The Every-day Book and Table Book. v. 3 (of 3) / Everlasting Calerdar of Popular Amusements, Sports, Pastimes, Ceremonies, Manners, Customs and Events, Incident to Each of the Three Hundred and Sixty-five Days, in past and Present Times; Forming a Complete History of the Year, Month, and Seasons, and a Perpetual Key to the Almanac

by William Hone

LEGAL RECREATION.

It is alleged in a memoir of the Life of Lord Eldon, that, when plain John Scott, his zeal for knowledge of the law was so great, that he abandoned the pursuit of almost every other species of information, and never sacrificed a moment from his legal studies, beyond what was absolutely necessary to his health. His brother William, (afterwards lord Stowell,) with a view of engaging him to meet Dr. Johnson and other men of distinguished literary talent, would sometimes say, “Where do you dine to-day?” To this question John’s uniform answer was, “I dine on Coke to-day.” William would then demur, with a “Nay, but come to my chambers—you’ll see the doctor;” whereupon John argued, concerning the doctor, “He can’t draw a bill;” and so the friendly suit concluded.

It is further affirmed, on the best authority, that it was an amusement in the early legal life of John Scott to turn pieces of poetry into the form of legal instruments; and that he actually converted the ballad of “Chevy Chace” into the shape and style of a bill in chancery.

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A professional gentleman, who, during his pupilage, was recommended by a distinguished barrister to commit the following verses to memory, duly availed himself of that advantage, and obligingly communicates them.

For the Table Book.

CANONS OF DESCENT.
By an Apprentice of the Law.

Canon I.

Estates go to the issue (item)
Of him last seized in infinitum;
like cow-tails, downward, straight they tend,
But never, lineally, ascend:

Cannon II.

This gives that preference to males,
At which a lady justly rails.

Canon III.

Of two males, in the same degree,
The eldest, only, heir shall be:
With females we this order break,
And let them all together take.

Canon IV.

When one his worldly strife hath ended,
Those who are lineally descended
From him, as to his claims and riches,
Shall stand, precisely, in his breeches.

Canon V.

When lineal descendants fail,
Collaterals the land may nail:
So that they be (and that a bore is)
De sanguine progenitores.

Canon VI.

The heir collateral, d’ye see,
Next kinsman of whole blood must be:

Canon VII.

And, of collaterals, the male
Stocks are preferred to the female;
Unless the land come from a woman,
And then her heirs shall yield to no man.

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