law course
consisted only of two terms of lectures of six months each, with only
one requisite for admission; that the candidates should be eighteen
years of age and of good moral character. Nevertheless these early
students stood well in respect to ability, some "were already practising
lawyers, and others were on the verge of being admitted to the bar"; men
who came to take advantage of the lectures before entering definitely
upon practice. Only seniors were quizzed, but they were quizzed on
junior as well as senior subjects, while at the end an oral examination
was given. If this ordeal was passed satisfactorily and an acceptable
thesis presented, the candidate received his LL.B.

Professor Hinsdale in his "History," in speaking of these earlier years,
said: "A feebler organization and a looser administration could hardly
have held the School together. Indeed, if the mark of a school is to be
found in organization and administration, then this was hardly a school
at all; but if such mark is to be found in the ability of teachers, the
value of the instruction given, and the enthusiasm of students, it was a
school of high order. In a word, it was the Professors and the
conditions, not organization, administration, and discipline, that made
the School what it was."

Since 1877, when it was announced that students henceforth were expected
to be well grounded in at least a good English education, the
requirements in the Law School have been gradually raised; in fact one
may almost trace the reflection of the increasing requirements in the
fluctuating attendance. Following a requirement that an examination in
ordinary high school branches must be passed by all students except
those who had completed a high school course, the standard of admission
was made in 1898 the same as for the admission to the old B.L. course in
the Literary Department. In 1884 the two annual terms which had
heretofore made up the course were lengthened from six to nine months;
and in 1886 a graduated course of instruction was introduced, resulting
in the separation of the two classes which, up to that time, had always
recited together. In 1895, after due notice, a third year was added.

The last and perhaps most far-reaching steps in the history of the Law
School were taken in 1912, when one year in the Literary College was
required, and in 1915, when another year was added, making the law
course one of five years. Other significant advances have