The Preliminary Examination Journal AND STUDENT'S LITERARY MAGAZINE. CHAPTER I. EXAMINATION NOTICES. Preliminary Examination for Solicitors. PURSUANT to the Judges' orders, the next Preliminary Examination in General Knowledge will take place on Wednesday the 16th, and Thursday the 17th of July, 1873. In addition to the ordinary subjects (including an elementary knowledge of Latin), the Special Examiners have selected the following books in which candidates will be examined : In LATIN. . Livy, Book X.; or, Terence, Andria. In MODERN GREEK In GERMAN. IN SPANISH In ITALIAN Sophocles, Antigone. Βεντοτῆς Ἱστορία τῆς ̓Αμερικής βιβλίον ζ. Emile de Bonnechose, Bertrand du Guésclin; or, Cervantes, Don Quixote, cap. xv. to xxx. both in- Manzoni's I Promessi Sposi, cap. I. to VIII. both inclusive; or, Tasso's Gerusalemme, 4, 5 and 6 cantos; and Volpe's Eton Italian Grammar. Each candidate will be examined in one language only, according to his selection. Candidates will have the choice of either of the abovementioned works. Candidates are required by the Judges' orders to give one calendar month's notice to the Society (at the Law Institution, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.), before the day appointed for Examination, of the language in which they propose to be examined, the place at which they wish to be examined, and their age and place of education. which letters himself for Examination at of aged who was educated days of next to present previous to entering into Articles of will reach the Clerkship, and that he proposes to be Examined in the Language. Applicant must be inserted in the notice. Dated the day of 187 [Signature of Candidate.] HH Intermediate Examination, under 23 & 24 Vict. c. 127, s. 9. The elementary works, in addition to book-keeping (mercantile), selected for the Intermediate Examination of persons under Articles of Clerkship executed after the 1st of January, 1861, for the year 1873, are— Chitty on Contracts, chapters 1 and 3, with the exception, in chapter 3, of section 1, relating to Contracts respecting Real Property. 8th or 9th edition. Williams on the Principles of the Law of Real Property. 8th or 9th edition. J. W. Smith's Manual of Equity Jurisprudence. 9th or 10th edition. MERCANTILE BOOK-KEEPING.-The Examiners deal with this subject generally, and do not in their questions confine themselves to any particular system. Candidates are required by the Judges' orders to give to the Incorporated Law Society one calendar month's notice before the commencement of the Term in which they desire to be examined. Candidates are also required to leave their Articles of Clerkship and Assignments (if any), duly stamped and registered, seven clear days before the commencement of such Term, together with answers to the questions as to due service and conduct up to that time. Candidates may be examined either in the term in which one half of their term of service will expire, or in one of the two terms next before, or one of the two terms next after one half of the term of service under their articles. The Examinations are held in the Hall of the Incorporated Law Society, Chancery Lane, London, in Hilary, Easter, Trinity and Michaelmas Terms. FORM OF NOTICE. Notice is hereby given, that A. B., of who is now under Articles of Clerkship to C. D., of [or, who has served under Articles of Clerkship to C. D., and is now serving under an Assignment of such Articles of Clerkship to E. F., or, as the case may be], intends to apply in Term next for Intermediate Examination. Dated the Candidates are usually examined in Common and Statute Law, and Practice of the Courts. Criminal Law, and Proceedings before Magistrates optional. S Candidates are required to give notice of their intention to present themselves for examination in the term previous to that in which they wish to be examined. Preliminary Examination of the Royal College of Surgeons. The next Preliminary Examination for the diplomas of MEMBER and FELLOW of this College will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the 17th, 18th and 19th of June, 1873. Candidates desirous of presenting themselves for this Examination must signify their intention of so doing to the secretary (at the College of Surgeons, Lincoln's Inn Fields) on or before the 20th of May next. The Compulsory subjects are the same as in the legal "Preliminary," except that no candidate will be passed who does not show a competent knowledge of the first four rules, simple and compound, of vulgar fractions and of decimals; and the mathematics include Euclid, Books I. and II. or the subjects thereof, and algebra to simple equations inclusive. Candidates will also be required to translate a passage from the second book of Cæsar's Commentaries, "De Bello Gallico." Papers will also be set on the following six subjects; and each candidate will be required to offer himself for Examination on one subject at least, at his option; but no candidate will be allowed to offer himself for Examination on more than four subjects: 1. Translation of a passage from the first Book of the Anabasis of 2. Translation of a passage from X. B. Saintine's "Picciola." Besides these translations into English, the candidate will be required to answer questions on the grammar of each subject, whether compulsory or optional. 4. Mechanics. The questions will be chiefly of an elementary character. 5. Chemistry. The questions will be on the elementary facts of chemistry. 6. Botany and Zoology. The questions will be on the classification. of plants and animals. The quality of the handwriting and the spelling will be taken into account. A candidate in order to qualify himself for the Fellowship is required, in addition to the ordinary subjects, to pass in Greek, French or German, and in one, at his option, of the remaining subjects in Part II. Preliminary Examination for the Bar. The Preliminary Examinations for the Bar are usually held every Saturday during each legal term, and once in the week next preceding each legal term. By the Consolidated Regulations of the Four Inns of Court, it is provided that no Examiner shall attend unless two clear days' notice prior to the day appointed for his attendance shall have been given to the secretary of the Board of Examiners, by at least one candidate, of an intention to present himself on that day for Examination. The subjects of Examination are- (a) The English language; (b) The Latin language; and (c) English history. No Latin works are named by the Examiners in which candidates will be examined-hence it is necessary that they should be tolerably well acquainted with the Latin language. Candidates are, however, usually required to translate passages from the works of Sallust, Cicero, Virgil, Horace, &c. CHAPTER II. LADIES AS LAWYERS. We do not refer to this fanciful subject because we apprehend that the ladies will ever gain the privileges which they