“The older I grow,” Mr. E. V. Lucas has said, “the less, I find, do I want to read about anything but human beings.... But human beings, as human beings, are not enough; they must, to interest me, have qualities of simplicity1 or candour or quaintness2.”
The words of the writer are peculiarly apt to describe the charm of wills. But the older we grow, the more do men and women, by reason only of their humanity, absorb our interest. In wills human nature is most vividly5 and variously displayed. In wills the dead speak, and in a manner live again. The poor and the rich, men learned and men illiterate6, all alike have made interesting wills. In some cases humour and pathos7 are more unconscious, in others opportunity for effect is [Pg 14] greater; but in wills of every class, and of every age or form, there is much worthy8 of remark.
Historically they are invaluable9 records. In them are reflected all social, political, and religious revolutions. By them the history of families or places is preserved and illuminated12. As long ago as the sixteenth century John Stow realised their value, and often referred to them in his “Survey of London.” No local record to-day would be complete without the wills of its worthies13.
There is unrivalled scope for the imagination in perusing14 the last dispositions15 of the dead. How easy it is, with these documents before us, to picture the figures of each generation; the fervent16 Catholic of the fifteenth century, the pious17 benefactor18 of the sixteenth, the “heroic English gentleman” of the seventeenth, the Whig or Tory of the eighteenth; and at all times the homely19 or eccentric testator who allows many a secret comedy or tragedy to appear, many a prejudice or foible, many a sentiment of resignation or revolt. Some give the impression of peevishness20 and irresolution21, of spite or hate; some of sentimental22 or petty desires; some of serene23 care for the future, of dignity and calm.
Little, indeed, in all literature is more arresting than the revelation of personality, the unveiling of intimacies24 that are seldom seen: in wills these intimacies occur, the veil is withdrawn25, in a manner that elsewhere can rarely be observed. Whether they be light or serious, [Pg 15] amusing or tragic28, the occurrence of such vivid traits in a will gives them a character peculiarly humorous or correspondingly sad. The idiosyncrasy is magnified, the bias29 more distorted, when placed in such a setting.
On the other hand, the interest of a will may arise not merely or so much from its provisions in themselves, as from our knowledge of the inner history of the testator’s life and death. Bishop30 Corbet, that witty31 and jovial32 soul, was one of those fathers who, for all their love and longing33, for all their piety34, are disgraced by their sons. In his will, dated July 7, 1635, and proved on the 5th of the following September, he wrote: “I commit and commend the nurture35 education and maintenance of my son and daughter into the faithful and loving care of my mother-in-law, declaring my intent by this my last will, as I have often in my health expressed the same, that my desire is that my said son be brought up in good learning, and that as soon as he shall be fit be placed in Oxford36 or Cambridge, where I require him upon my blessing37 to apply himself to his books studiously and industriously38.”
He had in “health expressed the same” by verse: but the son Vincent, in spite of prayer and admonition, was a ne’er-do-well, and after the Bishop’s death a beggar in London. These lines were addressed to him upon his third birthday by his fond but ill-requited father:— [Pg 16]
“I wish thee, Vin., before all wealth, Both bodily and ghostly health: Nor too much wealth, nor wit, come to thee, So much of either may undo39 thee. I wish thee learning, not for show, Enough for to instruct, and know; Not such as gentlemen require, To prate40 at table, or at fire. I wish thee all thy mother’s graces, Thy father’s fortune, and his places. I wish thee friends, and one at court, Not to build on but support; To keep thee, not in doing many Oppressions, but from suffering any. I wish thee peace in all thy ways, Nor lazy nor contentious41 days; And when thy soul and body part, As innocent as now thou art.”
Or take the case of the Gills, father and son. Alexander Gill, senior, was High Master of St. Paul’s School from 1608 to 1635, and is famous as having numbered Milton among his pupils. A degree of fame is also his for the unsparing use of the rod, which he wielded42 even upon his son, the under master:
“‘O good Sir,’ then cry’d he, ‘In private let it be, And do not sauce me openly.’”
In his will we see that as he had ruled in his lifetime, so he would have his wife rule after him. “And although it may seem needless to charge my sons so professed44 how they should honour their mother, yet I hold it fit in and by this my last will to leave this precept45 unto them [Pg 17] as my last remembrance, charging them as much as I can that, as they hope for a blessing of God to be with them, to give her that honour which is due as the law of God and nature bindeth them, and in every thing to harken to her counsel and precept and to obey her and be ruled by her.”
Nor is it surprising to find that another son, Nathaniel, “hath refused my correction,” and that he has an “unthankful and injurious brother.” “To my unthankful and injurious brother Simon Gill I freely forgive all debts which he oweth me, with all demands for other charges of food apparel losses and supplies in his want by which I have been much damnified by him, which in a most charitable accompt would come to above fifty pounds; I forgive, I say, all most freely except one bill of eight pounds, which debt I give to my executrix, with hope she will not be troublesome to him by suit thereof except he become troublesome unto her or her children as his manner hath been towards me and others.”
