History of the Lawyers

“The object of this book is to present in a popular form an historical sketch of the office and functions of an Advocate. It occurred to me that the subject afforded materials for work which would not be devoid of interest, and perhaps instruction, if, without going into minute and tedious detail, some of the more salient points were selected in the history of that profession. I therefore devoted the task to the unemployed hours of the legal vacation, confining my attention principally to the countries of Greece and Rome, France and England, where oratory, with which advocacy is so closely allied that in the Latin language they are almost synonymous terms, has been cultivated with the greatest reputation and success.” – Author’s Words
Forsyth presents in familiar terms the language of the law and how the behavior of the advocates developed. With copious citing of classical sources with his own translations, he describes in impressive detail such things as curious trials and the rights and obligations of counsel.