guarantees given to the aristocratic elements, and to property. The aristocracy of the house of lords is not only represented by its family connections in the lower house, but it is supported by all the lawyers who have seats in the house of commons, and who, from motives of interest, and habits of routine, are hostile to any innovation which would overthrow the usages and customs of the political and judicial legislation. M. Cottu's work on the administration of criminal justice in England, is full of curious information on this head, because the hints which the author received from the whig lawyers of the day, betray the secret of a tacit connection between the aristocracy and the bar.

Coke and Littleton left behind them learned commentaries on the laws of England; but Blackstone's Commentaries, which appeared subsequently, have the advantage of being real elements of jurisprudence, and presenting materials for a complete course of study. Without rising to the height of the views of Montesquieu, he goes back to the general principles of society, and discusses with clearness their positive interpretation and successive applications. Though his style has not the precision of the author of the Esprit des Lois, it is often energetic. Blackstone wisely renounced the pedantry of the old lawyers, and did not disdain a poetic metaphor when it served to enliven an argument. Thus, when treating of legal reparations, he compares the whole system to an

old gothic castle of the feudal ages, converted into a modern residence.

But the Collection of State Trials is a most valuable work to those who wish to study English legislature. There the origin of almost all the laws are explained; because in historical trials of general and permanent interest, an infinite number of incidents have naturally been attached to the principal cause, and have shared its importance. The state trials are likewise the annals of English eloquence, from the time of Henry II. to the present day. They furnish the historian with materials for studying the spirit of every age; while at the same time they are an inexorable register of injustice and error, well calculated to humble the pride of both kings and subjects. It appears that a statute of Edward III. abolished the exclusive use of the Latin tongue in legal proceedings: but Latin was not entirely banished from the courts of law until the reign of George II. The reformation was so exclusively religious, that its leaders merely insisted on having the bible translated into the vulgar tongue, through distrust of the priests, while the worldly interests of the community were consigned to the honesty of lawyers. Joined to the barbarous forms of legal proceedings, law Latin may be justly compared to the Egyptian hieroglyphics; and even when translated into the vernacular tongue, it is to me an unknown language. I frankly confess that I am not one of the initiated; and this will help to account for the

inaccuracies which may be found in my letters which treat of legislation and the bar. Bentham's theories are to me more interesting than those of Blackstone. I will, however, try to give you a few brief sketches of the most celebrated English barristers.

LETTER L.

TO M. ST. CLAIR.

If ever I should send you any observations on my respectable brethren the English physicians, I must in conscience warn you that, perhaps in spite of myself, a certain degree of partiality will creep into the praises I shall be inclined to bestow on them. I have just been glancing over M. Cottu's interesting work on the administration of criminal justice in England; and I am convinced that it is very difficult to avoid being influenced by that esprit de corps which closely unites the members of the same profession, even though they belong to different nations. This fraternity, this free-masonry, certainly exists in greater force among lawyers than among physicians. M. Cot tu devotes a whole chapter to the panegyric of the legal professors of London, whom he praises as seriously as a monk would praise his own convent. They are men of unparalleled probity, learning, delicacy, and amiability. He does not even in

dulge in the least joke about their huge wigs, their bags, their awkward gestures, or the monotonous and nasal tone of their delivery. M. Cottu has only forgotten to mention their written eloquence. Yet this perhaps is the only thing for which they deserve praise, thanks to some celebrated names among them. It is certainly the only point on which my impartiality permits me to compliment them with sincerity. Erskine, Mackintosh, Romilly, Curran, Scarlett, Brougham, Denman, Williams, &c. &c. are names which belong to literature. To a novice like me, the eloquence of a pleading seems all a mere fiction.

Though my friend Henry B-somewhat resembles the Templar of the Spectator, who was more fond of the theatre than the study of jurisprudence, yet I naturally addressed myself to him, in order to get introduced to the schools of laws, and to hear the principal legal professors. But what was my surprise on being informed that these schools existed only by name! Of what use are the inns of court? Who guides the young candidates through the mazy labyrinth of English law? How do they get admitted to the bar? Why do they not study at Oxford or Cambridge? In short, I asked all the questions which I doubt not you are just preparing to address to me. I shall give you the answers which I myself received; but in a very concise form, as I shall necessarily return to this subject when I visit the universities.

Every member of the English bar belongs to one of the inns of court. Instead of being obliged

to attend courses of lectures, and to undergo examinations, the students are merely required to appear at the inns to which they belong five times during every term; and above all, to contribute with their purses and appetites to sixty dinners in the course of the year. These gastronomic regulations would appear strange enough to that portion of our studious youth who regale themselves with a dinner at Very's, or the Frères Provincaux, once during their three years' labour.

After attending these legal feasts, or paying a fine of eighteen shillings for every time he is absent, the student is called to the bar on the proposition of the society. He has to pass through a general examination, and the majority of a single vote may occasion his rejection. The celebrated Horne Tooke underwent this humiliation. The majority has also the right of expelling any member who may behave improperly, or assigning him a place at a particular table during the dinners. The police of the inns belongs to the benchers. The barristers are next in dignity to the benchers; and next to the barristers are the students. In former times the English lawyers constantly wore their professional costume. It may be presumed that they once devoted too much attention to dress; for Elizabeth passed sumptuary laws, prohibiting them from wearing long hair, large ruffs, cloaks, boots and spurs. The length of their beards too was determined by legal regulations; but on this point fashion always had the ascendancy; and the lawyers always wore their beards long or short,