There are other interesting passages, but as a final touch to the will of this stormy nature it may be noticed that he gives “the dust of this wicked carcase to be buried in the dust.” Altogether his will confirms the opinion of Aubrey in his “Brief Lives,” that “Dr. Gill, the father, was a very ingeniose person, as may appear by his writings. Notwithstanding he had moodes and humours.” [Pg 18]
Sometimes the circumstances suggest romance. “On the morning of the action between the Portland packet and the Temeraire French privateer, off Guadaloupe, on the 14th of October, 1796,” says Kirby’s “Wonderful Museum” (1803), “Mr. Cunningham, a passenger, who, in a previous engagement sustained by the Portland packet with another privateer, had evinced great courage, observed to the captain that he felt a strong impression that his dissolution was at hand; and on the enemy bearing in sight, he went below and made his will, declaring his hour was come; returning to his station on deck, in a few minutes a bullet verified his prediction.”
So it has been again and again, from the case of Mary Stuart, writing her will in her own hand during the last hours before her execution, or of Archbishop Laud48 drawing up his will in the Tower, to the case of Se?or Ferrer, dictating49 his testament50 in the prison chapel51 at Barcelona.
II
Strange histories, it will be seen, lie behind wills, dull and similar as at first sight the majority appears. The history may not always be explicit52, but the suggestion conveyed by some gift or revocation53, some phrase or fact, may often be completed by the reader’s imagination. So Dorothy Skipwith, of Catesby, in Lincolnshire (will dated 1677), “did revoke54 and declare void the legacy55 of twenty guineas mentioned to be [Pg 19] given to Mr. Shomoon, a Frenchman living in Whitehall, which she said she so revoked56 in regard he refused to come to her in the time of her sickness.”
At times we know something of that which lies beneath the surface of the will. The Duchesse d’Angoulême (died October 19, 1851) forgives, “following the example of her parents,” all who have injured her, expressing her love for France and her gratitude57 to the Emperor of Austria. And towards the end she states: “I wish all the sheets, papers or books written by my hand, which are in my strong-box or my tables, to be burnt by the executors of my will.” These, we are told, were prayers, meditations58, notes which might have caused hurt to the feelings of others, lists of charities and books of account. The will is signed in the name of “Marie Thérèse de France, Comtesse de Maines,” the title which she took in her days of exile.
Anne Davis, spinster, whose will is dated November 14, 1803, reveals, or half-reveals, some family trouble. She directs that “in case of my demise59 my poor decayed body to be decently interred60 in the burying ground of Marybone upon the grave where my late dear aunt and friend lays; her name is on a stone, and I desire mine to be put on the stone.... I desire to have a patent coffin61 lined on the outside with the best black cloth, nails, etc., etc., and every thing that is proper on this occasion, the best hearse and one coach with the black velvet62 [Pg 20] feathers and porters. I desire Mr. William Joachim, Mrs. Joachim, Miss Joachim and Mrs. Toby ... to see my poor decayed body decently buried upon my dear aunt’s grave,” and “I desire Mr. William Joachim, my executor, will advertise for my brother Mr. William Davis. The last time I ever saw him was the 8th of May, 1794, for he desired to see my dear aunt when she lay dead. He said he was going down to Portsmouth in the agency line. May God forgive him for all his unkindness to me; I freely forgive him, and please God that he may make a proper use of what I have left him.”
Edward Roberts, bachelor, of the parish of St. Clement’s Danes (but when he made his will in July, 1664, on board the Great Eagle), was open and emotional: “Whensoever it shall please God to call me out of the world, whether I die by sea or by land, I do give will and bequeath all that ever I have or shall leave behind me at my death ... unto Elizabeth Jones whom I love with all my heart and above all women in the world. And if I had a thousand pounds or neversomuch she should have every groat of it.”
It needs no subtlety63 of imagination to diagnose his case; but one would like to unravel64 the story of romantic tenderness that seems to lurk65 behind the simple will of a Richard Mathews, servant to Hugh Hamersley, of Spring Gardens, St. Martins-in-the-Fields. He died (was it of love?) on or before the 10th of October, 1779. His will was dated October 5th, [Pg 21] and after some legacies66, including one to Mrs. Collis, his “late worthy fellow-servant,” he continues: “It is my further desire that 5s. apiece may be given to the men as carries me to church, and it is my further desire to be buried in a decent manner and my body laid by a young woman who died at the Rev10. Mr. Ellet’s some time ago.”
That the lover is careful to choose suitably his last resting-place we know from the will of Chrysostom in “Don Quixote.” “‘This morning that famous student-shepherd called Chrysostom died, and it is rumoured67 that he died of love for that devil of a village girl, the daughter of Guillermo the Rich, she that wanders about the wolds here in the dress of a shepherdess.’ ‘You mean Marcela?’ said one. ‘Her I mean,’ answered the goatherd; ‘and the best of it is, he has directed in his will that he is to be buried in the fields like a Moor68, and at the foot of the rock where the Cork-tree spring is, because, as the story goes (and they say he himself said so) that was the place where he first saw her.’” With similar sentiment Sir Miles St. John, in Lord Lytton’s “Lucretia,” by his will requested that a small miniature in his writing-desk should be placed in his coffin. “That last injunction was more than a sentiment: it bespoke69 the moral conviction of the happiness the original might have conferred on his life.” [Pg 22]
In fiction we may realise what terrible deeds or poignant70 memories are revived and referred to by the clauses of a will. Thus in Mrs. Henry Wood’s “George Canterbury’s Will” we know, when Mrs. Dawke’s will is read, that her husband is the murderer of her child: “To my present husband ... five-and-twenty pounds, wherewith to purchase a mourning ring, which he will wear in remembrance of my dear child, Thomas Canterbury.”
