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248 In addition to the regular courses there are two special courses arranged, the first of which occupies one year, and is a selection of those studies of the regular course which deal with commercial relations rather than with technical legal science. The second of the special courses occupies two years, and includes the more abstract studies combined with some of the studies of what is termed the Political Science Course of the University, of which a word will be said later. This special course is not intended as a preparation for practical professional or business life, but to give a better understanding of politics and government; and upon its completion the student may apply for the degree of Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) These courses are elastic, capable of variation according to the preferences of the student subject to the approval of the Faculty.

Within a few years a new course of lectures and reading has been arranged by the University authorities for graduate students, known as the course of Political and Social Science. It covers two years, and is conducted by such eminent men as Professors William G. Sumner, William H. Brewer, and Arthur T. Hadley, with the assistance of other younger lecturers, all of them enthusiastic students in that department of science. The topics and reading required are such as commend themselves to a law student, especially if he has any inclination toward public life, or an active interest in politics. Some of the lectures, as can be seen by the curriculum, are included in the graduate courses of the Law School; but whether falling within the requirements of his course or not, the student may very profitably select a portion of that course, and pursue it in connection with his legal studies.

EDWARD J. PHELPS.

An attempt was made about the year 1840 to organize a class for advanced studies in Jurisprudence: but although a course of lectures was prepared, the experiment failed because a class of twenty could not be formed. But the present graduate department of the Law School is not an experiment; it was organized in 1876, and its establishment and conduct are one of the notable accomplishments of the present management. Among those who have thus far studied in it are graduates of twelve different law schools; and four of them have since become Professors of Law.

There are two of these regular courses of graduate instruction, of which the outline may be seen in the curriculum already given. The first of them is open to any one who has taken the degree of LL.B. at this or another Law School, and after a year's course the student may apply for the degree of Master of Laws (M.L.). The topics are chosen for their general interest and as an introduction to the higher grades of practice, although it is likely that the average student, looking at its more practical features, would choose the course because it deals largely with practice in the United States Courts, and subjects of which those courts have