EXAMINATION EXPERIENCES.

INTERMEDIATE EXAMINATIONS.

SIR,-I was articled in 1861, and have taken the "Examination Chronicle" from its commencement; but nothing in it interested me so much as the "Experiences" of candidates who had passed their examinations, and, more especially, their intermediate examinations.

Having procured a list of this year's books, I determined to present myself for examination in Michaelmas Term, 1863. I began work by reading Haynes's "Equity," and, as I went through it, I framed a set of questions for self-examination. I then read Smith's "Action at law," after finishing which I took up Stephen's "Commentaries," and went through Books I. and II. with another articled clerk. We read together about three hours every morning, and, after a few days, tested our memories by questioning each other, making use of the published "Questions on Stephen's Commentaries." I met with a little book (price 2s. 6d.) entitled "An Analysis of Blackstone on Real Property," which I can recommend, as in it the first volume of Stephen is admirably condensed. From June until the middle of October, I read by myself, going through Haynes and Smith's "Action" a second time. In the middle of October a brother articled clerk, who was a candidate for the same examination as myself, began to read with me. We went through Haynes (reading the cases referred to), and Smith's "Action," and then the more important chapters in Part I. of Book II. of Stephen, and all of Part II., in all cases, however, proving ourselves by the "Questions." I may here give a Form of Notice of Examination, as it may prove useful to others :

"INTERMEDIATE EXAMINATION.

"Notice is hereby given that A. B., of X., who is now under articles of clerkship, bearing date the

186

, to C. D., of Z., intends to apply in

day of

Term next, for Intermediate Examination, pursuant to the Act 23 & 24 Vict., cap. 127, sec. 9.

"Dated the

day of

The examination was fixed for November 12th, on which day J, with about 140 fellow-sufferers, presented myself at the hall of the Incorporated Law Society. We sat two at each table, and at ten o'clock the Questions were distributed. I spent the first half hour in reading my Questions, making pencil memoranda on my paper as I did so. No scribbling paper being allowed, candidates had

VOL. IV.

better consider their Questions well before committing them to paper. The Answers should be concise, and, if possible, supported by a reference to authority.

And now for a few words about the Book-keeping, which seems the great bugbear. I read several books on the subject, and those which I found most useful were

1. "Elements of Book-keeping," by A. K. Isbister, M.A. (price 9d). Published by Messrs. Longman and Co.

2. "Knox's Book-keeping." Published by T. Nelson and Sons. 3. "Book-keeping by Single Entry," by W. Inglis. Published by W. and R. Chambers, Edinburgh.

I give the preference to Knox's book, as it is very well written, and gives the theory and practice of book-keeping, as well as questions and exercises.

Another subject to which I would direct attention is "Moot Point Correspondence." In January, 1862, I joined the "Law Students' Mutual Corresponding Society," and derived a considerable benefit from studying the Moot Points and working out the Answers. I can confidently recommend the "Law Students' Mutual Corresponding Society" to my brother articled clerks; the Hon. Sec. is C. R. Gilman, Esq., solicitor, Norwich, who will forward a copy of the Rules, &c., on application.

I think this is all I can say, except that about a week after the Examination, I was informed, by letter, that I was

"ONE WHO HAD PASSED."

RESULTS OF EXAMINATIONS.

Michaelmas Term, 1863.

FINAL EXAMINATION.

Ar the Examination of Candidates for admission (in Michaelmas Term, 1863), the Examiners recommended the following gentlemen, under the age of 26, as being entitled to honorary distinction :—

Ponting, Thomas, aged 22, who served his clerkship to Messrs. Andrews and Canham, of Sudbury; Messrs. Gosling and Girdlestone, of London and Messrs. Loftus and Young, of London.

Crowther, Alfred Hallworth, aged 23, who served his clerkship to Mr. Newenham Charles Wright, of London; and Messrs. Chauntler and Crouch, of London.

Bolton, John, aged 25, who served his clerkship to Mr. Richard Wilson, of Kendal; and Messrs. Allen, Nicol, and Allen, of London.

Burkinshaw, John, aged 23, who served his clerkship to Mr. William Daniel Gaches, of Peterborough; Mr. Frederic Barlow, of Cambridge; and Messrs. Sharp and Parker, of London.

Charnley, William Mawdsley, aged 22, who served his clerkship to Mr. William Charnley, of Preston; and Messrs. Gregory and Rowcliffes, of London.

The Council of the Incorporated Law Society accordingly awarded the following prizes of books :

To Mr. Ponting, the prize of the Honourable Society of Clifford'sInn.

To Mr. Crowther, the prize of the Honourable Society of Clement'sInn.

To Mr. Bolton, one of the prizes of the Incorporated Law Society. To Mr. Burkinshaw, one of the prizes of the Incorporated Law Society.

To Mr. Charnley, one of the prizes of the Incorporated Law Society.

The Examiners also certified that the following Candidates, whose names are placed in alphabetical order, passed examinations which entitle them to commendation ::

Braithwaite, Richard Hale, aged 23, who served his clerkship to Messrs. Rawson and Best, of Leeds; and Messrs. Bell, Brodrick, and Bell, of London.

Creed, William, aged 21, who served his clerkship to Messrs. Francis and Baker, of Newton Bushel, Devon; and Messrs. Church and Sons, of London.

Dickson, Samuel Johnson Roberts, aged 22, who served his clerkship to Mr. Samuel Johnson Roberts, of Chester.