In real wills such knowledge is often hidden from us. Yet innumerable touches, tender or strange, harsh or sweet, break through their monotony; ways of life and attitudes of thought, records of deeds or feelings long ago, are brought vividly before us. Do not the romance and spirit of England live again in such a document as this? “Right Worshipful, I safely arrived in the Downs from the Straits the 22nd day of March last and got to London on Easter Eve, where I presented myself to the Dean of Westminster and other friends. But on Easter Monday I was engaged by Sir William Penn to go along with him to the Great Fleet under the command of his Royal Highness the Duke of York, the which I readily embraced as thinking it my duty to appear wheresoever I may in probability do the Church, my Prince, and my Country, the best service possible. I am at present constituted chaplain on board the Unicorn71 where the Lord Peterborough is to sail. Our fleet I can assure you is in a gallant72 posture73, lying not far from Harwich, at all points ready for action. I freely refer myself to the goodness of my God, who hath [Pg 23] preserved me hitherto in many dangers (viz.) of battle shipwrecks74 fire and storms, etc. And if I shall be taken out of the world my desires are as heretofore (viz.) that such moneys of mine as are in your Worship’s hands, or aught else that may be any ways due to me from Christ Church, be about Michaelmas next, 1665, paid unto Alexander Vincent, the eldest75 son of my brother Ambrose Vincent, or if he shall not then be living unto my eldest surviving nephew whether by brother or sister. I wish all prosperity and happiness to yourself, Dr. Allestry and my friends in Christ Church, and remain your much obliged and true friend and servant John Vincent. (From aboard the Unicorn riding with the Fleet not far from Harwich April 12, 1665.)”
But the seafaring spirit has not always run so high, as the will of a Richard French reveals. “At the Cowes in the Isle76 of Wight the 18th of July, 1636. Whereas by reason of certain disabilities which I have found in myself more than ordinary this voyage, every man being almost disencouraged in respect of the smallness of the vessel77 and desperateness of the journey, because that my mate Robert Anderson hath by his no small industry and to the maintaining of my credit undertaken this voyage with me and still carefully pursued, I do here in this paper confirm and refer over unto him by deed of gift, conditionally78 he goes this journey and I miscarry, all the goods belonging to me in the [Pg 24] pinnace.” Evidently the testator did miscarry, for the document was proved on the 19th of August, a month and a day after its execution.
III
Thomas Eden, whose will is dated at Wimbledon, August 14, 1803, only whets79 the appetite: “I, Thomas Eden, of sound mind and understanding, though gradually failing in personal strength from advance in years and what I have gone through in my life, do make this my last will and testament.” But many curious items of biography emerge from wills. Sometimes they are accidental or incidental; at other times the testator makes much of them. Philip, fifth Earl of Pembroke, bequeathed “to Thomas May, whose nose I did break at a mascarade, five shillings.” Recently a legacy was left to one whom the testator had nearly burned to death, another to one whom a testator had saved from drowning. “I have been very unfortunate,” wrote a lady lately deceased. “I thought to have a companion for the rest of my days by remarrying, but am once more stranded81 and alone.”
Sir John Gayer, an illustrious seventeenth-century citizen of London, is still remembered in an annual sermon at St. Katharine Cree, Leadenhall Street, preached by direction of his will in commemoration of his escape from a lion on the coast of Africa. Ezekiel Nash (will [Pg 25] dated March 27, 1800) left a charitable legacy for his preservation82 in an engagement with a French frigate83 on March the 8th, 1762. A late manager to a shipping84 company directed that on his tomb should be inscribed85 the words:
“Let on his soul kind judgment86 fall, Who did his best for one and all,”
and the following summary of his achievements: “He helped to change paddle tugs87 to screw, to initiate88 high pressure and twin screws for ocean-going steamers, to introduce the Steam line Conference with the rebate89 system, and to start the Shipping Federation90, the London Shipping Exchange, and the British Empire League.”
Richard Forster, in his will dated November 15, 1728, opens with some remarks on the Church and his position therein. “In the name of God Amen. I Richard Forster, an unworthy minister of Jesus Christ, advanced into the order of Christian91 priesthood according to the usage of the Church of England, the soundest and best constituted part of the Catholic Church, (a great number of whose parochial clergy92 have been unhappily deprived of a great part of their revenues by the injurious appropriation93 of tythes glebes and parsonage houses under the iniquity94 of Popery,) and intending to spend the remainder of my days in the communion and service of this Church, having by the providence95 of God and the kindness of my friends been first promoted to the Rectory of [Pg 26] Beckly, in Sussex, and after to that of Crundale, in Kent, and lastly to the Vicarage of Eastchurch, in Sheppey, (the defects of my duty in all which parishes I pray God of His infinite mercy to pardon,) and being advanced into the seventy-eighth year of my age by the distinguishing favour of God with a sound mind and memory, though with a weak body, I do make and ordain96 this my last will and testament.”
