Clinton's introductory discourse. 41 



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

 three different seminaries in operation for medical instruction. 



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 our lawgivers and statesmen are derived from this source, we 

 cannot but perceive and regret this dearth of general knowledge in our 

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

 classical allusions, those 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 productions of the diplomatist. The greatest intel- 

 lectual 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 become 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 profes- 

 sion alone, and a great lawyer eminent in literature and science, can 

 never be more forcibly illustrated than in the intellectual exhibitions of 

 these celebrated men. Bacon enlivened, enriched, and embellished 

 every subject upon which he wrote: even flowers sprung up under 

 his feet in his journey through the thorny paths of legal investigation; 



8 



