"And in this I am warranted by the example of ancient Rome; where, as Cicero informs us, the very boys were obliged to learn the twelve tables by heart, as a carmen necessarium or indispensable lesson, to imprint on their tender minds an early knowledge of the laws and constitution of their country."
Commentaries on the Laws of England. Book the First.
Text from William Blackstone, <u>Commentaries on the Laws of England</u> 2 vols. (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., 1893). &lt;<a href="http://oll.libertyfund.org/title/2141">Link to OLL</a>&gt;<br>
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See also William Blackstone, <u>Commentaries on the Laws of England</u>, vol i (1765; facs. ed Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979). &lt;<a href="http://find.galegroup.com/ecco/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=ECCO&userGroupName=viva_uva&tabID=T001&docId=CW125724830&type=multipage&contentSet=ECCOArticles&version=1.0&docLevel=FASCIMILE">Link to ECCO</a>&gt;
