The Forum (Volume 2 ) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1856. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII. GOOD FELLOWSHIP OF THE BAR. A More united, liberal, and harmonious body of men, than those who compose the legal profession--in which we embrace judges, as well as barristers--has never been known. We speak, of course, of those who legitimately belong to the bar, and who are attached to the law as a science, and not as a trade; who, in short, form, as it were, the forensic family. During nearly half a century of general and diversified experience, at home and abroad, we have no recollection of any serious or irreconcilable difference--to say nothing of hostilities--at the bar. When it is considered that there are more than twenty thousand lawyers in the United States--that they represent different and opposite interests--that they are educated in different schools--are of different temperaments--different breeding, and different passions, it is truly remarkable, if not wonderful, that the relations among them should be so invariably amicable, and we may say, cordial. This is, perhaps, more than can be truly said of any other equally extensive body of scientific or literary men. The medical faculty present the very reverse of this picture. Their bickerings, jealousies, and hostilities, have become proverbial, and are acknowledged even among themselves; and we have heard it not unaptly said, that they have rarely been known to shake hands together, except in consultation. And it is far from certain--we say it with regret--that even the members of our holy religion agree half so well, or seem to appreciate each other half so generously and highly, as the disciples of jurisprudence. Before we proceed to inquire what is the reason of this unity among the members of the bar, let us ascertain to what the want of it is to be attributed, among the sister sci...