 | University of Virginia catalogue |  |
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.
| University of Virginia catalogue | |