University of Virginia Library

LAW DEPARTMENT.

JOHN B. MINOR, LL. D., Professor of Common and Statute Law.

JAMES H. GILMORE, Professor of Constitutional and International Law, Equity, etc.

This Department is organized with a view to acquaint the student
familiarly and practically with the principles of his profession. The instruction
is as thorough as possible, and is given partly through textbooks
and partly through lectures, with daily examination upon both.

A Moot-court, in connection with other instruction, tends to perfect
the student in the details of practice. Under the immediate supervision
of the Professors, he is required to pronounce opinions upon supposed
cases; to devise and institute remedies by suit or otherwise; to conduct
suits at law and in equity from their inception, through all their stages;
to draw wills, conveyances, and other assurances; and in short, to perform
most of the functions of a practising lawyer.

The Department comprises two Schools, each of which is divided into
two classes, and the course of study is as follows:

SCHOOL OF COMMON AND STATUTE LAW.

Prof. Minor.

Junior Class:—Minor's Institutes of Common and Statute Law, namely:

Vol. I., The Rights which Relate to the Person.

Vol. II., The Rights which Relate to Real Property.

Minor's Synopsis of Criminal Law.

Blackstone's Commentaries.

Senior Class:—Minor's Institutes of Common and Statute Law, namely:

Vol. IV., The Practice of the Law in Civil Cases, including Pleading.

Vol. III., The Rights which Relate to Personal Property.

Stephen on Pleading.

For reference:—Virginia Code (1873); Revised Statutes of United States.

SCHOOL Of CONSTITUTIONAL And INTERNATIONAL LAW,
MERCANTILE LAW, EVIDENCE, And EQUITY.

Prof. Gilmore.

Junior Class:—Vattel's International Law, with Lectures; Lectures on Government;
Federalist.

Senior Class:—Smith's Mercantile Law; Greenleaf's Evidence; Adams's Equity,
with Lectures.

For reference:—Stephen's Digest of the Law of Evidence.

In the Department of Law, the degree of Bachelor of Law is conferred
upon those who, upon examination conducted in writing, manifest
an intimate acquaintance with the subjects taught in all the classes; and
to those who, upon like examination, exhibit a competent knowledge of
International and Constitutional Law, including the Science of Government,
a Certificate of Proficiency is awarded.

In order to obtain the degree, the whole of the course must be completed
here, no preliminary examination being had upon entering.

The course is designed for two sessions, and in general it is not prudent
to devote less to it; the future professional success of the student
depending much upon his full mastery of it. It is a maxim sanctioned
by long and wide experience, that "he who is not a good lawyer when he
comes to the bar, will seldom be a good one afterwards." And in order
to such thorough acquaintance with the elements of the law, thought is
requisite as well as reading; and for the purpose of thought, there must
be time to digest, as well as industry to acquire. One cannot expect to
gorge himself with law, as a boa constrictor does with masses of food,
and then digest it afterwards; the process of assimilation must go on, if
it is to proceed healthfully and beneficially, at the same time with the
reception of the knowledge. So the athlete judges, who wishes to train
the physical man to the most vigorous development, and the intellectual
athlete should imitate the example.

But whilst the student is advised, as a general rule, not to attempt to
complete the course in a single session, yet, if he chooses to essay it (as
some do successfully), he is admitted to the graduating examinations,
and if he attains the standard required, he is entitled to the degree.

The expenses of a Law student are from $271 to $333 for the session;
books will cost about $80 additional.