had confirmed him in this prejudice. What he saw of the proceedings that day induced him to agree with Beaumont and Fletcher, that
| Justice was a Cheese-monger, a mere cheese-monger, Weighed nothing to the world but mites and maggots And a main stink; Law, like a horse-courser, Her rules and precepts hung with gauds and ribbands, And pampered up to cozen him that bought her, When she herself was hackney, lame and founder'd.2 |
His was too simple and sincere an understanding to admire in any other sense than that of wondering at them
| Men of that large profession that can speak To every cause, and things mere contraries, Till they are hoarse again, yet all be law! That with most quick agility can turn And re-return; can make knots and undo them, Give forked counsel, take provoking gold On either hand, and put it up. These men He knew would thrive;—3 |
but far was he from wishing that a son of his should thrive by such a perversion of his intellectual powers, and such a corruption of his moral nature.
1 LORD BROOKE.
2 WOMAN PLEASED.
3 BEN JONSON.
On the other hand he felt a degree of respect amounting almost to reverence for the healing art, which is connected with so many mysteries of art and nature. And therefore when an opportunity offered of placing his son with a respectable practitioner, who he had every reason for believing would behave toward him with careful and prudent kindness, his entire approbation was given to the youth's own choice.