University of Texas School of Law - Peregrinus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

Page 8 text:

The Peregrinus - the patron saint of the University of Texas School of Law - had its beginning in the Equity class taught by Judge W.S. Simkins in 1918. Here ' s the way Simkins told the story: Many years ago I was trying to explain to the class in Equity the origin of the system in Rome and the source of equity in the Roman Empire. At that time, fledgings just from the high school were admitted to the law school. Many of them had never heard of the Roman Empire, and not a few spelled cow with a K. Well, I explained to them that when Rome conquered a nation it was incorporated into the Roman Empire - that the Roman citizen was not subject to the laws of these incorporated W r v H ; ' ' si : A nations - that in due course commerce sprang up between the citizens of Rome and the barbaric nations, and there was no law to determine and set- tle their contractual relations. The Roman Emperor, to settle the troubles arising out of the fact that there was no law applicable to control their contracts, appointed a Praetor (or chancellor) to travel among these nations, and to settle all disputes with- out reference to the Laws of Rome, or the incorporated Nations, but to do jus- tice and decide all disputes, alone by the conscience of the Praetor. Peregrinating from one nation to the other, he was called the Praetor Peregrinus. The boneheads of the class evi- dently thought that Peregrinus was an internal organ of the body for they con- tinually greeted each other with ' How ' s your Peregrinus today? ' This fact seems to have developed the humorous side of the incident, and Russell Savage developed a concrete expression of it on the blackboard and thus the tradi- tion began. While various descriptions of the Peregrinus have been given over the years, Julie Elfenbein, editor of the 1918 4 - Peregrinus Legend Cactus, got an original description of the Peregrinus from Simkins himself: Perry is a creature of Equity. With his enormous tail he brushes aside all tech- nicalities in the favor of justice. With the long pointed nose, he delves into the intricacies of the rele- vant and irrelevant (looking) for the Truth. On his left forefoot is the Irish ' s ditcher ' s boot, confessing his member- ship in the rank and file. He puts his right foot foremost and is adorned with an expensive ' Stacy Adam ' shoe (evidently a lot of force in 1918). The boxing gloves (on his hind feet) back up the law and Equity. His eyes are all- seeing and his fine head is crowned with the white cap of Truth. Simkins also explained that Perry ' s arched back, ready for spring- ing, indicates that the law is ever ready to protect the right or prevent the wrong.

Page 7 text:

Elton M. Hyder Jr. - 3

Page 9 text:

TJiat they may truly and wipartially administer justice. Engraved above the entrance of the old Towrnes Hall, this quote reflects the intentions of UT Law School and inspires students here everyday. The law school was founded in 1883. But, just which buildings did on the sixth and fifth floor of the library top the list. For inspiration, the atrium beats out any other place. And, the best spot all around? The patio draped with pecan and oak trees, on the east side of the school. - Bahareh Poursepanj Architecture nuone? those law students occupy in the old days? Fifty-two students met in the basement of the main building during that founding year and students con- tinued to gather there until 1908. Then, from 1908 until 1952, Pearce Hall housed the law school. In 1952 Townes Hall - part of the present day UT School of Law - was completed. The building was designed by Mark Lemmon. In 1964 an east wing was added to Townes Hall, almost doubling the school ' s space. Another addition in 1981, the grand Jesse H. Jones building, again doubled the school ' s size. This building houses the Tarlton Law Library - the flfth largest law library in the nation. The law school is composed of buildings that have accumulated over time. Together the buildings create unforgettable spaces for the entire law school community. Its outdoor hall- way that creates two courtyards is an image never forgotten. The inspiring arches glorify the light which shines through; the calm, enclosed courtyard is a favorite place for studying and reading; the outer courtyard serves as a space for group study sessions and socializing. There ' s also the ever-popular atri- um and those green couches. Students are often found gathered in this light-filled, curvalinear space. The light wells over the stairs in the atrium add to the richness of the space by emitfing natural light. So, what do the students at the law school think? The answers were unani- mous. For studying, the large windows (Photos by Bahareh Pouisepanj) Architecture - 5