The will, dated November 21, 1859, of Mr. George Henry Lewes, the celebrated author, formerly of Holly Lodge, South Fields, Wandsworth, but late of The Priory, North Bank, Regent’s Park, who died on November 20, 1879, was proved by Mary Ann Evans, the sole executrix, the personal estate being sworn under £2000. The testator gives to his three sons, Charles Lee, Thornton Amott, and Herbert Arthur, all his copyright and interest of every description in all his literary and dramatic works, and the residue of his real and personal estate to his executrix.
Will of Maria Cristina, Queen Dowager of Spain
The will (dated 1874), with a codicil (dated 1875), both made in Paris, of her Majesty the Queen Doña Maria Cristina de Borbon y Borbon, who died on August 22, 1879, in France, was proved in London. The personal estate in England is sworn under £6000. The testatrix directs that 5000 recited masses shall be performed for her soul, 5000 for the soul of her late husband, 1000 for the souls of her deceased children, and 500 for the souls of her deceased grandchildren, to be performed by poor priests in churches to be selected by her executors, the alms for each mass to be ten reals. She bequeaths money to the needy poor and sick of several towns. Special directions are given as to her numerous papers; they are divided into four classes, viz. her business papers, political papers, confidential papers, and intimate private papers; her secretary, Don Antonio Maria Rubio, is charged with the arranging of them, and he is to deliver the papers of the first three categories, sealed up, to her son, Don Fernando, and the papers of the last-named category to her daughter, Doña Maria Cristina, also sealed up; they are not to be opened until the expiration of forty years from her decease, and the testatrix states that she so orders not for her own sake or from any want of confidence in her children, but with views of delicacy towards the many persons she has had political relationship with during her long and checkered career. If upon examination any papers are found among her own property belonging to her first husband, or the Government of Spain, they are to be delivered to her august daughter, the Queen Isabella, for eventual transmission to the successor of her first husband in the crown of Spain, “say her grandson King Alfonso.”
Will of Michael Eyquem de Montaigne
Montaigne, the celebrated essayist and philosopher, is stated to have got over any difficulties in the way of carrying out his testamentary intentions by the happy expedient of calling all the persons named in his will around his deathbed, and counting out to them severally the bequests he had made them. Any doubtful testator might usefully follow Montaigne’s example, but there is always the risk of the donor getting better, and finding himself penniless. A small farmer in Suffolk, England, being very ill, was advised by his affectionate relatives to distribute his money, and thus save legacy duty. He did so, but got well again; he did not, however, recover the amount he had distributed, and the poor old farmer had to seek relief from the parish.
Will of Napoleon
In Scott’s “Life of Napoleon Buonaparte,” published in 1828, is a complete copy of this celebrated document, the first division of which is as follows:
“Napoleon.
“This 15th April, 1821, at Longwood, Island of St. Helena. This is my Testament, or act of my last Will.
I