John Wakring’s will, proved June 14, 1665, was written at Portsmouth in the form of a letter from on board the Resolution, November 23, 1664: “Mistress Elizabeth, my kind love and best respects presented unto you, hoping these few lines will find you in good health as I was at the present writing hereof. I have presumed, hoping it will be acceptable, to acquaint you of the receival of your letter wherein I received much joy to hear of your welfare. I should think myself the happiest man alive if I could attain97 so much time as for to see you before my departure, but since God has decreed it otherwise by reason of much business imposed upon me, nevertheless I would have you accept of all that is mine as yours if God shall deal with me otherwise than I do expect. In the meantime I would entreat98 you for to have a great care of what you have in your custody99, because it may stand you in good stead hereafter, which is the letter of attorney which I left you in for the receival of all that is due unto me and my servant from the time I came [Pg 27] out as clerk and everything else. Furthermore, I give you to understand that I am at the time Sir William Barkley’s cook and am in very much respect on all sides, and hope, for all these wars, I shall see you in good estate if God permit. So with my humble100 duty to your mother, and my kind love to your brother and sister and to all the rest of my friends in general, I rest yours, if God bless and permit me life, John Wakring.”
It is in these informal wills, naturally, that such delightful101 glimpses are more frequently obtained, and perhaps one other example may be tolerated. It is late in the next century, very different in tone from the seventeenth-century heroes, John Vincent or John Wakring. Jane Bowdler was an invalid102, a spinster of Bath. The language of her will, proved March 4, 1786, is characteristic of the century. “My dear and ever honoured father, from the great indulgence you have always expressed for me I am led to believe that it will still be a satisfaction to you to comply with some little requests of mine, and therefore I will mention a few things which I would beg you to do for me after my death. And first I beg to repeat the sincerest assurances of my duty love and gratitude to you and my mother, and I pray to God to bless you and reward you for all your kindness to me. I wish these sentiments had been better expressed in my lifetime, but I fear my ill health and loss of speech have sometimes made me a burden to my friends as well as in some degree to myself. These considerations will, [Pg 28] however, I trust contribute to reconcile them to my death, since the enjoyment104 of society has long been in a great measure taken away. Let us rejoice in an humble but comfortable hope that we shall meet again in a far happier state to be separated no more. May God of His infinite mercy grant it.”
IV
Above all, the thought that a will is nothing if not a preparation for death gives to its study the ultimate significance. For what can be more momentous105 than decisions then; what more humorous, in the older and deeper sense, than foibles and follies106 at such an hour? What can be more arresting than the persistence107 which prompts a man at the approach of death to seal his life’s work, evil or beneficent, with the sanction of his will? “Even on the verge108 of the grave he sought to slake109 his ambition by unlawful means; and he succeeded,” says Dr. August Fournier of Napoleon I. Charles V., in a codicil111 executed a few days before his death, solemnly exhorts112 his son to extirpate113 the heresy114 of Luther. Se?or Ferrer dictates115 his will in the prison chapel at Barcelona, emphasising the salient points of his belief. There is no retractation or regret.
John Boyce, “he being desperately116 wounded in one of his legs the 25th day of July, 1666, in the engagement with the Hollanders” sets his hand and seal to his testament “first in the presence of my God above, and [Pg 29] in the presence of us John King, Robert Goulding.” There is a fine simplicity and solemnity in that. The Noble Robert Dunant, whose will is dated at Geneva, August 12, 1768, writes simply and solemnly too. “I the underwritten Counsellor of State, having first humbled117 myself before God and implored118 the assistance of His good Spirit to conduct me wisely as well in the present as all the other acts of my life, have made and do make my will in the following manner.”
But casual and worldly wills are common enough. A few words on a picture-postcard, “All for mother” on an old envelope, have been thought enough, or have proved enough for a valid103 will. Mrs. Lirriper’s legacy, readers of Dickens will remember, was written in pencil on the back of the ace11 of hearts. “To the authorities. When I am dead pray send what is left, as a last legacy, to Mrs. Lirriper, eighty-one Norfolk Street, Strand80, London.”
With others the preparation for death is a pious literary task. Recently a little volume found its way into the writer’s hands from the Maison du Sacré C?ur de Beauvais, a “Testament Spirituel,” which, though not executed for a court of law, must have found favour in the courts of heaven. In wills, indeed, we see the romance of souls. Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant dedications120 of the soul to God, whether in the fifteenth or the sixteenth century, are often very beautiful and touching121. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries the [Pg 30] custom and tradition have departed. Only occasionally a Catholic or a fervent Evangelical recalls forgotten days. Some examples of eighteenth-century piety will be given later, but these essays would not be complete without other illustrations.
