himself to sack, and gave the subject a great part of his attention
for all the remainder of his days.

It may be that he found the subject too absorbing to allow of his
giving much attention to old Father Antic the Law. At any rate, he was
never called to the Bar, and posterity cannot be too thankful that his
great mind was not lost in 'the abyss of legal eminence' which has
received so many men who might have adorned their country. That he was
fitted for a brilliant legal career can admit of no doubt. His power
of detecting analogies in cases apparently different, his triumphant
handling of cases apparently hopeless, his wonderful readiness in
reply, and his dramatic instinct, would have made him a powerful
advocate. It may have been owing to difficulties with the Benchers of
the period over questions of discipline, or it may have been a
distaste for the profession itself, which induced him to throw up the
law and adopt the profession of arms.

We know that while he was still at Clement's Inn he was page to Lord
Thomas Mowbray, who was afterwards created Earl of Nottingham and Duke
of Norfolk. It must be admitted that here (as elsewhere in
Shakespeare) there is some little chronological difficulty. We will
not inquire too curiously, but simply accept the testimony of Justice
Shallow on the point. Mowbray was an able and ambitious lord, and
Falstaff, as page to him, began his military career with every
advantage. The French wars of the later years of Edward III. gave
frequent and abundant opportunity for distinction. Mowbray
distinguished himself in Court and in camp, and we should like to
believe that Falstaff was in the sea-fight when Mowbray defeated the
French fleet and captured vast quantities of sack from the enemy.
Unfortunately, there is no record whatever of Falstaff's early