forced both in mental and material strength, arm the next morning, and take up their ground again. The opponents, now mustered in force, confront them, seated on the ground, each man with his arms at his side. The case is resumed by some advocate for the defendant requiring a restatement of the plaintiff's grounds of action. This is commenced perhaps by one who was not even present at the previous day's proceedings, but who has been selected for this more difficult stage on account of his debating abilities. Then comes the tug of war; the ground is disputed inch by inch; every assertion is contested, every proof attempted to be invalidated, objection meets objection, and question is opposed by counter-question, each disputant endeavoring with surprising adroitness to throw the burden of answering on his opponent. The Socratic method of debate appears in all its perfection, both parties being equally versed in it. The rival advocates warm as they proceed, sharpening each other's ardor, till from the passions that seem enlisted in the contest, a stranger might suppose the interests of the nation at stake and dependent upon the decision. When these combatants have spent their strength, or one or other of them is overcome in argument, others step to the rescue. The battle is fought over again on different ground, some point either of law or evidence that had been purposely kept in abeyance being now brought forward and perhaps the entire aspect of the case changed. The whole of the second day is frequently taken up with this intellectual gladiatorship, and it closes without any other result than an exhibition of the relative strength of the opposing parties. The plaintiff's company retire again, and the defendant and his friends review their own position. Should they feel that they have been worsted, and that the case is one that cannot be successfully defended, they prepare to attempt to bring the matter to a conclusion by an offer of the smallest satisfaction the law allows. This is usually refused, in expectation of an advance in the offer, which takes place generally in proportion to the defendant's anxiety to prevent an appeal (to the Chief). Should the plaintiff at length accede to the proposed terms they are fulfilled, and the case is ended by a formal declaration of acquiescence."
ADVICE TO A YOUNG LAWYER.
BE brief, be pointed; let your matter stand
Lucid in order, solid, and at hand;
Spend not your words on trifles, but condense;
Strike with the mass of thought, not drops of sense;
Press to the close with vigor, once begun,
And leave (how hard the task!)—leave off when done.
Who draws a labored length of reasoning out,
Puts straws in line for winds to whirl about;
Who drawls a tedious tale of learning o'er
Counts but the sands on ocean's boundless shore.
Victory in law is gained, as battles fought,
Not by the numbers, but the forces brought.
Lyrics of the Law
