So Mary was not spouting complete nonsense when she wanted Edmund to take up the law. However, when Edmund himself had no such inclination to change his profession, I don't really blame him for sticking with the Church.

Edmund does tend to blather without reflection, but not without conscious, though. I must protest when you say that Edmund approved of cutting down the trees at Sotherton- we don't get what his opinion on that issue was from the text.

Very interesting information on what kind of borough Mansfield may have been. If Sir Thomas was hoping that Edmund would influence his parishioners towards voting for him, no wonder he wanted Edmund to actually reside in Thornton Lacey. I wouldn't attribute solely monetary motives, although it is typical of Sir Thomas to have more than one kind of motive for many a deed he does.