University of Virginia Library

LAW DEPARTMENT.

     

JOHN B. MINOR, LL. D.,	Professor of Common and Statute Law.
JAMES H. GILMORE, LL. D.,	Professor of Constitutional and International 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 text-books 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 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
already been provided) will be $280 to $380, with the addition of $15 for the
degree, if the degree is taken.