This was not always so. Up to 1875 the English courts were most slow, expensive and unsatisfactory. But in these thirty-five years, reforms in methods have so progressed, step by step, that the most important action can be tried, a judgment given, appeal taken, argued and orally decided as counsel sit down--all in ninety days. The details of these improvements are too technical for the present occasion; suffice it to say that they are characterized by the utmost simplicity, and many of them are capable of adaptation with modifications to American conditions. In America, the Bar is almost unorganized. It has little voice in the selection of the judges, of whose qualifications the politicians have no knowledge; it is weak in disciplining and purging itself and in commanding public respect for its rights; its standards of professional propriety are not clearly enough established, although great improvement is noticeable in all these respects. In England, the Bar is well organized and governs the whole administration of the law, jealously resenting any interference with its ancient prerogatives and preserving its own professional honor. Thus, a close observation of professional life in England will prove instructive and suggestive to the ever-alert American. Nevertheless he will depart with a feeling that, while at home there is room for progress, yet, upon the whole, the old profession in the New World well maintains its proud position. INDEX Absence of "leader" in trial, 32 Accident cases, "tender of damages" in, 122 Admiralty, Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division of High Court, 93 Trial, 104 Advocates, solicitors as, 174 "Agency business" of solicitors, 169 American law books in Middle Temple library, 14 Members of English Bar, 12 Appeal, Courts of, 107 to Judicial Committee of Privy Council, 113 to House of Lords, 111 in criminal cases, 163 of colonial cases, 114 Appellation of judges, 173 Appointment of judges, 96 Aromatic herbs in criminal courts, 133 Assizes, 170 "Associate" or clerk of court, 3 Attorney or solicitor, 49 Bags of barristers, 47 of solicitors, 55 Bailey, Old, 131 "Bands" of K. C.'s dress, 40 Bar, American members of English, 12 Calling to, 26 Discipline of, 67 English, size of, 37 English, division of, 39 Make up of, 12 Parliamentary, 40 Women not eligible to, 26 Barnard's Inn (Chancery), 23