and agreed unanimously to lock up their father's will in a strong-
box, brought out of Greece or Italy {79b} (I have forgot which), and
trouble themselves no farther to examine it, but only refer to its
authority whenever they thought fit. In consequence whereof, a
while after it grew a general mode to wear an infinite number of
points, most of them tagged with silver; upon which the scholar
pronounced ex cathedra {80a} that points were absolutely jure
paterno as they might very well remember. It is true, indeed, the
fashion prescribed somewhat more than were directly named in the
will; however, that they, as heirs-general of their father, had
power to make and add certain clauses for public emolument, though
not deducible todidem verbis from the letter of the will, or else
multa absurda sequerentur. This was understood for canonical, and
therefore on the following Sunday they came to church all covered
with points.

The learned brother so often mentioned was reckoned the best scholar
in all that or the next street to it; insomuch, as having run
something behindhand with the world, he obtained the favour from a
certain lord {80b} to receive him into his house and to teach his
children. A while after the lord died, and he, by long practice
upon his father's will, found the way of contriving a deed of
conveyance of that house to himself and his heirs; upon which he
took possession, turned the young squires out, and received his
brothers in their stead.



SECTION III.--A DIGRESSION CONCERNING CRITICS.