Foss. My child, Mr. Justice!
Pos. Look ye, doctor Fossile, you confound filiation with legitimation. Lawyers are of opinion, that filiation is necessary to legitimation, but not è contra.
[The child cries
Foss. I would not starve any of my own species, get the infant some water-pap. But Mr. Justice——
Pos. The proofs, I say, doctor, of filiation are five. Nomination enunciatively pronounc'd, strong presumptions, and circumstantial proofs—
Foss. What is all this to me? I tell you I know nothing of the child.
Pos. Signs of paternal piety, similitude of features, and commerce with the mother. And first of the first, nomination. Has the doctor ever been heard to call the infant, son?
Town. He has call'd him child, since he came into this room. You have indeed, Mr. Fossile.
Pos. Bring hither the doctor's great bible.——Let us examine in the blank leaf whether he be enroll'd among the rest of his children.
Foss. I tell you, I never had any children. I shall grow distracted, I shall——
Pos. But did you give any orders against registring the child by the name of Fossile?