A
younger son, his family connections and family interest pre-arranged a
legal career for him; and it was in accordance with his own tastes and
talents. All, however, which his father hoped for him was, that he might
be able to make an income sufficient for a gentleman to live on. Old Mr.
Corbet was hardly to be called ambitious, or, if he were, his ambition
was limited to views for the eldest son. But Ralph intended to be a
distinguished lawyer, not so much for the vision of the woolsack, which I
suppose dances before the imagination of every young lawyer, as for the
grand intellectual exercise, and consequent power over mankind, that
distinguished lawyers may always possess if they choose. A seat in
Parliament, statesmanship, and all the great scope for a powerful and
active mind that lay on each side of such a career--these were the
objects which Ralph Corbet set before himself. To take high honours at
college was the first step to be accomplished; and in order to achieve
this Ralph had, not persuaded--persuasion was a weak instrument which he
despised--but gravely reasoned his father into consenting to pay the
large sum which Mr. Ness expected with a pupil. The good-natured old
squire was rather pressed for ready money, but sooner than listen to an
argument instead of taking his nap after dinner he would have yielded
anything.
Pages:
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31