New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-18

TESTAUENT1RY CURIOSIIIES.
From The London GLOBE.


One of the most extraordinary wills the
by winch, about century ago, the Duchesse de
Praslin dislnherited her own children. under the
unaccountable impression that her husband had
substituted chanGengs for her own offspring. In
great number Of cases the eccentrclty OF the tes
tatOr was shown IN the curious directions he gave
for the disposal of his remains. Thus the Sieur
Benoit directed that be should be buried In my
large leathem trunk. instead OF putting my execu
tors to the expense OF cOthD." This trunk had
thrice gone with him round the world, and he
expressed himself very much attached to lt.
The Comte du ChAtelet, who died six
mind regarding his interment. He ordered
of the pillars in the church OF Neuicbateau &c
be followed out for the reception OF his remains,
a" in order that the vulgar may not walk about on
me-" An instance Of cremation took place IN Ing
land in 1863, when the remains of lady who had
resided at George-st, Hanover-sduare, were
:" burned TO ashes in the new buTylng ground adj
joining Iyburn turnpike" In another part of the
book the author tells how "a Scotch gentleman
having two young daughters. bequeathed 10 each
her weight not in gold but in FL notes" 4 he elder
being the simmer received only f51, 200. While
the younger got E57, 344. This story, however, is
uuauthenticated by either dates or names, and we
disposed, therefore, to regard 1t as only ben
tToudt0.
Some curious wills nave been made in favor %
pet animals A French peasant left the following
testamentary disposition behind him III 11sl:
" declare that appoint my russell cob my uniser
sal heir and | desire that he may belong TO my
nephew George" More than a century before that.
Madame Dupuis, famous harpIst, gave tine most
minute directions for the comfortable maintenance
of her two cats after her own demise Not less than
thirty SOUS week to be laid out on hem IN
order that they may live WELL" They were 10 be
served daily with two meals of meat soup, the
same as eat ourselves each cat having Its own
plate. Into the soup morsels OF bread about the
size OF IA nut y were to be placed, and after this
course was finished, the lucky Tables were to be
served with " "a ration of meat finely minced.
mildly seasoned, and carefully smmered." We tear
that those cats lived but o short time after their
MISTRESS death. as the VIII offered no inducements
to keep them alive, but very much the contrary.
Among the requests TO wlyes-perbaDs the most
amusing chapter IN the book-that of john George,
OF Lambeth. who died IN 179l is conspicuous for
its bitterness. After declaring that the strength
Of Samson, the genius OF Homer. the prudence VI
Augustus, the skill OF Pyrrhus. tine patience of job,
the philosophy of Socrates, the subtlety ~ Hanni-
BAL the GLANCE of Hermogenes would not suffice
TO subduc the perversity of her character" he De
qu.athed TO his wife Elizabeth the sum OF shil-
ling. William Pym, of WoOlaviDgton, Somerset,
was of a much more f0rglylng nature he, TOO,
fancIed lie had grave cause for complaint against
his spouse whom he charged with having made bls
life miserable. Nevertheless. when he quilted tnis
world III 1908 he left Xantippe tenn pounds TO
buy her greet horse. for could not lnIs NANNY
years pese her with one greet enough" Governor
Blackett-what country did he govern i-leit II rs
personal request to his dear WIFE that, Inasmgch
as she had been troubled with one old tool, not 10
think of marrying another" From The fact OF the
words " old fool " being placed between quotation
marks il may be inferred that Mrs BlaeEelt was IN
the habit OF SO addressing her husband.