16 CLINTON'S 



and undivided effort in favour of enlarging the dominion of knowledge, 

 have hitherto been called away from this opus bassilicum, this sublime 

 operation, by the prevalence of intestine feuds and animosities. It is 

 unnecessary to explore the cause ; perhaps it is inherent in the profes- 

 sion. The sources of most diseases are concealed from observation, 

 and can only be the subject of conjecture. Add to this, that the same 

 prescription which has succeeded in one case, may fail in another ; 

 owing to different constitutions, different seasons, and the action of other 

 causes. "The matter is evident," says the profound Buffier, "from 

 the different arguments of physicians, and from their various opinions in 

 the daily consultations. Nothing is more uncommon than to find physi- 

 cians united in the same sentiments."* This constant and habitual 

 tendency to collision has been serioiisly felt in this city. Instead of 

 erecting one grand temple dedicated to the healing art we have had, at 

 one time, three different seminaries in operation for medical instruc- 

 tion. 



Thirdly ; there have been great inertness and backwardness on the part 

 of the legal profession, to encourage general literature. After the forms 

 -of a preliminary education are passed, the lawyer is too apt to devote 

 himself exclusively to the learning of his profession : and, as many of out 

 lawgivers and statesmen are derived from this source, we cannot but per- 

 ceive and regret this dearth of general knowledge in our legislatures as 

 well as in our forums. How seldom do we hear those classical allusions, 

 diose literary references, which enliven the tedium of abstract discussion ; 

 and illustrate, with streams of light, the darkest topics of investigation! 

 and this defect is exhibited in many of our state papers ; which resemble 

 more the technical discussions of the advocate, than the luminous pro- 

 ductions of the diplomatist. The greatest intellectual luminary that ever 

 rose in a benighted world was Francis Bacon, a lawyer by profession, 

 His rival and antagonist at the bar was Coke. They were both eminent 

 in their profession ; and attained its highest honours, and most lucrative 

 emoluments.. Bacon became a lord-high-chancellor, and Coke a chief- 

 justice. The former had ascended the empyreal heights of literature ; 

 the latter had plunged into the learning of norman lawyers, and had be- 

 eome the oracle of the common law. The works of Bacon are referred 

 to as the oracles of truth and knowledge, and as the revelation of genuine 

 philosophy; while the black letter learning of Coke is an eleusinian 

 mystery to all out of the pale of the profession. The difference between 

 a mere lawyer great in his profession alone, and a great lawyer eminent in 

 literature and science, can never be more forcibly illustrated than in the 

 'jatellectual exhibitions of these celebrated men. Bacon enlivened, en- 



Treatise on First Truths, .p. 



