one subject to another, in his opinion, renders them incapable of combining their ideas, weakens the energies of their mind, generates a dislike to application, and even robs them of the advantages of natural good sense. If this be the unhappy result of not possessing the art of study, the evil must be still greater, when the student has no acquaintance with the sources of knowledge; their various connections and dependencies; and the best authors who have treated the numerous departments which compose his science. To relieve the student from these difficulties, as also to inform him in the art of study, is the object of this volume.

We doubt not but this work is susceptible of much improvement, though it has certainly received no inconsiderable portion of our attention: but as the subject is, we may say, entirely new, we cannot presume that this attempt, at a regular and methodical treatise can be free from errours, either of insertion or omission. The few productions which have appeared, under a somewhat similar title, have, in fact, been essentially of a different character; in most instances, mentioning but a few books, and those almost universally known, and, uniformly read: and many of the subjects discussed in them, sometimes with an able pen, being too general in their nature to be of particular utility to those to whom they are addressed, and not unfrequently so much so as to be of equal benefit to the students of any profession.

Our object in the following Course, is to produce a learned and accomplished lawyer; and, perhaps, we may say, to aid the researches of the Counsellor, the

Judge, and the Statesman. We have selected, with our best judgment, from an infinitude of works, in every branch of the science, and have, in no instance, recommended a single work, or even chapter, or page, which could, with propriety, have been omitted. The Course, we acknowledge, is extensive, but can be thoroughly accomplished, we compute, in six or seven years, making due allowance for other necessary reading. This may appear to some a very long period, and, indeed, is nearly double that which is usually allotted. But the student should bear in mind the extent, difficulty, and importance of the science, and how necessary it is to treasure up an ample fund of knowledge before he becomes fully engaged in practice, after which he will scarce be able to pursue any study with much perseverance or method.* We find in the third Henry's reign, that nine years were considered as the period of the legal novitiate, since which time, although the science has been much simplified, it has also been much enlarged. And we are informed that, although Sir Edward Coke's university education was very thorough, and he had been a most assiduous student of law of the Inner-Temple for six years, yet

* The student is referred to our Advertisement to this edition, for some observations on the mode of pursuing his studies after he comes to the bar; as also, for some remarks on the mode of using this Course, and of extracting from its pages a plan of study suited to his special views. He is also now informed, that on this point, we have been extremely particular to furnish him, (in the course of the volume,) with the means of shortening his scheme of study, according to his own wants, leaving the residue to be taken up by him, if need be, at such times as his future professional labours will admit.

his admission to the bar was regarded as a special mark of approbation. It was not until his twentyeighth year that he argued his first cause in bank, that of lord Cromwell, a case of slander:-so also we may advert to the viginti annorum lucubrationes, mentioned by Fortescue; all of which show that the three or four years usually allotted, at the present day, to the study of a science, the boundaries of which have been greatly extended since the days of the Edwards and the Henrys, must result in very superficial acquirements, unless this short period be most assiduously and methodically occupied; and, at the same time, with the strictest regard to the most select sources of legal knowledge.

We are aware that there are circumstances, such as too advanced age, pecuniary necessity, &c. which may render the prosecution of our entire Course impracticable, at least as preliminary to practice; and there are, no doubt, some young men, who, though they may be affected by neither of these circumstances, have not sufficient industry or zeal to undertake so extensive a course. In order, therefore, to avoid all objection or cavil on this point, and to render our endeavours as generally useful and acceptable as possible, we have designated by the letter E such books, &c. as may be ejected from the Course, by such as may not have it in their power to embrace the whole: the remainder, according to our best calculation on such a subject, will require about four years; a period surely not too long to give just grounds for confidence in the young practitioner.

But, that the different views of students on this subject, may be still further gratified, we have designated a three years' course, to be ascertained by ejecting, in each title, the works, &c. to which are prefixed the letters E, e. Such being omitted, there will remain for this class of students a course, that may occupy the period last mentioned. And finally, a fourth course will be found, adapted to the wants of those who study with a fixed view of practising their profession in the interior; that is, out of our commercial and maritime cities. As to them, it is manifest that, beyond certain elementary attainments, there is no need to embrace several departments of the science; and also, that, as to some other departments, a much less extensive course will be required, than is essential for those who are destined to be practitioners in courts which ordinarily deal with the various branches of the Lex Mercatoria; of the Admiralty and Maritime Law; of the laws of Nature and Nations; and of the Constitution and Laws of the United States.

In respect to the second and third classes of students, and the courses prescribed for them, let it not be supposed that what we have thus designated, by either of the letters, is to be at a future period disregarded: we deemed the whole so highly valuable that the selection became difficult: we therefore urge all, who bave it in their power, to study the entire Course, under the full persuasion that, if they have read with attention and understanding, they may engage in their professional career with confidence of uninterrupted success; and on those who, from necessity, adopt either of the shorter courses, we enjoin, as far as may be practicable,

a continuance of their studies after they have engaged in practice; as the first year or two thereafter are generally but little occupied by business.

This plan is advisable, as studious habits, if once from any cause abandoned, are not easily regained; but, on the other hand, it requires, at this time, much caution, lest a zeal for study should occasion them to neglect the interests of the few clients they may have.