all these, therefore he should alternately read, write, and converse. The custom of arguing in conversation often gives young men a disputatious turn, which is disagreeable in society; the best cure or preventive for this propensity is to mix with well-bred company, as well as with mere scholars. With this view students should endeavour to recommend themselves to the first society in the town or neighbourhood where they are situate-to recommend themselves; for the best letters of introduction will be of little avail, unless supported by their own conduct and manners. Immediately before he commences the study of the law at the inns of court, a student should peruse, or reperuse such authors, as may give him clear ideas of the principles on which natural and civil law, and the laws of nations, are founded; for instance, Burlamaqui, Vatel, Beccaria, Paley. Bentham "Sur la Législation civile et pénale" is a work in which the ideas of all preceding writers on the foundation of morals and laws are examined; in which the clear and simple principle of utility is admirably developed, and applied to the intricate and extensive science of legislation. Those who expect to be always amused at the same time that they are instructed, will probably complain of the multiplicity of Bentham's divisions and subdivisions, and of the succinctness of his style, in which he says no more than just the thing he ought," sometimes indeed scarcely so much. His able and generous friend and editor Mr. Dumont, who has in fact rearranged and rewritten Bentham's original work, has, with much skill, endeavoured to give it a more popular form. He has removed much of that complicated scaffolding, which, 66 66 however ingenious in its construction, and necessary to the progress of the workman, is useless when the whole is completed, and disfigures and obstructs the view of a superb edifice. The parts of Bentham's work, which will be found peculiarly deserving of a lawyer's attention, are the observations on legal fictions, on the glorious uncertainty of the law, on the English law of descents, and the English penal code, on the poor laws, on libels, and duels, and the whole of the chapters on the promulgation and the transplantation of laws. The reader will also be pleased by the observations on the advantages that would result to every nation from having une code raisonnée, in which all their laws should be classed under general heads or principles, and in which the reasons for and against each law, and a statement of the balance of good or evil resulting from it, should be unfolded. If this could be effected, it would at once enlarge the views of lawyers, and facilitate the study of the law, by arranging the present confused mass of precedents. The decisions of our courts in particular cases would then form, Mr. Bentham says, a technical memory, he should have said, a philosophical memory, by which legal knowledge would be retained firmly, and easily recollected. In some measure this idea is and must be pursued by every man of good sense, who studies the law; the more steadily and the more extensively and systematically it is followed, the more it will be found to assist the memory, and improve the understanding. In the works of our great philosopher Bacon, there are several papers, which will be read with advantage, pleasure, and perhaps surprise, after perusing this modern proposal for a rational digest of laws. 66 66 The papers alluded to are "A Proposition touching the Compilement, and Amendment "of the Laws of England;” and “ An Offer to King James "of a Digest to be made of the Laws of England." There are also many good observations in the preface to Bacon's Elements and Maxims of the Common Law. Of all that has since been done, or that yet remains to do, in the science of jurisprudence, as in most other sciences, the exquisite antennæ of his mind seem to have had a wonderful perception. On the principles of general law, after reading the works which have been recommended, it will be advantageous to read such authors as have given the clearest views of the principles of English law; and have shown, as far as possible, the connexion between these and the legal forms, which time and circumstances have prescribed and established. The best and most compendious histories of our English constitution and laws are to be found in Blackstone's Commentaries and Sullivan's Lectures. Groenvelt has objected with much vehemence to Blackstone's divisions and titles " Rights of persons, and "Rights of things;" " Public wrongs," and "Private "wrongs." These he terms childish and absurd distinctions. A more philosophical distribution and more rational titles might perhaps have been found; but this is a trifling and petulant objection to a great and useful work: its lucid order, plain good sense, and perspicuity of style will maintain its reputation against such petty cavils. More important attacks were made by Dr. Priestley and Dr. Furneaux on certain passages in the Commentaries, which seemed inimical to civil and religious liberty, and which particularly irritated the dissenters, against whom they appeared to be illiberally directed. Blackstone after some controversy acknowledged, that the passages. were objectionable, and he somewhat altered them in subsequent editions. And now, provided with all that can facilitate his progress and ensure his ultimate success, the young student is ready to leave the university and enter the inns of court-He must lay aside for a time his taste for belles-lettres and poetry; but he need not drown his books deeper than ever plummet sounded; it will be enough, if, like Sir William Jones, he lock them up in a chest, which he should never open, till his severer studies are completed. He is not compelled to take leave for ever; he is called upon with Blackstone only to bid a temporary "farewel to his muse." 66 66 66 "I lived at the Temple till I was sick of it; I have just "left it, and find myself as much a lawyer as I was when I was in it. It is certain at least I may study the law here as well as I could there. My being in chambers did not signify to me a pinch of snuff. They tell me, my father was a lawyer, and, as you know, eminent in the profession; "and such a circumstance must be of advantage to me. My "uncle too makes some figure in Westminster-hall; and "there's another advantage. Then my grandfather's name "would get me many friends. Is it not strange, that a young 66 See a little poem with this title by Judge Blackstone, written when he left the university of Oxford. 66 "fellow that might enter the world with so many advantages "will not know his own interest? &c.-What shall I say "in answer to all this?-For money, I neither doat upon it, nor despise it: it is necessary stuff. For ambition, I am not "deficient in that; but it is not to sit upon a bench. In "short, is it not a disagreeable thing to force one's inclina❝tion, especially when one's young? Not to mention that one ought to have the strength of an Hercules to go through our common law, which, I am afraid, I have not. Well "but then (say they), if one profession does not suit you, you may choose another more to your inclination.' Now "I protest I do not know my own inclination; and I believe "if that was to be my direction, I should never fix at all**** "O! the folly of young men, that never know their own "interest! They never grow wise till they are ruined, and "then, nobody pities them nor helps them." 66 66 66 6 This letter from an ingenious young man of elegant taste, and of no common talents, exhibits a state of mind, which has been often felt, but seldom so well described. It may serve not merely as the portrait of an individual, but as a picture of a whole class. How many, who have been destined by their friends for the bar, take an aversion to the profession, or rather to the study of the law, and turn all their thoughts to some pursuit, which they think better adapted to their genius, or waver between different employments, incapable of decision, and still more incapable of application! Some, merely in compliance with the wishes or commands of their friends, are called to the bar without ever intending seriously to practise: young men, who are heirs apparent or expectant of easy for |