Opposed to Mustaches
Mr. Fleming, an upholsterer, of Pimlico, by his will, proved in 1869, left £10 each to the men in his employ—those who did not wear mustaches; those who persisted in wearing them to have £5 only.
Must be Tall
The county of Yorkshire in England is noted for its tall men, and a resident of that county left his entire estate to those of his descendants who were not less than six feet four inches in height.
Newspaper Reading Prohibited
A Vienna banker made a bequest to his nephew with the stipulation that “he shall never, on any occasion, read a newspaper, his favorite occupation.”
A Beam and Bell
The will of Reginald atte Pette, of Stockbury, dated 12th of January, 1456, is in part as follows: “Item, I bequeath toward the making of a new beam in the Church of Stockbury, xiii s. iiii d.; towards a new bell called trebyll vi s. viii d.; towards the work of the new isle in the aforesaid Church iv marcs; and towards the making of a new window there xx s. Witnesses, John Petytt, Nich. Cowstede, Adomar atte Pette, Thomas atte Pette, Peter atte Pette, Christopher, Clerk of the Parish there, Vicar of Stockbury.”
Must become an Actress
A maiden lady over fifty years of age, with a strong aversion to all theatrical amusements, was scandalized by being put down for a legacy in the will of a facetious friend, who attached the condition that within six months of the testator’s death the legatee obtain an engagement at a theatre and must perform there for one whole week.