thirteen swans, and three hundred and forty dozen of larks.

Serjeants are called by the king's mandate, or writ, directed to them, commanding them to take the degree by a day assigned. They are bound, says Judge Blackstone, by a solemn oath to do their duty to their clients and as they are supposed to be the most learned and experienced lawyers, there is one court set apart for them to plead in by themselves, called the Court of Common Pleas ; because there the unwritten, (as it is termed) or common law of England, is most strictly observed: but they are not prohibited pleading in other courts; and the judges, who by custom must be serjeants, call them brothers.

E 2 BARRISTER

BARRISTER AT LAW.

A BARRISTER is a counsellor learned in the law, who is empowered to plead, and defend the causes of clients in our courts of justice. They amount to the same in the English law as advocates in other countries, and are not admitted to the order till after a considerable degree of study or at least standing in the inns of court. To pass barristers, they were formerly obliged to study eight years, though now only seven, and sometimes fewer; and in our old law-books are looked upon, like the bachelors of our universities, as only learners, and not qualified to execute

the

the full office of an advocate till they are sixteen years standing, when they are called to the degree of serjeant.

They seem to have been first appointed by an ordinance of King Edward I. about 1291.

A custom has sometimes prevailed of granting letters patent of precedence to such barristers as the crown thinks proper to honour with the distinction. These rank promiscuously with the king's counsel, and with them sit within the bar of the respective courts; but as they receive no salaries and are not sworn, are at liberty to be retained in causes against the crown.

All