Evans, William Johnson, aged 22, who served his clerkship to Mr. Hasell Rodwell, of Ipswich; and Messrs. Aldridge and Bromley, of London.

Jackaman, Henry Mason, aged 23, who served his clerkship to Messrs. Jackaman and Son, of Ipswich; and Messrs. Aldridge and Bromley, of London.

McDiarmid, Jabez, aged 23, who served his clerkship to Messrs. Ingle and Gooddy, of London.

Maddock, Francis Thornhill, aged 21, who served his clerkship to Messrs. J. and E. Whitley and Thomson, of Liverpool.

Powell, George Thompson, aged 24, who served his clerkship to Messrs. Powell, Thompson, and Groom, of London.

The Council have accordingly awarded them certificates of merit.

The Examiners further announced to the following candidates, whose names are placed in alphabetical order, that their answers to

the questions at their examination were highly satisfactory, and would have entitled them to prizes or certificates of merit if they had been under the age of 26 :

Goodwin, William Henry, aged 37, who served his clerkship to Messrs. Longueville, Williams, and Jones, of Oswestry.

Hornby, David, B.A., aged 30, who served his clerkship to Messrs. Conyers and Jennings, of Driffield, Yorkshire.

Thornburn, William, aged 37, who served his clerkship to Mr. Joseph Hayton, of Cockermouth; and Messrs. Ingle and Gooddy, of London.

Wingate, Thomas, aged 52, who served his clerkship to Messrs. Van Sandau and Cumming, of London.

The number of candidates examined in Michaelmas Term, 1863, at the Final Examination, was 120; of these, 112 were passed, and 8 were postponed.

INTERMEDIATE EXAMINATION.

The Examiners reported that the following gentlemen, whose names are arranged in the order of merit, passed the Intermediate Examination in Michaelmas Term, 1863, with distinction :

Collins, John Richard, aged 19, articled to Mr. Thomas William Gray, of Exeter.

Beale, James Samuel, B.A., aged 22, articled to Messrs. Beale and Marigold, of London and Birmingham.

Daniell, James Livett, aged 18, articled to Messrs. James and Henry Livett, of Bristol.

Flux, Edward Hitchings, aged 22, articled to Messrs. Flux and Argles, of London.

Budd, jun., John Wreford, B.A., aged 24, articled to Messrs. Uptons, Johnson, and Upton, of London.

The number of candidates examined at the Intermediate Examination, held in Michaelmas Term, 1863, was 135; of these 128 were passed, and 7 postponed.

EXAMINATION STUDIES.

Michaelmas Term, 1863.

Common Law.-The Questions and Answers in this division will be found in Vol. III., pp. 306-310. As to No. I. (p. 306), the reader doubtless understands that by causes of action at common law, the Examiners refer to the matters giving rise to actions, that is, civil injuries, for all the causes of action imply an injury, either with or

without force; the detention or non-payment of a debt is an injury as much as the committal of a trespass. (See F. Bk. 239; Princ. Com. Law, 1.) There may be a loss, and yet no injury, expressed as "damnum absque injuria:" in this case no action lies. So the injury may be one not to an individual, but to the whole community; there is then no civil remedy. (See Princ. Com. Law, 2.) As to No. II. (p. 306), it may be observed, that not only are personal actions, but also the remaining real actions (Law Dict. 9), are commenced by writ of summons, which, however, in the case of real actions, is to be indorsed with a notice that the plaintiff intends to declare in dower, or for freebench, or in quare impedit, as the case may be. (C. L. P. Act, 1860 ; 23 & 24 Vic. c. 126, s. 26.) This latter part may be added to the Answer to No. III. From No. VI. (p. 307), the reader is to infer that where judgment is signed against the defendant, which may be either for want of appearance or for not pleading to the declaration, &c., it is either final or interlocutory; if final, nothing remains but to tax the costs, and then issue execution, if the defendant does not settle the matter; if interlocutory, then before execution issues there must be either a writ of inquiry or a calculation of damages before a Master. As to No. VII. (p. 308), it will be found useful to read what is said of contracts in 2 Stephen's Com. ch. 5. The definition there given, with Blackstone's, is mentioned in Princ. Com. Law, p. 131, and see Law Dict. 156-158. As to No. X. (p. 309), the reader will bear in mind that the appeal on motions for new trials, or to enter a verdict, was first introduced by the C. L. P. Act, 1854, previous to which there was no mode of reviewing the decision of the Court. As to No IA. (p. 309), the reader will bear in mind that the loss of a non-negociable document could never have been set up as a defence to an action for the amount or value; but it was otherwise as to negociable documents before the C. L. P. Act, 1854. The reader, doubtless, understands that the reason why the loss was a defence as to the negociable document was that it might have got into the hands of an innocent holder, who would be entitled to sue and recover from the party sued. As there is a maxim, cessante ratione legis cessat ipsa lex (see Law Max. p. 19), so where the negociable document was not merely lost, but destroyed, the owner might sue for the value of it, as there could not be any msk of future liability. The distinction is still important, for in the case of a destroyed note no indemnity is requisite, as in the case of a lost note, neither is there any remedy in equity. (See Princ. Com. Law, 127, 128.) As to No. XII. (p. 309), there is a great difference between the case of a vendor of goods forwarding them to the pur chaser by a carrier, at the request of the purchaser, and a forwarding of the goods by a carrier without the request of the purchaser. It has been decided that where a tradesman orders goods to be sent by