University of Virginia Library

LAW DEPARTMENT.

     

JOHN B. MINOR, LL. D.	Professor of Common and Statute Law.
JAMES H. GILMORE, LL. D.	Professor of Const. and Int. Law.
JOHN B. MINOR, Jr., B. L.	Instructor in Law.

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 classes, and the course of instruction is as follows:

SCHOOL OF COMMON AND STATUTE LAW.

Professor 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.

Lectures Monday, Wednesday, Friday, from 11 A. M. to 12:30 P. M.

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.

Lectures Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, from 11 A. M. to 12:30 P. M.

For Reference: Virginia Code (1887); Revised Statutes of the United States.

SCHOOL OF CONSTITUTIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
LAW, MERCANTILE LAW,
EVIDENCE, AND EQUITY.

Professor Gilmore.

Junior Class.—Vattel's International Law, with Lectures; Lectures on Government;
Federalist; Notes of the Professor on Vattel and the Constitution.

Lectures Thursday, Saturday, 12:30 P. M. to 2 P. M.

Senior Class.—Smith's Mercantile Law; Greenleaf's Evidence; Adams's Equity,
with Lectures, and Notes of the Professor.

Lectures Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 12:30 P. M. to 2 P. M.

For Reference: Stephen's Digest of the Law of Evidence (Chase's edition preferred).

DEGREE.

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.

But a candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Law, who in a
previous session has become a Proficient in Constitutional and International
Law, is not required to attend lectures or stand examination
in this subject anew. All other examinations must be passed in the
year of graduation.

COURSE OF STUDY.

The course is designed for two sessions, and in general it is not
prudent to devote less time 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 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.

EXPENSES.

The necessary expenses of a student in the Law Department for the
session of nine months are estimated as below for the lowest rate and
for a more liberal scale of living.

                       

Tuition	$80	$80
Matriculation	25	25
Infirmary	7	7
Contingent deposit	10	10
Dormitory rent	15	30
Servant's attendance	9	9
Furniture for dormitory	9	19
Fuel and lights	12	24
Washing	14	14
Board	99	162
Total	$280	$380
Payable on entrance	$180	$220

The contingent deposit of $10 is credited in final settlement. This
deposit is assessed for any damage to property, violation of Library
rules, and so on, which the student himself may commit.

To the above total must be added the cost of books and stationery,
about $80 for the entire course, and the cost of a degree, which, if taken,
is $15.

For the entire course, if taken in one year, the total necessary expenses,
including books, will be $360 to $460, with the addition of $15
for the degree, if the degree is taken.

For a second year's entire course the total necessary expenses (books
having been already provided) will be $280 to $380, with the addition
of $15 for the degree, if the degree is taken.