According to the Law
The Law, by Francis Hopkinson Smith, is a novel set in the early 20th century that follows the story of a young lawyer named John Hampden who struggles to balance his career and personal life. The book explores themes of ambition, love, and morality as Hampden navigates the complexities of the legal system and his own relationships.
By Francis Hopkinson Smith · First published 1897 · Genre: Legal Thriller, Mystery, Drama · 3 chapters · 9,339 words
First lines
The luncheon was at one o'clock. Not one of your club luncheons, served in a silent, sedate mausoleum on the principal street, where your host in the hall below enters your name in a ledger, and a brass-be-buttoned Yellowplush precedes you upstairs into a desolate room furnished with chairs and a round table decorated with pink _boutonnieres_ set for six, and where you are plied with Manhattans until the other guests arrive.
What this Textopian page supports
According to the Law is listed on Textopian as a novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Legal Thriller, Mystery, Drama, Historical Fiction, Crime Fiction
- Length: 9,339 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 144 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for According to the Law by Francis Hopkinson Smith
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering According to the Law?
- How does this novel by Francis Hopkinson Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Legal Thriller first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Devils Advocate by Fred M. White
- The Northern Circuit by Samuel Warren
- A Court Of Inquiry by Grece S. Richmond
- The Law Of The Land by Fred M. White
- The Sentence Of The Court by Fred M. White
- The Scales Of Justice by Fred M. White
Genres
- Legal Thriller — The plot revolves around legal issues and courtroom drama.
- Mystery — The story involves solving a crime or uncovering secrets.
- Drama — The narrative focuses on intense character development and emotional themes.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and events are influenced by historical contexts.
Tags
law · justice · courtroom · trial · legal drama · morality · ethics · society · conflict · character study · human nature · decision-making
Contents
- CHAPTER I
- CHAPTER II
- CHAPTER III