gencies of business. He may thus often be able to discover a decision that renders it unnecessary to draw up a case for the pleader or barrister, and gains him signal credit in the eyes of his master. Mr. Sturgeon's "Practice of the Bankruptcy Court," should also be purchased by the student. It is the briefest, clearest, most accurate, and conveniently-arranged practical book for a solicitor that is extant upon the subject. "Smith's Compendium of Commercial Law," of which, too, mention has been already made, will also prove a valuable acquisition to the attorney's clerk. Perhaps the best book on general law that can be placed in his hands-next to some recent edition of Blackstone-is Mr. Chitty's "General Practice," a work which he should make a point of looking into every evening. Professor Woodeson's "Lectures" also-of which a new edition has been just published, in three neat volumes, and at a reasonable price-are admirably adapted for the purpose of consecutive reading. The young reader is, however, referred to the previous portions of this work for a particular account of most of the books which he may purchase and study advantageously*. He should by all means, during some— perhaps the latter-period of his clerkship, attend course of lectures, and attend it regularly and thoughtfully. He must not be too anxious about taking copious notes; his main object should be to follow the lecturer closely in his mind, and note down only a

* See also the list of books recommended, post, pp. 489-496.

few memoranda, to aid his recollection on returning home; when he should make a point of writing out what he has heard, but not too fully, and consulting the authorities cited.

He is also earnestly recommended to lose no opportunity of studying carefully the opinions and drafts of pleaders, conveyancers, and barristers; and, where they are of more than usual interest or importance, of copying them out: he cannot hit upon any readier method than this of improving himself in legal knowledge.

Whenever he has occasion to go to the Courts he should attend to what is going on, and make a note of anything that strikes him as new, or of importance. It is astonishing how much valuable information he may collect in this way, and how advantageous such efforts will prove to his mind.

The clerk must also, equally with the student for the bar, lose no opportunity of acquiring polite and general knowledge-unless he mean to settle down into a mere drudge. Perhaps he cannot do better than adopt the course of general reading pointed out in a previous part of the work.

It would be well, also, for the clerk to bear in mind the necessity of acquiring a good style of composition, for which purpose he should familiarise himself with the writings of the best English authors, and frequently exercise himself in original composition. He should constantly aim at the attainment of a plain, nervous, perspicuous style; which, added to a methodical arrangement of his thoughts, will enable

him to acquit himself creditably in correspondence, and drawing up cases and briefs-matters which soon evidence, even to non-professional persons, whether their author is a man of general ability—a competent member of a liberal and learned profession. The author has frequently seen briefs, both in Chancery and common law causes, drawn up in a most lucid and masterly style,-calculated to leave counsel little else to do than present them to the Court.

A clerkship thus well spent will entitle the young lawyer to look for early success in his profession. If, instead of entering into business on his own account, he should prefer engaging with an attorney for a while, as managing clerk, his abilities and good conduct will speedily attract the notice of his employers, and induce them not only to give him a handsome salary, but possibly to take him into partnership on very advantageous terms. If, on the other hand, he enter into business on his own account, he will discharge all the duties of it with comfort to himself and advantage to his clients-who will not fail to give him substantial evidence of their increasing confidence in his skill and integrity.

What, on the contrary, is to become of the idle, ignorant, and dissolute attorney's clerk? Who will employ him, either as master or client? His expensive education has been utterly thrown away upon him; and he rapidly sinks from the sphere of respectable society, amid the grief and indignation of his friends, into roguery and ruin.

489

CHAPTER XIV.

HINTS TO YOUNG ATTORNEYS AND SOLICITORS FOR LAYING IN A LAW LIBRARY.

THE formation of a law library is rather a formidable task to the young practitioner, on account of its expense, and the difficulty of selection. This is chiefly the case with those who are setting out as attorneys and solicitors; to whom, therefore, it is thought that the few following suggestions will not prove unacceptable.

The very great changes which have been effected in the law within the last year or two, have made sad havoc with law-books. They have rendered large and expensive editions of some of the best standard works almost useless. The purchaser must, therefore, with reference to all text-books and digests, be now more particular than ever about ordering none but the very latest editions. Every one must, at least, for the present, look chiefly, if not altogether, to the Reports, for an accurate and authoritative statement of the law.

These remarks, though partially applicable to works upon conveyancing and chancery, are made principally with reference to the common law.

It is conceived, then, that an attorney or solicitor should, on commencing business, purchase the following works, or such of them as experienced friends may point out to him :

:

ARCHBOLD'S PRACTICE, with the Forms. In all, 3 vols. 12mo, 2nd edition. 1835. By Mr. T. CHITTY. Ante, 326-7.

Tidd's Practice is, in its present form, too cumbrous and difficult of access. It will be both troublesome and dangerous for the young practitioner to have to pick his way, in the emergencies of business, through three or four supplements. When a new edition of this truly admirable work shall make its appearance, no lawyer's library should be long without it.

GRANT'S PRACTICE OF THE COURTS OF CHANCERY. 2

vols. 12mo, 3rd edition. 1833. 23

BACON'S ABRIDGMENT. vols. 8vo. Very ably edited by Mr. Dodd, and published in 1832.

This is the favourite with the conveyancers, as Comyn's Digest with the common lawyers. Both of them are very valuable and authoritative works. A new edition of the latter has been for some time announced as in preparation. It is to be hoped that it will be carefully executed. A new edition, the fourth of that admirable work, CRUISE'S DIGEST of the Law of Real Property, in 7 vols. 8vo, has just been pub