And do not lose your money to the blacklegs of London."
Which is the earlier version I do not know.
H. B. C.
Degree of B.C.L. (Vol. vi., p. 534.; Vol. vii., p. 38.).—In answer to J. F.'s question, the examination is quite, and the amount of standing (viz. seven years) required for taking a B.C.L in the University of Oxford is almost, identical with those necessary for an M.A. degree. A knowledge of the Civil Law never comes into requisition. There was a proposal, some short time ago, for a statute requiring an examination in the Institutes, &c., Heineccius, and other treatises on the Civil Law, before proceeding to that degree, but it was never passed. The civilian's fees are rather more than the Artist's. For information on some other minute particulars of difference, I refer J. F. to the Oxford Calendar.
The Cambridge LL.B. is really examined in the Civil, though not in the Canon Law, and is considered to obtain his degree with greater facility than by going through Arts.
With respect to the privileges of the degree at Oxford, the B.C.L. is not a member of Convocation, and has therefore no vote for the university; but yet he takes precedence of M.A.'s, both by university and court etiquette. The degrees in law and divinity used to confer the same privileges as a chaplaincy with respect to holding pluralities; and they also give those who take them the right of wearing a scarf. This will be an answer to C— J. T. P. (Vol. vii., p. 108.), unless he has confounded the priest's stole with the chaplain's scarf. The civilian has also a distinguishing gown and hood; but as to the right to a place among the members of the bar, I am unable, though a B.C.L. myself, to give any assistance in the way of information; but the silk gown of a queen's counsel is the same as a civilian's gown.
W. Fraser.
Tor-Mohun.
"Lay" and "Lie" (Vol. vi., p. 388.).—I have somewhere read the following parliamentary anecdote:—A certain honourable member, in the course of a speech, said, "the paper which lays on the table," but was immediately corrected by another honourable member, who said, "the honourable member should say lie, hens lay." In the course of the evening, the second honourable member was on his legs, and at the end of his speech said, "with these observations I shall set down;" but the first retorted on him with the correction "the honourable member should say sit, hens set."
Shirley Hibberd.