CHAPTER X.

THE THEOLOGICAL DEPARTMENT.

WITH regard to this branch of the University, it will be deemed requisite to offer but few remarks. The College having been founded for the particular advancement of the interests of religion, ecclesiastical literature was a primary object with those who were charged with its government. From this circumstance, many incidents strictly pertaining to a Theological department, have necessarily been connected with the academic narrative.

President Daggett was the first Professor of Sacred Theology. The Rev. Samuel Wales, President Dwight, and Doctor Eleazer T. Fitch, have in succession occupied that chair. Their names have already been mentioned in the progress of this sketch, and with the exception of the last named gentleman, who now occupies that station, their characters have been noted.

The Professorship of Ecclesiastical History, appears to have terminated on the decease of President Stiles, in 1795. In the year 1822, an important addition was made to the Theological department of the University, by the appointment of a Professor of Didactic Theology. The Rev. Nathaniel W. Taylor, S. T. D., then pastor of the

first Congregational Church in New Haven, was appointed to this new Professorship, and has since that period, been in the active discharge of its duties. This important branch of Theological learning, had its origin chiefly in the liberality of Mr. Timothy Dwight, son of the distinguished President of that name, who contributed five thousand dollars for its foundation. The Professorship, in just compliment to his liberality, and to the Collegiate services of his father, bears the name of the Dwight Professorship of Didactic Theology.”

66

Mention has already been made, of Professors Goodrich and Gibbs; who, although strictly belonging to the Theological department, have yet important duties to perform, in the classical concerns of the University.

The number of Students connected with this branch of Collegiate instruction, has been continually increasing, as more full advantages for professional preparation were provided. During the last year, forty-nine Theological Students were named in the Catalogue. The other particulars, in relation to this branch of the University, are to be found in the general circular, copied in the appendix.

CHAPTER XI.

THE LAW DEPARTMENT.

THE study of the law, as a branch of academic literature, is of recent origin in the English universities. On the continent of Europe, where the civil or imperial law constitutes the basis of the codes adopted in the several nations, lectures on that department of science, and on the modifications peculiar to different countries, have long formed an essential branch of polite as well as professional education.

The elaborate learning, the systematic precision, and perhaps the more despotic character of the imperial code, for many ages, gave it favor and dignity in the eyes of learned men, who looked with contempt on the unwritten constitution and laws of England, as a mass of absurd and undefined customs. It was even in the middle of the last century, deemed impossible to reduce their unwieldy bulk to the process of any regular analysis.

Sir William Blackstone, in his admirable lectures, delivered at the University of Oxford, triumphantly refuted these absurd opinions. Since the commencement of his lectures, in 1753, the study of the English law, both in the mother country, and in nations and colonies which have adopt

ed, or derived from her their civil polity, has continued to gain favor as a branch of general education.

In several American Colleges, Professors of law have been appointed, and even, in some of our largest cities, popular lectures have been delivered to auditors of all professions.

The history of the law department attached to Yale College is very brief.

In pursuance of the scheme, devised during the Presidency of Doctor Dwight, of adding instructions in professional studies to academic pursuits, the Hon. Elizur Goodrich was appointed Professor of Law, in the year 1801.

Previous to his appointment, Mr. Goodrich had held several important public offices, which had gradually withdrawn him from practice at the bar. His private office did not therefore afford advantages important to Students, who were desirous to qualify themselves in the forms and minute details of professional business; and as the funds of College would not allow the Corporation to give an adequate salary to their Professor, his lectures embraced only a general outline of the theory of law. Indeed, it may well be doubted, whether a full course of law lectures can be profitably blended with classical pursuits, unless the time for Collegiate education is greatly extended.

Although the preparatory qualifications for admission have been, of late years, very considerably increased, yet branches of study, of a purely scien

tific character, and distinct from professional studies, have also multiplied, and are fully sufficient to occupy profitably the whole time of the Student.

If, according to Fortescue, "viginti annorum lucubrationes," are necessary, for an enlightened understanding of the laws of England, certainly, but a feeble foundation for such an arduous task can be laid, amidst the engrossing cares of elementary and classical pursuits.

Mr. Goodrich resigned his office in the year 1810, having honorably discharged the duties of his Professorship, although of necessity confined within very limited boundaries.

In the year 1826, the Hon. David Daggett, a Judge of the Superior Court of this state, and well known as an enlightened jurist, was appointed to the vacant chair. In addition to his public lectures, Judge Daggett established a private school of instruction, for those who were pursuing professional studies, with a view to admission as attorneys.

Samuel J. Hitchcock, Esq. Counsellor at Law, was associated with him in this latter branch, and the school has been for several years in a flourishing and vigorous condition.

The number of pupils will average about thirty. The terms of tuition and other particulars, with regard to the law School, are noticed in the appendix.