The course of instruction is strictly graded and the instruction is given by lectures and by frequent examinations. The students are required to read and discuss the leading cases illustrating the subjects of instruction. Moot courts are frequently held, at which questions prepared by the professors are argued.

Under the statutes of the University a degree of bachelor of laws is granted to candidates who, having attended upon the full course of instruction in the Law Department and having prepared and submitted to the faculty an essay on some legal subject sufficient in merit to satisfy the faculty of their fitness to receive the degree, shall have passed a satisfactory examination upon the subjects of instruction. The degree of bachelor of laws cum honore is granted to such candidates as may be certified by the faculty to have passed the final examination with distinction. Graduates of the school are admitted to practice in the supreme court of Pennsylvania and in the court of Philadelphia County, upon compliance with the rules of the courts as to registration. There is also a post-graduate course of study, covering two years and involying a philosophical inquiry into the history and sources of the law. Graduates of this course receive the degree of master of laws. A system of fellowships has been created, under which the faculty may select from the graduating class a distinguished student and appoint him a resident "Fellow" to serve for three years, at an annual salary of $300, and to give instruction in the Law School, under the direction of the dean of the faculty. The aim and end of the system of instruction of the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania is to train students of law so thoroughly that when they shall have been graduated they will be competent to enter into practice at any bar in the United States.

Since the establishment of the Law School in 1850, more than 700 students have been graduated, most of whom have engaged in active practice and by their professional success have reflected credit upon their Alma Mater.

The roll of the school for the academic year 1892-'93 reports present for duty:

Faculty. The provost, 1; the dean, 1; professors, 5.

Staff.-Fellows, 4; librarian, 1; assistant librarians, 3.

Students.-Third-class, 56; second-class, 50; first-class, 80; special, 16. Total, 202.

CHAPTER X.

THE TOWNE SCIENTIFIC SCHOOL.

I. HISTORICAL.

A. THE SCHOOL OF ARTS.

The Towne Scientific School, substantially as it now exists, was created by a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, passed at its meeting on June 1, 1875. Even at this time, however, the educational importance of scientific and technical training had, for twenty-five years or more, occupied the attention of the authorities of the University. At its meeting on the 5th of March, 1850, upon recommendation of the committee on the government of the College, the Board of Trustees had adopted a resolution "that it is expedient to provide for a School of Arts." In May, 1850, the board had resolved "that, for the purpose of establishing a School of Arts in connection with the University, a professor be elected to serve without charge to the University," the committee on the government of the College being requested to make a report on the title of the professorship. In October this committee had recommended that the new chair be called the "Professorship of Chemistry as applied to the Arts." Whereupon the board accepted this report and at once elected James C. Booth to this professorship. Professor Booth entered at once upon the duties of his chair, and in the issue of the University catalogue for 1851-52 the course of instruction in the "Department of Chemistry as applied to the Arts," is announced as "the same as that of the experimental laboratories now generally attached to European universities." The number of students was limited to 10, each student being "supplied with the requisite apparatus and chemicals to pursue his own experimental investigations, under the direction of the professor, with competent assistance." "The course of experiment is varied," says the prospectus, "according to the special object in view. Familiar lectures are given by the professor, to students exclusively, upon the following subjects: Mineralogy, Geology, Theoretic and Applied Chemistry." The new department was so successful that in 1853 the aid of three assistants was required in the laboratory, the number of students having increased to 13. Instruction in it was continued until the resignation of Professor Booth, in February, 1856.

1180-19

289