Nevertheless, such was one of the important provisions of the "perfection of reason," until the recent reforms in English law; and it has struck us as surprising, that an ingenious writer of fiction, who has recently charmed his readers with a tale, the interest of which turns principally on the vicissitudes of practice, did not bethink him of this peculiar feature of his country's laws; inasmuch as it would have supplied mystery sufficient for a dozen ordinary romances, and improbabilities enough for a hundred.

That Sir Gervaise and his companions should be ignorant of the "law of the half-blood," is, consequently, very much a matter of course; and no one ought to be surprised that the worthy baronet's repeated allusions to the "whole," and the "half," were absolutely enigmas, which neither had the knowledge necessary to explain.
"What _can_ the poor fellow mean ?" demanded the admiral, more concerned than he remembered ever before to have been, on any similar occasion.
"One could wish to serve him as much as possible, but all this about '_nullus_,' and 'whole blood,' and 'half,' is so much gibberish to me--can you make any thing of it,--hey! Atwood ?" "Upon my word, Sir Gervaise, it seems a matter for a judge, rather than for man-of-war's men, like ourselves." "It certainly can have no connection with this rising of the Jacobites?
_That_ is an affair likely to trouble a loyal subject, in his last moments, Mr.Rotherham!" "Sir Wycherly's habits and age forbid the idea that he knows more of _that_, sir, than is known to us all.

His request, however, to 'turn the will round,' I conceive to be altogether explicit.

Several capital treatises have appeared lately on the 'human will,' and I regret to say, my honoured friend and patron has not always been quite as orthodox on that point, as I could wish.

I, therefore, consider his words as evidence of a hearty repentance." Sir Gervaise looked about him, as was his habit when any droll idea crossed his mind; but again suppressing the inclination to smile, he answered with suitable gravity-- "I understand you, sir; you think all these inexplicable terms are connected with Sir Wycherly's religious feelings.