New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-06
THE FIN DE Steele PORTIA.
SHE MUST BE PERsEvERING AND REAL
LY LEARN LAW FIRST
THEN. ACCORDING TO FLORENCE DANGERFIELD
POTTER, THE AsPIRANT HAS PLENTY OF
CHANCES TO sCCCEED.

POTTER THE AsPIRANT HAS PLENTY OF
CHANCES TO SUCCEED.
While the woman physician has become a recos
pized factor IN the professional word, such
position hardly be claimed for women in the
law. but II the standard q mental fitness and
capacity. instead 0: money success. Is
allowed he. a decided victory has been s.gnalized
even in Tits comparatively short time II is not a
decade since colleges ard universities In this State
began graduating women from their law Schools
and scarcely a score Of years have passed since
began storming this last citadel Of the
learned professions. Yet the number IN the
profession has mounted into the hundreds. Wheth-
e. there IS. in material sense. rich harves;
awaiting women generally IN this field has hardly
been proved. but If so. there IS at least no easy
reapine and the number for whom it has been even
bread and butter" success few.
The social compiled tons % the woman lawyers
position also unique The woman physician or
dentist ma have her clientele Of women whom
she 20 a great extent in private hut even
though woman be her client. the woman lawyer
mus, inevitably be associated with men, Tor
thousand 10 one the lawyer the other side will
he Of the opposite sex, and In the active practice
OF her profession she enters almos, wholly the
qualifications of the strictly masculine world in
office. IN court IN commerce and business. If she
j. a sensible woman she viii expect no favOTs on
account Of her sex. and although the testimony OF
every woman would believe. he that OF almost
invar!able courtesy and generous welcome from her
brother attorneys yet the ramFarts yield but
slowly and the law has many delays. No matter
what have been her motives In entering the pro
fesson she will need above AL things for her sus
tanning and guidance through many experiences
severely trying TO her womary instincts firm
hold on the basic principle which should permeate
all her work. that the sole origin q every right
IS in a duty fulfilled" Even at this day The woman
lawyer is a pioneer. and only the best work and
keenest sense Of duty will he the warrant OF her
right enter the profession
The choice OF the law is. therefore. serious
question not only 10 the woman dependent upon
her own resources for her living. but also TO the
woman who IS ambitious TO make her life count by
dligent requirements In some profession or art
But whatever may be said Of tho practice Of the
profession the study Of Jaw is one Of the greatest
benefits a woman can possibly obtain There Is no
walk IN life which she cannot the better fill for her
legal knowledge and for the enlargement OF mind
which II brings. II all women DO not practise after
s,udvng II is no proof that women a failure
in the law but. the other hand, the world IS
the richer. and her powers for good greatly IN
creased.
To the study Of the law have come women Of
all conditions and occupations In the lecture halls
Of New-York University. open TO men and women
sNke SIT side by side clerks from business houses
st.noeraphe from lawyers Offices DESTROYS of en-
lsrginy their usefulness or OF taking up more
ec,,ve career for themselves, daughters wives ard
rco.hers Of professional men, women OF wealth and
oorefu,lv guarding their affairs young col
I.se women. philanthropic women. and women
without purpose. without training, WITHOUT OusI-
nasa eYnerience who have drifed into the lectures
because II Is the thing 10 study sonae'hing
,r,ne out OF ten OF these women will probably never
,,..,,s. end this IS the same throughout the
whole country: but all Will the better appreciate
,he work OF those who so on 10 the iP' ""D
really enter the profession IL Is IN 'e p'ao''ce
,a,t he romance ceases and the hard struggle be
gins. ., ,horo &
-, ,oisr, n, mind or grace OF person which GOES
not acc 70 the chances OF ult'IHa'e SUCCESS D" "
1000 stock OF com:nor-sense re'enti'e ""V'"N''
a logical luind or the ability 10 reason VIII az"
great powers OF concentration IRE absolutey eSS''
ia, or the study Of law viii be HKsohe' anu
10th rs study and practice failure. mere Is
grea: variety OF practice IN the a" @"u go 'oo
attorney may choose that department 'o' VIM"
hor talents and inclination nt her. She need ho'
mink Of Law only in connection win court WON,
r,r many Of the wcslth'est and most sNcceSS'"'
PRACTITIONERS are never seen IN the colIts S"p &C
not noted for ;her forensic ability. nero ~
b.e, women who have pleaded success NY pe."'e
,,,-cs and others who have confined thoin'e ''9
,.r,..ly 20 Office practice. securing couhSf' -
,o,-esert them when case reached tilS'. '"'''
,btrgs are hoyeye: largely matter Oh car
stances and the young attorney Should SceN
com. az rounded In character and talent as II IL
rcssbIe for her 10 become
THE NECESSARY EXAMINATION
Yer admission 20 q regular university "a" fc"oo'
80 .,c, . course IS always desirable II IL can DC
.Horded-.he young woman must be a '"''
eighteen years OF age. and mast furnish oo'
,incate o. good moral character. She VII fnso 80
required II she does not possess college "P'o"A
or the necessary Regents cerUncaie' 10 P
o,.dl,stie examination IN English literature Eng
Iish composition seography Physiology hyE''ne'
nlane geometry and Algebra. and In Two Of INC
,our following divisions Of history; Greek fo"""'
E,el,sh and American. In advanced suDler,s one
- sshe folloning groups: (a) Greek ana Luth. o,
~, Latin and either advanced French or ndy"hcs'
~, ar r., advanced French. advanced Ger,
nan and SOLD geometry. advanced Algebra "ra
III -. a,1 spherical irlgOnOmetFy. she sD0ud hhV,
kias era uste OF a college or university. procure
ne RecsD.s Claw studsnt esTt.ncole ~ ot S a,
comb Win the rules for admission tho '''