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who would barter the wisdom of ages for the experiments and vagaries of projectors.

Honour then is due to the memory of those, who had the wisdom to consecrate to justice, in this country, a temple which had stood the shock of ages, and received successive improvements from the hands of skilful artists, instead of trusting to the fancy of inexperienced projectors, to erect a new one upon its ruins.

I hope I have not been tedious in this development of the principles, and eulogy of the merits of the common law.

To an audience composed of the present guardians of our country's hope, and of those who are to be its future pride and honour, I thought the subject a suitable one; especially as it is intimately connected with the object of the institution, which has been this day put into operation.

With a brief exposition of the plan, which, after some hesitation, I have adopted for my course of lectures, I shall relieve your attention.

It is obvious, that in the short course of lectures, of which the present state of the institution will admit nothing like a law education can be attempted; and indeed, I am satisfied, after reflection upon the subject, that such an attempt, if practicable, would not be useful for undergraduates, who cannot devote the time necessary for any tolerable proficiency, without too great an abstraction from other studies, most of which are essential prerequisites to the study of the law.

At some future time, perhaps, a school for the instruction of resident graduates in jurisprudence may be usefully ingrafted on this professorship; and there is no doubt, that when that shall happen, one or two years devoted to study only, under a capable instructor, before they shall enter into the office of a counsellor, to obtain a knowledge of practice, will tend greatly to improve the character of the bar of our state. A respectable institution of this sort in a neighbouring state, unconnected with any publick seminary, has been found highly advantageous in the education of young gentlemen to the law.

Probably the superiour means which might be enjoyed here under the patronage of the University, would render it unnecessary to seek those opportunities of knowledge in Vol. III. No. 7.

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another state, which it is thought cannot, at present, be found at home.

The constant engagement of the most eminent counsellors in indispensable business, renders it difficult for them to devote that portion of their time to instruction, which would seem to be necessary for a science, which is intricate and abstruse to inexperienced minds.

Some improvement, therefore, in professional education, seems to be wanting; and, perhaps it can in no better way be obtained, than by establishing a school here under the protection of the University, as preparatory to that acquisition of practical knowledge of business, which may always be better learnt in the office of a distinguished counsellor.

Under a strong conviction, that the minds of the young men to whom my lectures are to be principally addressed, are not in a proper state to receive any benefit from an immediate introduction to an acquaintance with legal forms, practice, or even detailed principles of jurisprudence; and that if this were attempted, the number of lectures which are expected in the present. state of the professorship, would be but a skeleton or synopsis of the necessary course of study, I have concluded to adapt my course to circumstances, and to treat of such general subjects as may come within the most comprehensive definition of the science, which I have engaged to instruct. I have not forgotten too, that probably one half of my stated audience will be composed of young men, who are not destined to the profession of the law, and yet will be desirous of acquiring some general knowledge of the principles of civil polity, of jurisprudence, and of the machinery of Courts of Justice.

The general principles therefore of our system of Justice, and of civil government; the history of our jurisprudence and its changes, from the first settlement of the country to the present time; an account of the several codes which are used and practised in our Courts of Justice, and constitute our Common Law; all important departures from this system, whether occasioned by long usage or statutable provisions; the principles and practical operation of the constitutions of the United States and of this Commonwealth; the nature and extent of judiciary power; the organization of our Courts of Justice; the character and office of Judge and Jury; the domestick relations of civil society,

with a brief history of the titles to real estate in this country, will form the chief subject of my lectures, during the present season. These too must be imperfect, because of the little time I have been able to withdraw from other indispensable engagements, since I received notice of this appointment.

Indeed, I should have asked for more time before my publick instruction commenced, had I not thought that the present senior class was entitled to the best efforts, which, under existing circumstances, I could make. I shall trust to publick candour for my first attempts to carry into effect the designs of this professorship, and to my future industry, to improve, alter, and enlarge the several treatises, and perhaps substitute others, for some which may not have been well chosen, or well executed, according to my future judgment, and the advice I may from time to time receive, from those who feel an interest in the honour of the University, and the welfare of the students.

SIR,

FOR THE NORTH-AMERICAN JOURNAL.

