CodalSearch this book — or all of Codal…⌘K
nydus/The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, GentlemanPublic

A man describes his birth and upbringing through the adventures of his family.

Page 482 of 810
Table of Contents

XXXI

⸺⁠I enter upon this speculation, said my father carelessly, and half shutting the book, as he went on, merely to show the foundation of the natural relation between a father and his child; the right and jurisdiction over whom he acquires these several ways⁠—

1st, by marriage.

2nd, by adoption.

3rd, by legitimation.

And 4th, by procreation; all which I consider in their order.

I lay a slight stress upon one of them, replied Yorick ⁠⸺⁠the act, especially where it ends there, in my opinion lays as little obligation upon the child, as it conveys power to the father.⁠—You are wrong,⁠—said my father argutely, and for this plain reason * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * —I own, added my father, that the offspring, upon this account, is not so under the power and jurisdiction of the mother.⁠—But the reason, replied Yorick , equally holds good for her.⁠⸺⁠She is under authority herself, said my father:⁠—and besides, continued my father, nodding his head, and laying his finger upon the side of his nose, as he assigned his reason,⁠— she is not the principal agent , Yorick.⁠—In what, quoth my uncle Toby? stopping his pipe.⁠—Though by all means, added my father (not attending to my uncle Toby ) “ The son ought to pay her respect ,” as you may read, Yorick , at large in the first book of the Institutes of Justinian , at the eleventh title and the tenth section,⁠—I can read it as well, replied Yorick , in the Catechism.

482