Page:William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England (3rd ed, 1768, vol I).djvu/50

34 at the concluion, or during the acquiition of thee accomplihments, he will afford himelf here a year or two's farther leiure, to lay the foundation of his future labours in a olid cientifical method, without thirting too early to attend that practice which it is impoible he hould rightly comprehend, he will afterwards proceed with the greatet eae, and will unfold the mot intricate points with an intuitive rapidity and clearnes.

not init upon uch motives as might be drawn from principles of oeconomy, and are applicable to particulars only: I reaon upon more general topics. And therefore to the qualities of the head, which I have jut enumerated, I cannot but add thoe of the heart; affectionate loyalty to the king, a zeal for liberty and the contitution, a ene of real honour, and well grounded principles of religion; as neceary to form a truly valuable Englih lawyer, a Hyde, a Hale, or a Talbot. And, whatever the ignorance of ome, or unkindnes of others, may have heretofore untruly uggeted, experience will warrant us to affirm, that thee endowments of loyalty and public pirit, of honour and religion, are no where to be found in more high perfection than in the two univerities of this kingdom.

I conclude, it may perhaps be expected, that I lay before you a hort and general account of the method I propoe to follow, in endeavouring to execute the trut you have been pleaed to repoe in my hands. And in thee olemn lectures, which are ordained to be read at the entrance of every term, (more perhaps to do public honour to this laudable intitution, than for the private intruction of individuals ) I preume it will bet anwer the intent of our benefactor and the expectation of this learned body, if I attempt to illutrate at times uch detached titles of the law, as are the mot eay to be undertood, and mot capable of hitorical or critical ornament. But in reading the complete coure, which is annually conigned to my care, a more regular method will be neceary; and, till a better is propoed, I hall