Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 04.pdf/404

 Student Life at the Inns of Court. bencher makes a short speech wishing them success. At the Middle Temple the new barristers, who dine in their wigs, etc., have the privilege of inviting their friends to a wine party in the hall after dinner. Between entrance at one of the Inns of Court and the final " call " a period of three years usually elapses. During this time the' student, when not engaged in study, may attend the lectures of the professors, or visit the law courts, or exercise his oratory at one of the legal debating-societies. He may, if he needs a little relaxation, play tennis in the gardens, or take martial exercise with his rifle-corps. This voluntary regiment is recruited solely by barristers and students for the bar; hence it is playfully nicknamed the "Devil's Own." Then there are the "common rooms" attached to each Inn, where newspapers may be read and smok ing indulged in, and where lunch and other

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refreshments may be obtained. Lastly, on Sundays, the student can repair to the church belonging to his Inn, and listen to a sermon by an able preacher. This slight sketch may conclude with a pleasing account of the Inns as they ap peared to Sir John Fortescue, writing in the reign of Henry VI. Sir John was ChiefJustice of the King's Bench, and it was in his work written in praise of the laws of England that the following occurs : " The students resorted thither in great numbers to be taught as in common schools. Here they learn to sing and exercise themselves in all kinds of harmony. On the working days they study law, and on the holy clays Scripture, and their demeanor is like the behavior of such as are coupled together in perfect amity. There is no place where are found so many students past childhood as here."

INNER TEMPLE HALL (INTERIOR).