Evening star., 1907-05-26


is written, Peter Smith, March, 18o7.-Day
Book for the Park" Smith was evidently an
overseer or steward on some nobleman's estate.
AS the probate court authorities were con-
cerned with only one folio. the remainder of
the leaves are fastened together, SO that the
book Immediately opens at the required place.
The entry which is really the will has been
marked Exhibit A. and here we read, Left
due to my dear wife ssoo::", Just above is an
entry debiting Mr.. Richard Hill with
three beasts at ST EACH
Cases of Grim Humor
INSTANCES of grim humor in wills are almost
L without number. They are seldom in the best
of taste, perhaps. particularly when the jokes
have reference to my mode of burial
case in point was that of man who left per-
sonal estate worth fifty-two thousand two
hundred dollars THE coffin" he wrote, after
disposing of this money. is to be of red tlr.
| pine for nothing better; and even this may
be thought good deal too good, though GER
tainly not very spruce"
In Somerset House one may see many an
cient wills containing elaborate drawings and
sketches, mainly illustrative of the trade
occupation of the testator. For example, the
initial letter of certain bakers will takes the
form of sheaf of golden corn. Indeed, most
of the older wills were remarkable for curiosl-
ties. Thus, Izaak Walton's is sealed with a
curious device showing the Savior crucifed
on an anchor. Others contain long sermons
variegated with positive abuse.
Il leave, angrily writes rich attorney, TO
Herbert L, his wife, and Frances Elizabeth
greed jealousy. folly, plots, schemes. and vile
lies have succeeded in making life burden
to me-" This reminds one of the will of
Boston man, by which his wife was left pennl-
less unless she married again within five years.
The reason for this unusual proviso was that
he wanted somebody else to find out how hard
it to live with her.
a very curious case is that of will which
came from Egypt during plague time. pre-
served in bottle of spirit for fear of infection.
naval forces in Abukir Bay, and as he was
| stricken with the deadly sickness he made out
his will and sent it in the form of letter to
the surgeon on the flagship. 1t began in this
ABUK1R, July I, 1901.
Being now Afflickted with the Plague, the
Scourge of Mankind. which will probably soon
terminate my existence"
But when he received this queer will letter
the surgeon grew scared Fearing that the
paper was infected with the deadly disease.
he did not put it with the rest of his docu-
ments, but instantly made copy of it, COM
pared this with the original, and then placed
the latter in bottle of spirit and brought it
carefully home to England. Unfortunately,
when that bottle was opened, no trace OF writ
ing remained on the paper the ink having
been entirely absorbed by the strong spirit.
Then it was that the surgeon executor pro-
duced his copy and proved the will.
A Will in Rhine
|0F riming wills there is in existence that of
~ S. ]. Powell, whose impartiality and correct
moral tone renders his will an excellent speci-
men. 1t runs as follows:
When my wifes Widow of
me bereft,
She shall inherit all I've left:
And when she's finished her
career,
1t shall then 60 to my Daughters
dear.
In equal shares to save all
bother
Not flesh to one ant fish the other
They all kind and dear to me
So no distinction shall there be-
Among the historic wills, perhaps the most
interesting was one of Lord Nelson's, which
appears to have entirely escaped notice. Yet
this too may be found in the probate registry
at Somerset House in the form of little pocket
book belonging to the famous British Admiral.
In this peculiar document the hero bequeathes
the lovely Lady Hamilton to his King and
country, and tells in magniloquent language
how her moral support helped him to win GER
tain famous victories which have made history.
He also complains about some letters the
famous beauty stole from him. Most inter-
esting of all, perhaps, the will is dated In
sight of the Allied Fleets"
/ =