Page:William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England (3rd ed, 1768, vol I).djvu/462

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HE next, and the mot univeral relation in nature, is immediately derived from the preceding, being that between parent and child.

are of two orts; legitimate, and purious, or batards: each of which we hall conider in their order; and firt of legitimate children.

I. child is he that is born in lawful wedlock, or within a competent time afterwards. "Pater et quem nuptiae demontrant," is the rule of the civil law ; and this holds with the civilians, whether the nuptials happen before, or after, the birth of the child. With us in England the rule is narrowed, for the nuptials mut be precedent to the birth; of which more will be aid when we come to conider the cae of batardy. At preent let us enquire into, 1. The legal duties of parents to their legitimate children. 2. Their power over them. 3. The duties of uch children to their parents.

1., firt, the duties of parents to legitimate children: which principally conit in three particulars; their maintenance, their protection, and their education. Rh