Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 20.pdf/472

 THE EARLY VIRGINIA BAR

359

The fashion of that time" (speaking of the short history of the professional men of the early part of the nineteenth century) day, that these sporting gentlemen were in "increased this peril. An unbounded hos attentive to the interests of their clients. On pitality amongst the gentlemen of the the contrary, none were more zealous than country opened every door to the indul they in the arduous preparation and trial gence of convivial habits. The means of of their causes. I know of an instance, enjoyment were not more constantly present whereupon a certain lawyer, having been than the solicitations to use them. Every retained in a causeof some importance — dinner-party was a revel; every ordinary he a fox-hunting barrister, too, and his visit was a temptation. The gentlemen of library, though quite extensive, not con the bar especially indulged in a license of taining the decision in point — who, in some free living, which habitually approached the manner, had the case continued until he confines of excess and often overstepped could send to England for his authority, and them. The riding of the circuit, which upon this authority he won his case both in always brought several into company, and the lower and higher courts. the adventures of the wayside, gave to the Of course, it takes only a cursory glance bar a sportive and light-hearted tone of to convince us that the practice of the pro association which greatly fostered the oppor fession has greatly changed since the days tunity and the inclination for convivial of our brother, Wirt; our fox-hunting, sport pleasures. A day spent upon the road on ing and jovial attorneys of the past were horseback, the customary visits made to more red-blooded; there was more of the friends by the way, the jest and the song, poet in their compositions; they were more the unchecked vivacity inspired by this versed in the classics and the master-pieces grouping together of kindred spirits — all of fiction than we 'of to-day, which they had their share in imparting to the brother used by constantly referring to them in their hood that facility of temper and reckless arguments and conversations, rendering them ness of the more serious and sober comment full, round, rich and far more pleasing to the of the world. . . ." ear than ours of a more technical kind. Then the contests of the bar which fol These were men, every inch of them, filled lowed in the forum, the occasions they with the virtues, follies and vices of the times afforded for the display of wit and eloquence, in which they lived, but containing withal a and the congratulations of friends, were so nobleness of spirit and adherence to principle many additional provocatives to that indul in their grand old manner which is far gence which found free scope when evening beyond us of a more material age. brought all together under one roof, to There were few diversions beyond their rehearse their pleasant adventures, and to simple home lives and their daily communion set flowing the currents of mirth and good with their friends and acquaintances. And humor —-"to make a night of it, as the though the bar was within the reach of all, phrase is, kept merry by the stimulants of it was held in respectful esteem and often good cheer. . . ." times veneration by the populace. We need not think, however, from this ROANOKE, VA., June, 1908.