Dioclean Under tho laws the twelve tables regular
forms OF procedure had been established. The first
peaders who appeared at tho Roman Bar wero not
jurisconsults bat the patrons Of the common people,
But whom business transactions became more frequent
ana the science Of tho law more difficult and conpli
Gated there a class OF men who began TO apply
themselves 10 tho study OF Jurisprudence. The mi-
taton the length Of oral pleadngs IN the time OF
Cicero was lett 10 tho discretion OF the Judge. IN
criminal cases the time was liked according 10 the
Pompeian rue-the having moro time than tue
accuser In tho proportion oil nine TO SIX. In inns
measurements OF time the clepsydra or water clock,
was used.
In many several counsel were employed on
side, but the castom was not approved OF by
Cicero II The accused had advocate the judges ap-
pointed one tor HIM. Under tho Republic advocates
received very large fees CIaudius and Cicero were
received from Publius Scyila, then under impeach
ment 00O 900 sescrces or about $40 0OO with which
he purchased mouse, received uuuer the VI
loan Cicero boasts III his second philippe that he
upward OF 5000 600 from cgaces lett him ny
his friends, and yet no borrowed money without
scYupc. Under Constantine advocates were prohiO-
tied. under penalty OF being disburred from making
any bargains with their clients Tor acquiring any por-
tion Of what thev might gain by tho lawsuit women
allowed 10 plead their own causes, but worc not
allowed to plead or act for others. Law was
taught IN schools about tho Same az ut tho
present day. Under Justinan the students
were obliged To study Ave years und pass
public examination. The lecturer gave elaborate
criticism the principal Roman lawyers Horton
sus contemporary and rival OF Cicero dc was
u OF great memory, clearness and accuracy, and
great grace in style Asinlus Polio was en-
dowed with great power OF unprecedented cl0-
auencc II success was the criterion OF great orator
the greatest for he the faculty VI
persuading TO u remarkable degree. II might b3 safe
10 STUDY him, but not to follow him.
While may derive many advantages concluded
Mr.. Van Wrinkle, from studying the various charac-
teriscs OF the style Of the great orators Of ancient
the projections Cicero and others required Of
orator l do consider the highest order or
eoquence 10 be the principal qualification OF lawyer
There but occasions that call II IN demand.
The advocate should learn 10 CONDUCT SUIT
with skill and ability; TO prepare the pleadtngs in
proper form and stale all the acs OF his case in
their und chronological order with clearness
and at tho Bar learn to handle his Cause
with GOODNESS and Judgment, aud endeavor 10 seize
we'll the points which Il hinges 10 learn 70 express
himself in well chosen language. sententtous rathcr
than redundant and copous supporting his arguments
with pertinent reasons and precise and well chosen
authorities. SHOULD rather urge upon the advocate
10 reverse the rule Of Ccoro-eloq rst and then
knowledge oil tho aw-and insist that no should
DO learned tho law practice and moderately e0
man OF business and judgment rather than oil great
and long DISCOURSE