The voices, too, are most agreeable, although many barristers acquire the high-pitched, thin tone usually associated with literary and ecclesiastical surroundings. Besides superior modulation, the chief merit is in the admirable distribution of emphasis. In this respect both the dialogue and monologue in an English court room are far less monotonous than in an American. Passing the superficial impression and coming to the underlying substance, there is extraordinarily little difference between law courts on both sides of the Atlantic. Not only is the common law the same, and the legislation of the two countries largely parallel, but the method of law-thought--the manner of approaching the consideration of questions--is precisely identical, so that, upon the whole, the diversity is no greater than that which may exist between any two of the forty-six states. Indeed, so complete is the similarity that an American lawyer feels that he might step into the barristers' benches and conduct a current case without causing the slightest hitch in the proceedings, provided he could manage the wig and that the difference of accent--not very marked in men of the profession--should not attract too much attention. That the law emanating from the little Island, which could be tucked away in a corner of some of our States, should have spread over the vast territory of America and control such an enormous population with its many foreign strains, and that, as the decades roll on, it should thrive, improve, and successfully grapple with problems never dreamed of in its origin, indicates its surprising vitality and stimulates interest in the methods now in vogue in its native land. FOOTNOTE: [A] Very recently these bars have been moved to restaurants on the lower floor. CHAPTER II THE MAKING OF LAWYERS CLASSES FROM WHICH BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS ARE DRAWN--THE INNS OF COURT--INNS OF CHANCERY-- STUDENTS AT PERIOD OF REVOLUTION--A BARRISTER'S CHAMBERS--TRAINING OF BARRISTERS IN AN INN--BEING CALLED TO THE BAR--TRAINING OF SOLICITORS.