the ardor of the students themselves. Pro rapid as the student progresses in the partic ular subject and becomes accustomed to this fessor Ames, writing of the school ten years system of study. Furthermore, the particular ago, said : " Indeed, one speaks far within principles of law thus gained represent but a bounds in saying that the spirit of work and enthusiasm which now prevails at the school small part of the total acquisition while study ing the cases on one narrow subject. The is without parallel in the history of any de partment of the University." What was true courts, the judges, the pleadings, the prac tice, the arguments of counsel, have become then is at least equally true now. The stu real things. Again, though a case is selected dents live in an atmosphere of legal thought.
Their interest is at because it illus fever heat, and the trates one stage in impressions made the development of by their studies are a legal doctrine, as deep and lasting a dozen points not as is compatible directly connected with the quality with that doctrine of the individual may be involved or mind. suggested, and The testimony of these the student either solves for the value of this system of instruc himself or seeks tion which is fur to have explained. nished by the zeal The points thus in of the students is cidentally learned are impressed upon supplemented by the mind as they the actions of the never could be by professors. Each instructor at the mere reading or by lectures; for in school is entirely stead of being pre at liberty to choose sented as desic the method of in cated facts, they struction which most commends occur as an inte EMORY WASHBURN itself to his judg gral part of the drama of life, — of ment. Several of an actual lawsuit. Besides, the study of the professors declined for many years to the cases does not exclude the study of the adopt the system introduced by Professor treatises. The animated discussions in the Langdell. Slowly it won its way. Actual class-room induce the student to resort to experience overcame all doubts. Now that every means of fortifying himself, either for general method — varied of course in the his own instruction or in order to overthrow manner and extent of application, according his adversary in discussion, be it professor to the views of the different instructors — is or fellow-student. This leads the pupil to almost universally adopted at the school. See independent investigation; and the trea what Mr. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., tises which are always accessible are rarely of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachu neglected. setts, says of it : — There could be no stronger proof of the "But I am certain from my own experience that excellence of this system of instruction than Mr. Langdell is right; I am certain, when your
