The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-05-24

! law. He is too fond of praise, too
eager for notoriety, with no pen
chant for fried chicken and other goot
things usually provided by the sisters
for a preacher Nor brains sufficient
for a farmer or successful mechanic
| guess Johnny will be compelled to
study medicine"
am 10th to admit that we have in
our profession, those derived from fel.
lows having qualities very like those
claimed for Johnny. Not, however
in the sense of the jocular old farmer
but in that of want of adaptation
or as politicians would put it, the
right man in the right place. That
is, he is not by inclination and predi
lection, devotee to the profession o1
his choice.
Please notice that ] use the word
profession in the singular. | say
without fear of successful contradic-
tion, that it is not within the intel
lectual capacity of any man (or woman
for that matter) to successfully and
practically follow any two or more of
the learned professions.
He should give no more, than, as it
were, recreative attention to the fine
arts, politics, commerce, stock broker
age, agriculture, or in fact any of the
active business affairs of life If he
give more than that, he has discount
ed his professional usefulness to the
extent Of the misspent time. One of
Germany's favorite poets, the world
famed Goethe, was so we'll aware. of
the truth Of the pr position just enun-
ciated, that he uses the following G
phrase in his Sonnet to Art and Ma
ture: "Wer crosses will mus sich
zusammenraffen, in der Beschraen-
kung zeigt sich erst der Meister' ''He
who would be great must concentrate;
for in concentration only is shown the
master
This idea of concentration can be
illustrated by humorous anecdote
told of the great philosopher, Sir
Isaac Newton. Sir Isaac, like most
of his brethren, formed an ardent at
tachmeut for one Of Ewes fair daugh-
ters; and as is usual, under such gen.
erous impulses, paid her frequent
visits, at one of which, having gone
through the small talk, sometimes had
on such occasions, began to grow ab-
sent minded, apparently forgetful of
the object Of his visit, doubtless con-
centrating his ideas upon his favorite
Binominal Theorems, and other math-
ematical principles. Meanwhile an
instructive desire to smoke came over
him, and having the young lady's
hand in his, thoughtlessly attempted
to cleanse the bowl. Of his meerschaum
with her index finger, which he slight
ly burned. Sir Isaac died bachelor!
For the sake of domestic felicity, |
shall not recommend quite so much
concentration to the unmarried men,
bers of our profession, at least during
single misery.
But 1 can safely affirm that it is
to those persons who have the power
of fixing their thoughts upon any
special branch of scientific investiga-
tion, or branches of science from
which their profession is evolved, that
we are indebted for all of our advanc-
ed ideas in philosophy.
It is said that the Hon. Daniel
Webster in his boyhood asked his
father what he should do to become
great. His father pointing to nail
in the floor, said: "fx your eyes and
attention on that nail, and think of
nothing but the nail, its composition,
mechanism and use, for ten minutes;
if you can do that, you are already on
the road to greatness"
Webster, said that he tried it, and
failed; but it taught him one Of the
best lessons of his life; necessity of
concentration.
In Webster's profession, (that of
the law, we find that the best jurists
are not as a rule the most successful
lawyers before a jury. The scientific
and intricate structure of the law is
such that it requires stupendous ener-
gy and constant study, so that he who
solves its many and apparently obscure
problems has but little time for the
fine arts of Rhetoric and Elocution,
or the outburst Of passionate appeal,
and lachrymose declamations.
We often hear remarks like the fol-
lowing: "His Honor, Judge A, is an
able jurist, a high toned, honorable
gentleman. That Mr. B, Mr.. c and
Mr.. D, are jury lawyers, the latter a
very shrewd, and eloquent speaker,
irresistible before jury or on the
stump. and like Messrs c and B, is
not first rate Judge of law; his con-
science does not prevent him from
being retained in cases that should be
properly kept out Of court"
Can there be any doubt in the pub
lie mind as to The comparative worth
Of those different characters to the
social organization?
The first who now wears the ermine
grown prematurely gray from the
thousands of hours spent, many of
them by the light Of the midnight
lamp, pouring over his law-books,
volume after volume, solving the
philosophical problems connected with
the science of the law; who has work
ed with an indomitable courage,
actuated by love of his noble pro-
fession, regardless of honor or fame,
except that which his profession, as a
reward Of merit, brings him.
How the heart of every generous
study-loving man delights to honor
such faithful student.
Contrast the studious and honest
attorney with the oily tongued, silvery
toned orator, with smattering of the
law, but full to overfowing with pro-
testations Of love and disinterested
friendship, willing to serve his fellow
countrymen in any capacity that will
give him honor, fame and mileage.
But then they are somewhat useful
they do for the state legislature, an6
the lower house of Congress