The Sun.
London, England, 1866-06-09 00:00:00

Wills and Bequests.

The will of the late Right Hon. Thomas Spring
Rice, Baron Monteagle, P.C., F.R.S., F.G.S.; was
proved in London on the 18th ult., by his relict, the
Right Hon. Mary Ann, Baroness Monteagle ; his
son the Right llon. William Spring Rice ; and his
nephew, Mr. Stephen Edward de Vere, of Monane,
Limerick. The personalty in England was sworn
under £16,000. Lord Monteagle was a distinguished
member of the Cabinet between the years 1827 and
1859. His lordship's will bears date 1847, and two
codicils, 1863-5 ; and he died on the 7th of Feb-
ruary, 1866, in his 77th year. Lady Monteagle is
provided for by her marriage settlement, and pro-
vision is also made for his younger children, being
four sons and three daughters. To his younger
sons there is a charge upon his estate of £4,000 to
each ; the daughters receiving their portions on mar-
riage. All his estates and land in Castlemaine,
Kerry, his mansion at Mount Trenchard, Limerick,
and all his other freeholds, devolve to his grandson,
Thos. Spring Rice, now in his 17th year.—The will
of Mr. John Twells, formerly of Gracechurch-
street, banker, but late of Darby House, Sunbury,
was proved in the London Court, under £90,000
personalty, by his two sons—the Rev. John Twells,
M.A., and Mr. Phillip Twells. The testator died
on the 10th of March, at the age of 89, having exe-
cuted his will April 16, 1860, and a codicil Feb. 20,
1866. By the will he had left his property equally
between his two sons, but having since purchased
certain freehold and copyhold land at Sunbury, and
the island or eyot called Swan's Nest, lying oppo-
site to Darby House, he devises the same to such of
his two sons as may elect to take the estate at
£15,000, and leaves that sum to the other. To his
eldest son he bequeaths £5,000 ; and to such son as
becomes the purchaser of the estate at Sunbury he
leaves all the furniture, books, and other effects,
together with the farming stock and agricultural
implements absolutely.—lllustrated News.

The Abyssinian Captives.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR—Mrs. Stern, having just received the follow-
ing letter from her husband, would take it as a
particular favour if you would kindly insert it in
your widely-circulated journal, as its publicity
would be a source of much consolation to the
friends of the captives.

I am, Sir, yours obediently,
C. 11. RUDAY, Father-in-law of Mr. Stern.
24, Great Marlborough-street, June 7.

"Korata, near Lake Tzana, Camp of British
Mission, March 22.

"My dear Charlotte,—At length God, in His infinite
mercy, has heard the prayers which ascended to His throne
of Grace in our behalf, and released us from prison and
chains. Our manacles were removed on the 24th of
February, and on the 25th we quittei the rocky heights
on which we had been confined for 16 interminable
months. Two days we remained encamped at the foot
of the Araba to regain some strength, as several of us,
myself among the number, could scarcely stand upright,
much Jess ride any considerable distance. Freedom,
change of air, and the luxury of unshackled hands and feet,
however, effected a wonderful alteration in our exhausted
and enervated frames. On the 7th inst. we reached Gaffaff,
where Mr. Flad and our former fellow-prisoners gave us a
cordial reception. Wo remained one night with these
friends, and then in company started for Korata, the tem-
porary home of Mr. Rassam, and the vicinity of the royal
camp. From the kindness and attention we experienced
is we advanced on our journey, hope, so long deadened in
cur hearts, began again to revive, and visions of liberty, to
which for muro than two years wo had been strangers,
'gain brightened our future. Our enterprising, excellent
riend, Mr. Rassam, received us with that cautious cold-
ness which our mutual position rendered indispensable.
Messengers were despatched the same night to announce our
irrival to his Majesty, and on the morning of the 15thinst.
a complete reconciliation was effecteil, before Mr. Rassam
and the royal delegates, between the King and his white
prisoners. We are now waiting with yearning impatience
for the permission to leave Abyssinia, a question which is
still subject to the variable mood of his Majesty. A letter
from Dr. Beke, together with a petition from you and the
Alter relatives of the prisoners, arrived here on the 16th
nst. The King forwarded the English copies to Mr.
Rassam, with the laconic remark, ' I have already, for the
sake of the Queen of England, liberated the captives.'
" I should like to write a long letter, but Mr. Rassam re-
stricts me to a small note, and I must, therefore, impose an
unwilling restraint on my unchained hand.
"Kiss the dear children for me, and that our Heavenly
Father may ere long reunite us, is the continual prayer of
your affectionate and severely tried husband,
" HERAT A. STERN."