They examine students as to their proficiency in the knowledge of the law, and call candidates to the bar, or reject them at pleasure, and without appeal.

It is pretty well known that students in some cases eat their way to the bar; in which there can be no great harm, because their clients will take the liberty afterwards of judging how far they have otherwise qualified themselves.

But every man that eats in those societies should be called, or the rejection should be founded solely on his ignorance of the law, and should be subject to an appeal to a higher jurisdiction; otherwise the power of the Benchers may be exercised on private or party motives.
"The expence of going through the course of these Societies is not great.

In the Inner Temple, a student pays on admission, for the fees of the society, 3L.6s.8d.which, with other customary charges, amounts to 4L 2s.

A duty is also paid to the King, which is high.