seek, but simply with the view of endorsing the opinions of all right-thinking people. We feel convinced that no rational person would contend that ladies ought to be admitted to the study of the law, though we understand that several of the fair sex have been demanding this right. It is indeed a great pity that some of our most influential Journals recognize, and consequently advocate, the claims of the ladies; for if they would only consider the matter, they would see that ladies are unfit to be on an equality with men. We believe that no lady, fully conscious of her powers and destined position in this life, would wish to pursue a "masculine" vocation. It is undoubtedly true, that there are many ladies who possess indomitable perseverance and hardy constitutions which make them akin to men, but we cannot make changes to suit such individuals; indeed, females of such vigorous nature are, in our humble estimation, foreign to their sex. 66 We certainly do not wish it to be understood that we think ladies ought not to be admitted to the study of the law because they do not possess sufficient abilities. What we contend is, that they were never destined to be on an equality with men. From the dark ages until the present time, the fair sex have been perfectly satisfied to hold a subordinate position to men; and this is, it appears to us, a very strong argument against the rights which they now claim. We are not alone in our opinion; indeed, the Times," in concluding its remarks on the late Mr. J. S. Mill, said, "of late Mill has not come before the world with advantage. When he appeared in public it was to advocate the fanciful rights of women." When such great men as Mill lend their assistance to weak causes, they assume an important aspect; indeed, we have every reason to receive the opinions of even men of eminence and position with great caution, since they are quite capable of believing almost any argument. They may, however, be actuated by motives which it would be difficult to fathom. We are glad to find that the members of the Royal Family do not recognize the claims of the ladies. We understand that the Marquis of Lorne voted against Mr. Jacob Bright's Bill the other day, and it is said that he was strongly supported by the opinion of the Princess Louise. It is further asserted that the Marquis's opposition to the movement is so strong, that when asked to take the chair at the approaching meeting for the Society for Improving the Education of Women, he refused to do so unless Mrs. Grey promised that ladies should not speak. We are not informed whether Mrs. Grey gave way. However, while fully realizing the feeling entertained by the Marquis, we think he has gone a little too far; for the education of women can best be carried out by women-hence their opinion must be quite as valuable as that of any man. He no doubt thinks it is unbecoming and simply revolting to common sense for women to stand up and gesticulate! In this respect we are inclined to agree with him. Ladies, as a rule, are not very ambitious; and if there is one out of every thousand of those who are educated who claims the privilege of being admitted to the study of the law, it is a convincing argument that the majority are perfectly satisfied with their present position in society. No doubt many ladies possess rare intellectual gifts, and this is conclusively proved by the large number of lady writers who, week after week, send gladness to every head and heart. The ladies have just cause to be proud of such women as Mrs. Hemans, Mrs. Somerville, the late Countess of Blessington, and many others whom we could mention; though, having conscientiously admitted thus much, we are certain we shall not offend them by remarking that no woman has ever attained the eminence of our greatest writers, poets and musicians. This, however, is no reason why they should be denied the privileges which they demand, but it tends to show that women, from their very nature, are not suited to perform the more lofty duties of this life. On the other hand, there is ample opportunity for ladies to give effect to their talent. They may patronize literature and art to the fullest extent. They may sing, play the piano or the harp, paint the picturesque landscape, and the like. By the way, we believe that most ladies like music in the true sense of the word, but this is not always the case with gentlemen,-not that we dislike music, but such is our opinion. Here, again, it is evident that women were destined to pursue lighter and more abstract subjects, and surely they will not chide us for assigning to them studies which are second to none in creation. No man dislikes a woman of intellectual gifts-a woman who, when occasion requires, can hold a conversation on any reasonable subject-but we have an utter contempt for what are called "blue-stockings," viz. those who are constantly trying to introduce extracts from dry subjects which they have studied more for the purpose of airing their knowledge than for any legitimate purpose. In admitting ladies to the legal profession, either as solicitors or barristers, there are many points to be considered. Take them as barristers. Do we not know how the hearts of the most sober judges are touched when a member of the fair sex appears in the witness box? Then, by the same principle, the fascinating young lady barristers might secure all the best briefs. We are not certain, however, that such would be the case. It might then be argued that there ought to be female judges and female juries; but are they to try causes in which only the fair sex are interested? The whole thing is so ludicrous, that the less we say the better. There is a very true saying, "some persons don't know what they don't know;" and those ladies who advocate the rights of the fair sex no doubt entertain a very high opinion of their own capabilities, and naturally, though unfortunately, view their rights through a very powerful lens. The ladies, however, seem to have made their way in the medical world. There are, perhaps, some cogent reasons for this; yet many of our most eminent worshippers of Esculapius-men who by means of their high status are able to speak with disinterestedness-discountenance the claims of women. Sir W. Gull says, "He should feel quite certain that no greater hurt could accrue to humanity than from placing women in a false position with respect to physic. He believed that it would cause the decay of the healing art at once, and spoil the scientific basis of the profession." We have not heard that the ladies contemplate forcing their way into the Church, at least not in the strict sense. Doubtless the duties of a clergyman are more suited to the fair sex, but probably few persons would thank us for making this proposal as a means of diverting their attention from the law. We need only refer to the writings of some of our greatest lawgivers |