Homes. 12-31-31 24119 PREFACE. THE design of the following work, and the motives of the author in undertaking it, are explained at so much length in the INTRODUCTION, as to leave him little else to do here, than bespeak the indulgence of his professional brethren. It was not without much hesitation, and distrust of his fitness for such a task, that he took upon himself to advise on the choice of the law as a profession, and on the prosecution of it as a study. But for the encouragement he from time to time received from numerous able and experienced friends*, in all departments of the profession,-whose valuable services he takes this opportunity of thankfully acknow * He begs particularly to acknowledge the assistance he has derived from the suggestions of Thomas Martin, Esq., of Lincoln's Inn, and Thomas Walmsley, Esq., of the Inner Temple. ledging, he should long ago have abandoned his task in despair. The subject he has chosen is so extensive, the design so difficult of execution, and the opinions he has had to consider so conflicting, that he cannot review his labours without a consciousness that many imperfections may be detected in them, if subjected to keen and unfriendly scrutiny. Hostile criticism, however, he will not anticipate from the liberal members of a profession to which he shall ever esteem it a very high honour to belong. Should, on the contrary, his efforts to smooth the rugged access to legal science, and exhibit to the public a just and interesting delineation of the English Bar, prove successful-should this, his humble contribution to the stock of elementary professional literature, be accepted, the time and pains he has expended upon the ensuing pages will be richly recompensed. S. W. 12, King's Bench Walk, Inner Temple, 20th April, 1835. CONTENTS. Personal Qualifications indispensable at the Bar-Deficiency of Elementary Assistance-Law Lectures-Present State of the Common Law-Position and Prospects of Students and Practitioners-Alterations in Pleading and Practice- Principles unchanged-Growth of Commercial Law- Connection between Pleading, Practice, and Evidence- Mental Qualifications of the Practical Lawyer-C'est le premier pas qui coute-Peculiar Difficulties attending the Commencement of Legal Studies-Technical Terms—Rapid PAGE Importance of a proper Choice of Profession-Peculiar Diffi- Three great Classes of Students-1. Merely Nominal Stu- dents-2. Students qualifying themselves for the Legisla- ture and Magistracy-Necessity of a thorough and com- prehensive Knowledge of Constitutional Law-Parliaments -Lord Brougham's Censure of the House of Commons- Incumbent on persons of Rank to study the Law-Spirit and Temper in which they should approach it-Qualifica- tions for Justice of the Peace-3. Students purposing to become Practitioners-University- Prize-Men- Mathe- matical Studies-Business Habits must be acquired-General Information-Public Speaking-Debate-Excitement of Academical Success-University Men without Honours- Students from an Attorney's and Solicitor's Office-Their Advantages and Disadvantages-Cautions concerning mere Technical Knowledge-Necessity of cultivating General Reflections on the Nature of the Legal Profession-Practical Cautions-Temper-Difficulties of the Study-And of the Practice-Jealousy-Detraction-Emulation-Patience and Forbearance - Dissipation-Dress and Manners-Com- panions-Extravagance-Visiting-Method and Moderation in Studying-Economy of Time-Early rising-Sundays |