Page:The Legal Observer, Or Journal of Jurisprudence, Volume 1, 1831.pdf/12



have now the pleasure of presenting our First Volume to the Profession and to the Public; and we are happy in the opportunity of expressing our sense of the manner in which the has been received.

It was indeed surprising, that, among the many publications representing, or professing to represent, the different interests of the community, there should be no one which expressed the feelings and advocated the interests of the profession of the law. We have attempted to supply the deficiency. Our professional brethren of all classes, and on all sides, have come forward to support us, and we have thus been able to pursue our design with success.

We reflect on this with the greater satisfaction, because, although many other legal periodicals have been commenced, none has ever met with the same good fortune as ourselves. They have usually lingered on some few months, and have then been, to use the language of an eloquent judge, “entombed in the urns and sepulchres of mortality.” The plain reason of this want of success appears to be this;– they have been devoted exclusively either to speculative opinions, forming a mere bundle of essays, emanating only from one branch of the profession; or have been filled with dry details and lists.

It has been our pride to bring forth a work which should be useful alike to the practical as to the speculative man; which should represent no section of the profession, no exclusive opinions. We saw that it was impossible to supply the demand without uniting all the services which each of its branches could afford. It is on this broad ground that we have taken our stand; and we now look back upon our labours with increasing pleasure. We have presented a varied page. The speculations of the jurist—the details of the lawyer — the bold discussion of legislative measures affecting the law — the experience of age—the vivacity of youth—have all lent their aid to render our work useful and interesting. We confess an honest pride in our chosen band of supporters; each in his place to assist us; each filling the department allotted to him with advantage. It has been our glory to demand and receive their united assistance—
 * “ firm to retain Their gather'd beams.”

Nor do we despair of being able to continue the quotation —
 * “Hither, as to their fountain, other stars
 * Repairing, in their golden urns draw light.”