Chap. X.]

PROFESSION OF THE LAW.

319

prospects for ever, and even history is to be shunned as warringagainst jurisprudence.*

This is a strong view taken in behalf of American, comparedwith British lawyers ; but Mr. Justice Story, of the SupremeCourt of the United States, anticipates a still higher characterfor future American lawyers, arising from the influence of ourinstitutions. “ The establishment of the National Government,”says he, “ and of Courts to exercise its constitutional jurisdic-tion, will, it is to be hoped, operate with a salutary influence.Dealing, as such courts must, in questions of a public nature ;such as concern the law of nations, and the general rights andduties of foreign nations ; such as respect the domestic relationsof the States with each other, and with the general government;such as treat of the great doctrines of prize and maritime law ;such as involve the discussion of grave constitutional powers andauthorities ; it is natural to expect, that these Courts will attractthe ambition of some of the ablest lawyers in the differentStates, with a view both to fame and fortune. And thus, per-haps, the foundations may be laid for a character of excellenceand professional ability, more various and exalted than has hith-erto belonged to any bar under the auspices of the common law;a character in which minute knowledge of local law will be com-bined with the most profound attainments in general jurispru-dence, and with that instructive eloquence, which never soars sohigh, or touches so potently, as when it grasps principles, whichfix the destiny of nations, or strike down to the very roots ofcivil polity.f

The advocate must guard against prostituting his talents andcharacter on the side of notorious wrong, — he must not rashlyexpose himself to the imputation of being rendered blind to enor-mities by the desire of gain, — he must not involve himself, byhaste and inadvertence, in transactions, without previous inquiryinto the circumstances attending them, — he must not lay himselfopen to the suspicion of engaging in a cause from motives ofpersonal pique and animosity to the adverse party, — without in-

* See the substance of this paragraph in “ The Southern Review,” for May1829, Art. 7, ascribed to the Hon. Samuel Prioleau of South Carolina.

t Address before the Suffolk Bar, in “ Miscellaneous Writings,” p. 426.