The hand-book of the law of legacies / containing a statement of the nature of legacies, and the accidents to which they are subjects; together with the rights of legatees, and the causes and manner of the ademption, cumulation, and abatement of their bequests

by Anonymous

ASSENT TO LEGACIES.

It is the peculiar attribute of the office of an executor, that he stands as the medium of communication between the dead and the living. Responsible in his conscience to the former for the fulfilment of his desires, responsible to the latter by the law for the satisfaction of their rights. In him the right of property vests previous to its distribution, and this during the exercise of his duty, almost as fully and effectively as if the goods he has to apportion were his own. The legatees under a will, whether their bequests be general or specific, acquire only an anticipatory benefit until the time arrives for the complete conveyance of their legacies, either according to the terms of the will or the rule of the law. Until then the deputy of the testator holds complete possession, and none can touch an iota of the chattels without his permission. Consequently, the