New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-22
LUNAT[C'S POETIC WILL.
Remarkable Document Left by In
mate of Insane ASylum.

That there are other riches beside mere gold
and silver and worldly goods-riches that the
heritage of alI-is brought out in the following
striking will made by lunatic. This remarkable
document drawn up in proper legal form by man
who died in the Cook County Insane Asylum at
Dunnng. H.. recently came into the possession
Of Justice Walter Lloyd Smith. of Elmira. pre-
siding justice of the Appellate Division. Fourth
Department. II was read by him at the dinner Of
the Alumni Association Of the New York Unit
versity Law School at the Hotel Astor on Satur-
day and is published now for the first time.
The will reads:
disposng memory. do hereby mako and publish
this, my last will and testament. in order as Justly
as may he to distribute my interest I'm the world
That part of my interest which is known in law
an,s recognized in the sheep bound volumes as my
property, being nconsiderable and Of no account
My right to live Being bur a life estate. is not
in hs %od now proceed to devise sRG be9 a etSc
Item: l give to good fathers and mothers. IN
praise. and encouragement: and ali quaint pet
names and endearments. and charge said parents
70 use them Justly and generously. the needs OF
Item: I leave to children inclusively but only
for the term OF their childhood. all and every. the
howers OF the fields and the blossoms of the
according 10 the customs Of children, warning
them at the same time against thistles and thOrns.
Ana devise TO children the banks of the brooks.
and the golden sands beneath the waters thereof
the white clouds that, float high over the giant
trees trees. And leave the children the long. long
night and the and the train of the milky
way to wonder at. but subject nevertheless 20 the
rights hereinafter given 10 lovers.
Item: devise to boys Jointly all the useful idle
fields and commons where ball may be we'd: all
pleasant waters where may swim all snow
clad hills where may coast. and all streams and
ponds where may fish where. when grim
winter comes. one may skate: 20 have and to hold
the same for the period Of their boyhood. And all
meadows with the clover blossoms and butterflies
thereof the woods and their RppurtenanCes, the
squirrels and birds and echoes and strange noises
and all distant places which may be visited to-
gether with the adventures there found. And I
give 70 said boys each his place at the resids
at night. with all pictures tina: may be in the
burning wood. 70 enjoy without let hindrance
and without any encumbrance Of care
Item: To lovers devise their imaginary world
with whatever they may need-as the stars of the
sky. the red roses by the wall. the bloom OF the
hawthorn. the sweet strains of music. and auEht
else they may desire 10 figure 10 each other the
lastngness and beauty OF their love.
Item: To young men Jointly. devise and be-
queath all boistereous inspiring sports OF rivalry.
and give TO them the disdain OF weakness and un-
daunted confidence in their own strength. though
they rude. l give 20 them the power 90 make
lasting friendships. and OF possessing companions,
and 10 them exclusively give all merry songs ana
brave ChOruEes, 10 sing with usty voices.
Item: And TO those who no longer children
youths or lovers. leave memory. and bequeath
them the volumes OF the poems OF Burns and
10 the end that they may liye over the old days
again. freely and fully. without 1.-THE diminu-
ton.
Item: To loved with snowy crowns I
bequeath the happiness OF old age. the love and
gratitude OF their children until they fall asleep