I have reflected for some time on a subject of considerable interest, and I will cheerfully condense the result of these reflections, for your Journal, if it would accord with your views. I could perhaps do this most conveniently in the form of a memoir, on the Antiquity of the United States. It is an opinion very generally received, that this nation is a very youthful one; but I am induced to believe, that it is, on the contrary, one of the most ancient nations on the globe. As it will require considerable labour to concentrate the proofs of this position, which have occurred in my investigations, I should first wish to know, if such a paper would be acceptable; if it be agreeable to you, I will prepare it for some future number.

To the Editor.

[We shall be glad to receive the paper mentioned by our correspondent, though we cannot give an absolute pledge to insert it beforehand. We can however have very little doubt, that the learning, which must be requisite in a research of this nature, will form a valuable article for this Journal, though it may be too dry for a part of its readers.]

SIR,

FOR THE NORTH-AMERICAN JOURNAL.

I have lately received, from a friend in Italy, the following relation of the landing of Murat in Calabria. An account of this event has appeared in the newspapers; but there are many particulars in the inclosed paper, that give a lively impression of the catastrophe which terminated the career of the ex-king of Naples. Murat, like Ney, furnishes an instance, that great military talents may exist, in connexion with the greatest want of discretion, character and consistency, in political affairs. The details of this transaction will not diminish the reputation of the Calabrians, for being one of the most fanatical and ferocious people in Europe.

To the Editor.

C.

Account of the landing and arrest of Joachim Murat with his suite, at Pirzo in Calabria.

On the 8th October, 1815, there appeared on this coast a coasting vessel and a row-boat, under French colours, about a gun-shot from the usual landing place for boats. They were no sooner seen on shore, than there disembarked about thirty persons, who immediately began shouting, “Long live King Joachim, long live King Murat." The news of these shouts on the beach, having shortly reached the town, the people were astonished, and would not believe it. However, Murat quickly arrived at the Maria gate, near the entrance of a large square in the town, with his followers. Murat himself then cried out, "Long live King Joachim, long live King Murat," and all his suite joined him in those exclamations. He then advanced to a place where a guard of Legionaries (Militia) was mounted, and on his approach addressed them thus, "My brave Legionaries ;" while his suite recommenced their shouts of Long live King Joachim, but not one of the town repeated the same. They remained surprized and frightened, not knowing what to make of this their unexpected appearance. Murat not finding himself seconded, turned to Gen. Franceschi and said, "There are none but Brigands here, let us proceed to Monteleone," and speaking to the Legionaries

said, "Follow me," but they did not obey him. He immediately pushed on for Monteleone. In the mean while, the people terrified, began to retire to their houses, and shut up their shops. But about a quarter of an hour after, they resolved to follow and arrest him, and shortly coming up with him and his suite, began and kept up a continual fire of musketry. Murat and suite then finding they could not get to Monteleone, determined to return to the beach where they had disembarked, but in such confusion and consternation, they nearly broke their necks in their retreat. They were closely followed by the people, constantly firing up on them. Murat was the first to reach the place. of his landing, but for his misfortune, he neither found the vessel or the boat, they having hauled off on hearing the first firing. He however found a small boat, got in, and endeavoured to put off amidst the shots which were poured on him, but did not succeed. Seeing, at length, one of his Captains fall dead, he lost courage, and several of the populace having got possession of the boat, they dragged him on shore, abusing him as one of the most infamous malefactors. In this manner they arrested him and his suite, who were almost all wounded, either from the muskets or by the sabre. Murat was unhurt; not that he did not defend himself with great bravery, pistol in hand. It would have excited compassion in any feeling person, to see him and his companions. covered with blood, suffering from the abuse and cruelty of the enraged populace. They maltreated Murat particularly, by spitting, and giving him blows in the face, slaps on the cheeks, stripping off his epaulettes and cross, tearing his uniform, striking him in the face with his hat, from which they took fifteen diamonds of great value. One fellow had the impudence to slap him with one of his own shoes; another actually tore away his mustaches, and wrapt them in some paper as a trophy. All the others were treated nearly in the same manner, except one officer who was not wounded. The pen cannot express the treatment they met with on their way to the prison. The women crying out against Murat, "Vengeance, kill him, murder him." To relate the whole would fill a volume. At length they were brought to the gaol, wounded and exhausted. The people would have them confined in a small and offensive room, but Murat made some resistance, and refused to go

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