Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 07.pdf/441

 404

peared in 189 1 and 1892. In 1878 the first also." The analytical arrangement of the edition of the fourth volume was published, work I have often heard commented upon its third edition in 1893 in two' parts. l as very repellent to lawyers not familiar with Owing to the exigencies of the class-room, Mr. Minor's method of teaching, but this is the third volume was delayed until after the its chief merit as a text-book for the student. publication of the fourth, appearing first in In other classes at the law-school of the an incomplete form, but it has now appeared University we used at the same time such in 1895, bound in two books as a "second standard works as Greenleaf on Evidence, edition, revised and corrected." The whole Smith's Mercantile Law, Adams' Equity, work covers nearly five thousand pages. Of Vattel's Eaw of Nations, etc., and though its value to the practitioner I can do no bet I would be the last to decry the merits of ter than quote Senator Daniel, himself an these great works, I must say, and every active practitioner and legal author. lie student of the University will agree with me, says: " It cannot be surpassed as a vade that as an aid to the student they are far mceum of the law. It is like a statue — inferior to Minor's Institutes. This perhaps solid, compact, clear cut. Jefferson lamented appears undue partiality, but nevertheless 1 that Matthew Bacon adopted the alphabeti cannot modify the statement an iota. The cal, or dictionary system, in his abridgement. book was written for students and is the re How a scientif1c mind like his would have sult of fifty years' experience as a professor delighted in a scientific work like this! of law, and upon its value as a text-book Adopting the system of analysis which was for students I think it must rest its chief delineated by Hale and amplified by Black- claim for immortality. stone, he built upon it those expositions of I would like to say something of Mr. common law principles, and statutory altera Minor's personal charm, of his family life tions, which reveal the law to the mind's eye and the respect and affection borne for him as a topographical map of a country cast in by all who knew him, but this article has bas-relief. It has been said of Francis already exceeded the space allowed it by Bacon's Essays, that of all compositions they The Green Bag, and I can only refer to contained the most matter in the fewest the resolutions of the numerous bar associa words. Minor's Institutes contain more law tions, of the faculty and visitors of the Uni in fewer words that any work with which I versity, and to the cloud of testimonials am acquainted. The Roman Forum had an which have appeared in the periodicals and empty place lacking Cato's figure; and a newspaper since his death, bearing witness lawyer's library without this work has one to the regard in which he was held.