Among the various studies which Sir William encouraged his children to pursue, law, notwithstanding his dislike for the practitioners of it, bore a prominent part. Perhaps he regretted not having had a more intimate knowledge of it himself. At Christmas 1685 we find it used to introduce a kind of family diversion, possibly to gratify the disputatious talents of Henry Petty. 'As you tell us,' he writes to Sir Robert, his old humour breaking out for a moment through the gloom, 'what excellent exercise Neddy and the fair spinsters are employed upon, so I tell you that my two sons are busy upon the Law. Harry is the Lions Attorney General, and counsel for most of those whom Reynard has wronged; and Charles is of counsel to Reynard, to defend him against all accusations. I will not prejudice you to be of either side; but will only give you a list of the principal points which will come in question: viz. whether Reynard conspired with the Carpenter that wedg'd Sir Bruin into the hollow tree; about the murder of Dame Coppett, whether she was a sorceresse and intended to poison Reynard; about the great trepann upon Kynward, so as he lost his life; what kind of action Curtis may bring against Reynard for the pudding taken from her; whether the earth of Malepardus be a privileged place; and whether replevin will not lye for the goods which Reynard hath lodged in it; ' and so on under thirteen heads of legal quip and joke.[1]
The following instructions to his sons were also written at this time:—
'Directions for my son Charles, 7 July 1686.
'To pursue dansing, fencing, and riding; to fence in public, if you do well; otherwise not.
'To pursue the flute and sing justly.
'To write fair, straight, and clerklike.
'To practise Arithmetick upon real business that shall be given you.
'To copy flats, and draw after round and dead life.
'To dress yourself well without help.
'To carve at table and treat friends and strangers.
- ↑ Dec. 31, 1685.