As an example from Catholic England the following is typical: “In the name of God, Amen. I Dame122 Anne Haydon, widow, being in my whole mind and of good memory the XVIIth day of December in the year of our Lord God 1509, and in the first year of King Henry the VIIIth, make this my testament and last will in manner and form following, that is to say, First, gracious Jesu, I as a sinful creature by reason of my demerits not worthy to be accepted into the holy company of heaven to continue in that holy place, Lord, without Thy great and large mercy and grace, (the which through Thy Passion to every Christian man meekly123 and lowly asking graciously grantest): Wherefore I now being in my full and whole mind and in perfect love and charity, and in steadfast124 faith, ask and cry Thee, Jesu, our Lady Saint Mary Thy blessed Mother, all the holy company of heaven, and all the world, mercy, trusting verily that through Thy Passion and with the succour and relief of that gracious Lady Thy Mother and Maid to sinners to her calling for help of her great pity greatly and very comfortable: Wherefore, blessed Jesu, I commit my soul to Thee and to Thy blessed Mother our Lady Saint Mary and to all saints of heaven through the mean and help of St. John [Pg 31] Baptist, St. Anne, St. Mary Magdalen and St. Christopher mine avouers. And my sinful body to be buried in the Chapel of St. Luke in the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity of Norwich, if I die in Norwich or in Norfolk.”
Such is a common form, diversified125 by individual and expressive126 variations, of wills in those days. The Reformation changed the form but not the spirit of these avowals. “I render back,” wrote Sarah Ward46 in 1662, “into the hands of my God and Creator the soul I received from Him, humbly127 desiring His fatherly goodness for the infinite merit of His Son Jesus Christ and His all-sufficient Passion, (on which I wholly rely, disclaiming128 any confidence in saints or angels,) that He would make it partaker of eternal life and a citizen of His heavenly Kingdom. My body I bequeath to the earth whence it was taken, firmly believing the resurrection of the dead, and that I shall rise again in the last day, and see God in my flesh with the self-same eyes I now use and no other. The manner of interring129 it I leave wholly to my executors ... being no farther solicitous130 for so contemptible131 a remnant than as it is yet the hospital of a reasonable soul.”
But with the fervent eloquence133 of Thomas Peniston, of St. Margaret’s, near the City of Rochester, Esquire (proved the 5th of September, 1601), these considerations must be concluded. “In the Name of the most holy and incomprehensible Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, in Person [Pg 32] three, in power one, almighty134 and everlasting135 God, Creator of Heaven and Earth and all therein contained, to whose glorious Deity136 I poor wretch137 His creature do from the bottom of my heart and soul render most humble and most hearty138 thanks for all His innumerable benefits bestowed139 on me, as my creation of nought141, my redemption by that divine mystery of the Incarnation and generous Passion of my sweet Saviour142 Jesus Christ, when I was through the offence of my forefather143 Adam become worse than nought, my continual preservation in the life present, mine election to Salvation144 before the foundations of the world were laid, my assured hope of glorification145 in time to come through His infinite mercy by the mediation146 of Jesus Christ, and for all whatsoever147 hath befallen me of good since my first entrance into this vale of misery148, acknowledging them all to have proceeded merely of His unspeakable bounty149 and goodness without any spark of merit or desert in myself, and so much the more am I bound to Him for the same, most humbly beseeching151 His most glorious Majesty152 to accept in good part this my sincere sacrifice of thanksgiving as the only oblation153 which my poor sin-distressed soul in all humbleness154 of heart and ferventest spiritual zeal155 can offer unto Him for all those His manifold graces towards me, and that it will please Him for His mercy’s sake in the blood of that immaculate Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, to vouchsafe156 to continue His gracious goodness towards me both now and at all times hereafter, and [Pg 33] at the present by the assistance of His Holy Spirit so to direct me in the setting down of this my last will and testament as the same may best sort to His glory, my comfort, and the good of those whom it may concern.... And first as the most principal part I do with a free and cheerful heart bequeath my soul unto almighty God the Creator and Redeemer thereof, most humbly beseeching Him for His mercies’ sake through Jesus Christ the only begotten157 and well-beloved Son of God the Father, in whom He is well pleased, to receive the same into His most holy and gracious protection, cleansing158 and purging159 the sinful deformities thereof with the precious blood of that my only sweet Saviour, and to bury all my transgressions160 and offences of what nature or kind soever in the bottom of the sea, that they never rise up in judgment against me, but that I (though of myself the most miserable161 sinner alive), through His infinite and unspeakable mercy by His loving imputation162 of the perfect righteousness and true obedience163 of that my most sweet Saviour Jesus Christ, who being perfect God became man, and after full performance of God’s most holy laws and commandments endured the most horrible tortures of death thereby164 to save my poor soul from the intolerable and endless torments165 of hell fire, which of itself (ah woe166 is me therefore) it hath deserved, and to make it inheritable to the unspeakable joys in Heaven; of which His most gracious favour being [Pg 34] throughly assured by His holy Spirit in my soul which continually warranteth me to sing all honour, glory and praise unto my dear Father in Heaven, who in His mercy, (which by many thousand degrees exceedeth my manifold transgressions,) hath created and adopted me to be an heir of His heavenly and everlasting kingdom, I most assuredly hope and undoubtedly167 expect that whenso it shall please His incomprehensible Deity the fullness of time to be expired, this poor soul of mine being through His all-working power knit again to this my flesh which then shall be made incorruptible and immortal168, I shall without end in Heaven enjoy the sight of my most glorious and everlasting God my Creator, Redeemer and Comforter, and there for ever with the holy saints, angels and archangels, laud honour praise and worship His most holy Name to my infinite unspeakable and sempiternal comfort. And as concerning my body which I hope I shall be always at the pleasure of my good God most ready to yield up, I will that after my death the same shall be buried in decent sort by the direction of my executors in the Cathedral Church of Rochester according to my degree and calling.”
