severance, but more judgment in supplying it. It is laughable to see the directions which are laid down for their guidance' in the elder books, and in some even of the modern hints,' suggestions,' and 'treatises' which are recommended to their perusal, on quitting the office for an inn of court. There is now lying before the author a work published within the last ten years, containing a preposterous catalogue of works on general knowledge' to be carefully and methodically read,' that must have made many a young man's hair stand on end!

Let not these students, finally, entertain an idea, perhaps too prevalent, that there exists towards them any feeling of dislike or contempt, on the part of those who have never passed through an attorney's office. If such a feeling do any where exist, it originates, probably, in a very silly and contemptible jealousy but, at the same time, let them take care, by cultivating a gentlemanly demeanour, and scrupulous uprightness of conduct, to avoid giving real grounds for a suspicion that they resort to undue means of obtaining business. Not that such cases frequently occur; but there are circumstances, which, to ill-natured and less favoured rivals, are susceptible of misrepresentation-food for sneers and sarcasms. Let them say with the poet, "our head shall go bald, till merit crown it."

It is one thing, and very honourable, to have commenced the career of an attorney's clerk, with the

bonâ fide intention of practising in that department— or visited an office, for a short period, to gain an insight into the course of business; and another, to sneak and skulk into it, with the real but secret design of forming a connexion to supply employment hereafter. It is this latter, only, that excites, as it surely ought, the indignation and contempt, not of the Bar only, but every honourable member of the profession. Of such despicable conduct as this, however, the author, happily, never knew an instance; but that it has occurred is unquestionable.

These are the two principal sources from which our third class is filled. The remainder, it would be a needless task to attempt specifying in detail. Some are drafted into the legal from other professions-or even businesses, which they have quitted in disgust, either shortly after entering upon them, or, after prosecuting them for years; and who may, perhaps, be best designated as oμadıç *; a few honourably struggle out of the more obscure ranks of society; and of these, the Bar of the present day is said to contain one or two cheering and, indeed, noble instances; others come fresh from the dainty and delicate handling of private tutorage; and very many, after that perilous interval of indecision and indolence

"Our good Daniel," says the ingenious author of the Doctor,' "had none of that confidence which so usually and so unpleasantly characterizes self-taught men:"-an acute observation, which some of the individuals alluded to in the text, will do well to bear in mind.

which foolish parents sometimes suffer to elapse between the period of their children's quitting school, and that of finally settling in a profession. In such cases, it is often an anxious question, whether, supposing his age to be somewhere between seventeen and nineteen, a youth should be sent to one of the Universities, or entered at once at an inn of court: a point which should be referred to such discreet and experienced members of both branches of the profession, as may chance to be accessible to the parent. Dissolute and expensive habits may be as easily acquired at an inn of court, as at the Universities. Generally speaking, it cannot be supposed that any father would hesitate to give his child the unquestionable advantages of a college education, who had the means of supporting him with comfort, not only at, but AFTER college. If, however, the paternæ angustia must be consulted,-if it becomes an object to put the son into the way of speedily acquiring a livelihood; then, the sooner he is entered at an inn of court, and settled with a pleader or conveyancer, the better. He may thus, with due industry, be qualified for practice in three years, and eligible for a call to the Bar, in five. The author is inclined to think, upon the whole, after much inquiry and reflection, that the age of seventeen or eighteen is one very eligible for commencing, in these cases, the practical study of the profession.

Thus, then, from all these quarters, is collected a miscellaneous throng of candidates for admission to

the Bar. Here is the confluence of the streams-or rather, the starting-post, whitherto borrow an illustration from the turf-horses, from all parts, with all characters and pretensions, are collected for a great heat! We, however, must turn, for a while, from the exciting and brilliant race-course to the all-important scenes of the TRAINING.

CHAPTER III.

ON THE FORMATION OF A LEGAL CHARACTER.

PART I.-GENERAL CONDUCT.

MAY it be presumed that, of those described in the foregoing chapter, a few, conscious of standing at the threshold of the bar with habits unsettled, characters immature, and education incomplete, will listen with candour and attention to the suggestions which may be respectfully offered, as helps towards the formation of a legal character, before proceeding to what may be termed the strictly business portions of this work? Surely something more than aptitude for the acquisition of law learning is to be looked for in him who comes to the bar with proper feelings and objects— who aspires to become an honour to an honourable profession; one which fills so large a space in the public eye; which is fraught with such heavy responsibilities as conservator of all that is dear and valuable in society-the property, liberty, life and character of every member of the community; which enables a