The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-29

Nortunate-unfortuna He was
rather harshly but humorously inter-
rupted by the judge, who said: 80 far as
you have gone, Mr.. Green, the court is en-
tirely with YOU"
The lawyer should acquire such a deliv-
cry as will hold his hearers, and not pro-
long or drone out his remarks in wander
ing speech, otherwise he may be placed in
the position of the English barrister who
droned TO sleep a boy sitting in the court
house window. The boy fell to the ground,
and falsely reported to be killed;
whereupon the tiresome lawyer was in
dicted by some wag for granddaughter,
no value whatever; to wit, a speech"
Success. in the profession of the law. as
chance; but chance only presents. the OPP
portunity which the individual must be
intelligent enough to seize and turn to adj
vantage. Lord Eldon, when struggling
barrister. was given guinea fee merely
to appear in a case for a party supposed to
have no interest in the decision; neverthe-
less he read all the papers, and came to the
conclusion that his client had right to the
property involved; his client gave him a
ing he would give Eldon no extra fee for so
doing Lord Eldon, nevertheless, perse-
vered won the case and laid the founda-
years, to be made Chancellor of England.
WHAT A LAWYER MUST KNOW.
A knowledge of history Is necessary to
the student Of law, for without such
knowledge it is impossible to trace the de-
velopment of law and to understand clear
~ the reasons for the changes that have
taken place in this development. The law
Of England, whence we derive our law,
was influenced by the needs Of the feudal
system; and though the feudal system has
passed away, its influence remains, and
knowledge of its principles is absolutely
needful to the lawyer who aspires to a
thorough acquaintance with the law Of real
property.
Much Of the law of Admiralty, that
branch OF the law that relates to those
who go down TO the sea. in ships" is
founded on the customs in use among the
merchants of Rhodes, about 200 B. c., and
the laws OF Oeron, promulgated by Queen
Eleanor of Aquitaine; and those OF Wis
bury, little island in the Baltic, In force
in the beginning of the fourteenth century.
are often quoted in sea gases. This branch
of the law is delightful one in practice,
and is free from the turmoil and lrrlta-
ton of other branches of the profession,
as it requires knowledge of navigation and
its rules and technical terms: This branch
OF study may be begun quite early, and
may pleasantly combine pasume ana IN
struction.
OF interest is the history of law itself
What story can be more dramatic than that
of the Englishman accused of murder who,
as late as the year 1917, threw down ms
glove in open court and demanded trial or
his cause by the wager of battle. The star,
tied judges put their heads together ana
were forced TO decide that, under the law;
barbarous method of trial. AS the accuser
was much inferior in strength to the ac-
cuSed ne declined the fight, and the sup
posed murderer went free.
In the days when this custom of deciding
cases by a personal hight was IN fnii 1orce,
monks and women, being incapable of APP
pearing in the lists, were represented by
champions. In the old manuscripts interest
ing accounts are 10 be found OF the cham
pions who were kept as regular retalners
at the various inconsistencies; and the length
of time now required to bring an action to
trial may be derived from the custom Of
allowing these champions chance to get
into training before the appointed day Of
battle.
An excellent preparation for the study OF
law is the study of geometry. the student
Of geometry learns TO arrange his argu-
ments i'm logical order, to explain clearly
and concisely, and TO pass TO no new arsu-
ment until the preceding one on which 1t Is
founded is fully proved. Many lawyers
build up an elaborate mass OF arguments
leading TO the point they wish 10 prove,
only to see the whole fabric fall because
they have omitted TO establish one or the
points on which their case depends.
Political sconoLay is useful in training the
brain, as we'll as a most interesting study,
and one with which the politician must be
well acquainted The study of logic and
frequent debates are also of great need
young man acquires confidence In himself.
no becomes accustomed to the sound of
his own voice, he learns to think or his
legs, and gradually natural diffidence is
overcome. There are no qualifications more
necessary for forensic practitioner than
GOODNESS. presence of mind and self-confi-
dence.
In the large cities lawyers evince a ten
dency to devote themselves TO particular
branches OF the profession These branches