V
It will readily be realised how wills from time to time illustrate169 the bare facts of history, with what vividness they might invest them if more frequently cited. Thus Margaret, Lady Hungerford, in 1476 enjoins170 [Pg 35] her heirs not to disturb any of the alienations of her property, which she had been obliged to make owing to “seasons of trouble time late passed,” viz., the Wars of the Roses. Richard Lumley, Knight171, Lord Viscount Lumley, writes on the 13th of April, in the thirteenth year of Charles II.: “And could I have done more for my family than I have done I would; and had done much more for them had not I had so great losses by the late calamitous172 times.”
Richard Burnand, of Knaresborough (1591), gives to his cousin “Dynnys Baynebrigge and his wife two silver goblets173, worth in value XLs a piece, with my arms and name upon them, and they to have the use of them during their lives; and after their deceases I give the same goblets unto Anne Faux and Elizabeth Faux.” To Guy Faux he gives “two angels, to make him a ring.” This Guy is the celebrated174 and almost mythical175 figure in whose honour bonfires still flare176 on November 5th. Anne and Elizabeth were his sisters, and Mrs. Baynebrigge, widow of Edward Fawkes, their mother. Moreover, by the wills of Robert Wilcox in 1627, and of Luke Jackson in 1630, sermons were directed to be preached yearly on November 5th in honour of the discovery of the plot.
In days to come, perhaps, peculiar4 interest will attach to the will of Mlle. Meunier, the Frenchwoman who sympathised with the views of Ferrer and left him a considerable legacy some ten years before his execution. But who can estimate the value of Raisley Calvert’s legacy to Wordsworth, whereby the poet was relieved of the deadening care of money-making? [Pg 36]
“A youth—(he bore The name of Calvert—it shall live, if words Of mine can give it life,) in firm belief That by endowments not from me withheld177 Good might me furthered—in his last decay By a bequest178 sufficient for my needs Enabled me to pause for choice, and walk At large and unrestrained, nor damped too soon By mortal cares. Himself no Poet, yet Far less a common follower179 of the world, He deemed that my pursuits and labours lay Apart from all that leads to wealth, or even A necessary maintenance insures, Without some hazard to the finer sense; He cleared a passage for me, and the stream Flowed in the bent180 of Nature.”
Changes and controversies181 in the Church find an echo in wills. Dr. Sanderson, Bishop of Lincoln, whose will was made about three weeks before his death (January 29, 1662-3) professes182 his faith at a significant date: “And here I do profess43 that as I have lived so I desire and—by the grace of God—resolve, to die in the communion of the Catholic Church of Christ, and a true son of the Church of England: which, as it stands by law established, to be both in doctrine183 and worship agreeable to the word of God, and in the most material points of both conformable to the faith and practice of the godly Churches of Christ in the primitive184 and purer times, I do firmly believe: led so to [Pg 37] do, not so much from the force of custom and education—to which the greatest part of mankind owe their particular different persuasions185 in point of Religion,—as upon the clear evidence of truth and reason, after a serious and impartial186 examination of the grounds, as well of Popery as Puritanism, according to that measure of understanding, and those opportunities which God hath afforded me: and herein I am abundantly satisfied that the schism187 which the Papists on the one hand, and the superstitions188 which the Puritans on the other, lay to our charge, are very justly chargeable upon themselves respectively. Wherefore I humbly beseech150 Almighty God, the Father of mercies, to preserve the Church by His power and providence, in peace, truth, and godliness, evermore to the world’s end: which doubtless He will do, if the wickedness and security of a sinful people—and particularly the sins that are so rife189, and seem daily to increase among us, of unthankfulness, riot and sacrilege—do not tempt132 His patience to the contrary. And I also further humbly beseech Him, that it would please Him to give unto our gracious Sovereign, the reverend Bishops190, and the Parliament, timely to consider the great danger that visibly threatens this Church in point of religion by the late great increase of Popery, and in point of revenue by sacrilegious inclosures; and to provide such wholesome191 and effectual remedies, as may prevent the same before it be too late.” [Pg 38]
Similarly, Richard Ward, whose will is dated February 6, 1664-5, bequeaths his “body to the earth whence it was taken, to be decently and Christianly buried according to the order of the Church of England ... wishing and praying from my very soul that this sinful and unthankful kingdom may never forget or forfeit192 that most miraculous193 mercy of God in restoring and establishing it.” Such contemporary comments are fascinating; so, too, the spirit of the same testator who dedicates his “young tender and only son George Ward” to the service of the Church, “if God shall so dispose his heart, which I trust He will because I am not without hopes that God Almighty did accept of my solemn dedication119 of him before he was formed in the womb. And the good God be his guide and portion.” It is not surprising to find this gentle spirit “languishing under the fatherly visitation of my most gracious God, to whose good pleasure I with all cheerfulness submit,” and speaking of his “dear sweet wife” and “dear and tenderly loving wife.”
