The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

The Highland Monthly.
Mediaeval law was as interesting to myself as advantageous
to my pupil, who, with his strong common sense, grasped
at once the points of contact and divergence as soon as they
were indicated, and made occasional suggestions on the
moral philosophy and underlying systems of jurisprudence,
which opened new trains of thought for his teacher. But
the more closely I studied my companion the more con-
vinced I became that mine host spoke the truth when he
described him as " a thocht too strict for the lawyer craft."
The easy morality of the profession did not harmonise with
the stern truthfulness of his nature. Politic shifts and
ingenious chicane seemed to be beyond his reach as they
were far below his contempt. The study of law as an
abstract science has attractions for men of the most diverse
minds and principles. The practice of law as a profession
often demands a suppleness, especially from young
aspirants without connections in the legal circle and money
to make them independent of their profession, which galls
the high-spirited, and often disgusts or vitiates the high-
principled. I could not help dropping dissatisfied hints to
Willie about his chosen profession. I went as far as to
suggest that he should study medicine or theology. He
changed countenance and said sadly, " I have no choice, I
must take the nearest road to make money that I can
find."
" Shame on you, Willie," I replied, with virtuous indig-
nation, "for such a grovelling sentiment. Ambition of
fame and distinction is natural to youth the love ;
of money
is the vice of age."
" But," said Willie, his face reddening and speaking
eagerly, " it is not for the love of money, it is because my
father's dying charge weighs upon me. He left my
mother, my sister, and my brother to my care. I was six,
Kate was three, and George was not born, when, with his
dying breath, he enjoined me solemnly to be the prop of
the house as soon as I could. Mr B offers to article
me on certain conditions, which are hard but not