CHAPTER I. 1
Standard of criticism hitherto applied to John Law.-- Birth and ancestry.--Education.--Death of father.-- Early devotion to study of finance.--Manner and appearance.--Visits London.--Duel with Beau Wilson.-- Tried for murder.--Escapes to France.--Meets Lady Catherine Knollys.--Career of gambling on the Continent.--Studies banking.--Formulates new principles of finance.--Returns to Scotland.