The Restoration is a landmark194 in history. But there are passages in wills which recall the clash of controversialists forgotten now, yet provocative195 of fierce animosities in their time. Edward Evanson, who became Rector of Tewkesbury in 1769, was a modernist and innovator196, a Richard Meynell of his day. In reading the services he would adapt words or phrases at pleasure, and in the lessons point out errors of translation. But a crisis was provoked by a sermon on the Resurrection preached at Easter, 1771. He was prosecuted197 in the Consistory Court of [Pg 39] Gloucester, for “depraving the public worship of God contained in the liturgy198 of the Church of England, asserting the same to be superstitious199 and unchristian, preaching, writing, and conversing200 against the creeds201 and the divinity of our Saviour, and assuming to himself the power of making arbitrary alterations202 in his performance of the public worship.” Finally the charge fell through, on technical grounds, in 1777, but Mr. N. Havard, town clerk of Tewkesbury, published a narrative203 of the case. After a life of controversy204 Evanson died on September 25, 1805.
We can trace out bequests205 both for and against this troubler of the peace. Penelope Taylor, of Worcester, a widow with views beyond the circle of her home, gave by a codicil dated July 5, 1776, to Mr. Havard ￡200 to testify her approbation206 of his conduct “in the prosecution207 against Mr. Evanson, Vicar of Tewkesbury, and toward the expense of that laudable suit in the defence of Christianity.”
But Dr. Messenger Monsey, with no measured language, in his will dated twelve years later, upholds the other side. The controversy was not forgotten. Dr. Monsey was a contemporary of Dr. Johnson, one who “talked bawdy” in the latter’s less than elegant phrase. His will, in several respects noteworthy, must appear again. He had given, he says, by a previous will an annuity208 of ￡50 to Mr. Evanson; but since he had declined it, the testator substituted a nominal209 gift of ￡10 per annum, [Pg 40] to manifest his great regard “for my friend Mr. Edward Evanson, and the opinions I have of his abilities and integrity in standing47 forth210 so ably as he has done in support of reason and true religion against the nonsense jargon211 and impiety212 so avowedly213 professed by a set of A. B————ps, D————ns, P————ts, and D————cons, who stood forth in defence of creeds articles and subscriptions214 without suffering or promoting any reformation for establishing the purity and simplicity of reasonable Christianity.”
Last of all died Evanson. His will is disappointing. It opens thus: “I Edward Evanson think it my duty under present circumstances to dispose of that portion of worldly property with which it hath pleased the divine providence of God to bless me.” Otherwise there is no reference to religion, none to his stormy life, save this incidental remark: “Conscientious objections to the Liturgy of the Established Church having prevented my standing godfather for my brother-in-law Mr. William Alchorne’s son, which I should otherwise have done, in lieu of the customary baptismal gifts I now give and bequeath to Mr. Wm. Alchorne aforesaid the sum of ￡50 in trust and for the sole use of his son Evanson Alchorne.” His wife Dorothy was residuary legatee, and the will, witnessed by three servants, was dated April 8, 1805, and proved on October 16th. He was a fighter; but not one of those who make militant215 wills, proclaiming, as it were with the last breath, their prepossessions and beliefs. [Pg 41]
VI
“When London’s plague, that day by day enrolled216 His thousands dead, nor deigned217 his rage to abate218 Till grass was green in silent Bishopsgate, Had come and passed like thunder—still, ’tis told, The monster, driven to earth, in hovels old And haunts obscure, though dormant219, lingered late, Till the dread220 Fire, one roaring wave of fate, Rose, and swept clean his last retreat and hold.” William Watson.
It was to be expected that the plagues would leave their mark on these records, and very tragic such traces are. Many were driven to make their wills while still in health, but others delayed till the sickness had seized them. Of the latter more will be quoted hereafter; a few of the former may here illustrate the plague of 1665. It is strange that Defoe did not embellish221 his narrative with documents so vivid.
Death came swiftly, nor was it possible always to set the will down in writing. “Memorandum222 that on or about the nineteenth day of July in the year of our Lord God 1665 Edward Thompson, late of the parish of St. Paul’s in Covent Garden in the County of Middlesex, shoemaker, being then of good health of body and of good or perfect memory, but his house being then shut up and visited with the plague, and one of his children shortly before dying in the house of the same disease, he declared his last will and testament nuncupative, or by word of mouth, in these or the like words following, that is to say: It is my last [Pg 42] will and desire that, if it please God to take me out of this world by this present visitation, that then my loving friend and cousin, Mr. Andrew Caldwall, shall take care of my son Alexander Thompson, (being then his only surviving child) and shall bring him up and put him forth an apprentice223, and when my said son shall come to full age to give him a just account of my estate and pay unto him what shall be then remaining thereof in his hands. But if it shall please God that my said son Alexander shall die also, then after the death of my said son I give to my two brothers in Scotland and to their children 1/- apiece. And all the rest of my goods, chattels224 and estate whatsoever I give and bequeath unto the said Andrew Caldwall, in regard I have been more beholding225 unto him than to my brothers or to any friend in the world.” Evidently he was struck down swiftly, for on the 5th of August following this will was proved.
