University of Virginia Library

Law Department.

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

STEPHEN O. SOUTHALL, LL. D.,
Professor of Civil, International and Constitutional Law and Equity.

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 examinations 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.

Professor Minor.

Junior Class.—Blackstone's Commentaries, Synopsis of Criminal
Law, Synopsis of Common and Statute Law, Chitty on Contracts.

Senior Class.—Stephen on Pleading, Kent's Commentaries, Law
of Executors, etc.

For Reference—Virginia Code, (1860), Brightley's Digest of United
States.

SCHOOL OF EQUITY, MERCANTILE AND
INTERNATIONAL, CONSTITUTIONAL AND
CIVIL LAW, AND GOVERNMENT.

Professor Southall.

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

Senior Class.—Smith's Mercantile Law, Greenleaf's Evidence,
Barton's Suit in Equity, Adams' Equity.

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, and of the
Science of Government, a certificate of proficiency is awarded.

In order to obtain the degree the whole of the foregoing 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
cannot do better than imitate the example.

But whilst the student is advised, as a general rule, to avoid the
attempt to complete the course in a single session, yet if he chooses
to essay it, (as some do successfully), he is admitted to stand the
graduating examinations, and if he attains the standard required, he
is entitled to his degree.

The expenses of the Law Student, as appears from page 55 of the
catalogue, amount to about $356 for a session of nine months, commencing
1st October, 1875; or if he messes, to about $266 per session.