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gress of each individual learner; and that attached to this country, and possessing a writing can only serve after such oral in constant and unwearied interest in the pro struction has been imparted to revive it, if motion of legal education. It is due to forgotten in the memory both of the teacher these gentlemen to say that though most of and hearer who has been orally taught." 1 them were heavily burdened with profes Methods such as these were adopted, after sional avocations, they were unwearied in mature deliberation and some experience, their attention to this department. Several when the institution was organized. Valu of them were the more active members of able suggestions had been obtained from the a committee of the Trustees on the Law experience of Hon. Samuel J. Hitchcock, for School, and for many years personally at many years Law Professor in the Yale Law tended the final examinations of the mem School, a most accurate thinker and an ad bers of the graduating class. The attendance mirable Law Professor. Many men of legal of Mr. Ruggles was very remarkable. He eminence still living profited greatly by his was then far advanced in life, but full of the teachings. No student under his instruction I spirit and earnestness of youth. Nothing admired him more or looked more to his | could dampen his ardor; more than once, methods for suggestions than the first Pro while sick in bed and under the constant fessor in Columbia College Law School. attendance of a nurse, he sent for the writer Columbia College, at the time of the foun to make some suggestions which he thought dation of the Law School, was very fortunate of use to the Law School. On one occasion in its Trustees. There were several of them his physician interfered and forbade the visit, who took a keen and enlightened interest in but found that the prohibition increased his the Law School, and who did much to insure patient's restlessness to such an extent that its growth and prosperity by their wise and he permitted an interview, with the grav prudent counsels and by their zealous efforts est forebodings as to the result, though his in its behalf. Prominent among them were apprehensions were still graver if the inter the Hon. Hamilton Fish, afterwards the dis view was forbidden. After an hour's dis tinguished Secretary of State of the United cussion, in which Mr. Ruggles explained and States during the administration of General enforced his views and patiently listened to Grant; the Hon. Samuel B. Ruggles, a dis opposing considerations, he became tran tinguished citizen of the city of New York; quil, and soon beginning to mend, rapidly George T. Strong, Esq., a fine lawyer and a recovered. He was one of the few men that make real the vivid but slightly altered de man of high culture and varied accomplish ments. Mr. Justice Blatchford, now of the scription of Dryden : — Supreme Court of the United States, was from "A fiery soul, that, working out its way, the beginning and has been ever since a Trus Fretted the feeble body to decay, tee and a constant friend of the institution, And o'er-informed the tenement of clay." though his judicial duties have prevented Mr. Ruggles was a far-seeing man, of states him from taking the active part in its man agement attributable to the other gentlemen manlike views and of prophetic vision. His who have been named. Mr. Gouverneur M. eloquent and glowing predictions while in Ogden, long the Treasurer of the College, the State legislature at an early age of the gave much time and attention to this subject. future of the West, and of its great highway It would not be just to omit in this survey to the East, the Erie Canal, though at the the name of Marshal! S. Bidwell, a lawyer of time deemed visionary, were more than justi most extensive and varied legal training, fied in the event. The Law School owes educated by English methods, but extremely much to his untiring zeal, wise suggestions, and surpassing interest in its prosperity. 1 Grote's Plato, 1S3.