"And so, Allan, you wish to go to sea?" "Yes, father," I replied. "But, is there no other profession you would prefer-the law, for instance? It seems a prosperous trade enough, judging from the fact that solicitors generally appear well to do, with plenty of money-possibly that of other people-in their possession; so, considering the matter from a worldly point of view, you might do worse, Allan, than join their ranks."