We see the fear of death hanging over the town, and how hastily wills were prepared. “My mother desired me on her death bed to be a brother to my sister Mary Grover, and if she lived to give her in money ten pounds, (and) a gold ring which was my mother’s.... If it should please God to take me away, and my sister alive, I desire she should have all that is her’s.... John Hunt will be one to see that it be not baffled away but carefully looked to for the good of my poor sister.... And my [Pg 43] desire is that she be defrauded226 of none, but that care be taken for the child’s bringing up. As for my burial accordingly to the discretion227 of my overseers: if healthy times decently, if other times according to their appointment. This I writ3 myself for fear I should be deprived by sudden death.... The trunk at Mr. Hall’s and chest and box are top full of the best of linen228 and other things, and my trunk is top full at the Tavern229.... If I die I pray let this be engrossed230 and put for my will in court. Written 1st September, 1665.” (John Grover, proved May 13, 1666.)
Henry Dickens, of St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields, cordwainer, makes his will “being at this present sick and weak in body, but of sound and perfect mind and memory, for which I give all possible praise and thanks to Almighty God, and not knowing what may befall me in these sad times of God’s heavy visitation with the plague, (dated September 6, 1665, proved May 4, 1666);” Ralph Tymberlake, tallow chandler, “calling to mind the great uncertainty231 of this life, especially at this time when the arrows of God’s wrath232 are amongst us,” (dated September 9, 1665, proved September 20th); and John Garland thus: “The Lord’s hand being evidently gone out against this city, and not knowing how soon the stroke of death may be my portion, in order thereunto I make this my last will and testament. And in the first place I commit my soul into the arms of my Saviour the Lord Jesus in hope of His appearing at [Pg 44] the resurrection of the dead, that when He appears I also may appear with Him in glory; and my body to be buried in a decent place and without funeral pomp, and so deep in the earth as not unnaturally233 to take up other men’s bones or too easily to scratch up my own by others.” (Dated August 15, 1665, proved January 5th following.) What bitter irony234 that at such a time he wishes to be buried “without funeral pomp”!
But peculiarly pathetic is the will of Henry Mabank. It is a letter to his mother, in the country, perhaps, and dreading235 every hour to hear that her son was stricken. It was proved on May 4, 1666. “Dear Mother, my duty to you remembered, and my love to my brothers and sisters and to Mr. Rudd and Mistress Rudd and Billy and to Henry Chandler, hoping you are all in good health as I am at this present writing, thanks be to God. Dear Mother, my desire and will is, that if you never see me more that my brother George and sister Betty and sister Ann shall have ￡100 which is upon bond equally divided between them.... Dear Mother, if it please God that I live till the 7th of August there will be ￡10 due to me from my master and ￡3 due the 20th of August upon bond. This ￡13 I will leave to your disposing. I am not afraid of the sickness, yet it is very near our house. I pray excuse me from writing every week; you shall hear of my welfare in Mrs. Rudd’s letters. So in haste I rest, Your dutiful son till death, Henry Mabank. July the 20th, 1665.” [Pg 45]
Finally, the horrors of the plague and its attendant heroisms are recalled by the will of Sir Edmund Bury Godfrey, proved April 14, 1679. His will is otherwise remarkable236, consistent with his fine independent character, and this opportunity may be taken for quoting it in part. How little his wishes were observed students of his life will know, and they will know also how peculiar were the circumstances of his death, which are briefly237 related at the close of the following essay. “I desire my executors ... to cause my body to be privately238 buried in the meanest place of burial belonging to that parish or place wherein I shall die but not in the Church, this to be performed without pomp or pageantry, not to be accompanied with numerous attendants either of friends or relations the which as I affected239 not in my lifetime I would not have imposed on me being dead: to that end, and to avoid being troublesome to the world and especially to the streets when dead, I desire to be buried very early in the morning or very late at night with as much privateness as may be, without any solemn invitation of my acquaintances or kindred as also without any funeral sermon or other harangue240, which I do hereby forbid, any monument or other memorial of stone or brass241 to be made for me, hoping that my failings will be buried with me in the grave without any partial remembrance of evil or good actions, if any such have been, which are so called at the [Pg 46] relator’s pleasure. As for the Charity which I have for some years bestowed on the poor of the parish of St. Martin’s in the Fields aforesaid, viz. 10/-in bread on every Lord’s Day or on some day at the beginning of each week, my will is that my executors ... do jointly242 and severally take care and continue to do the same by themselves for the space of ten years from and after the time of my decease.... And I do further will that the Charity by me given of 2/-per week in bread to the poor of the parish of Selling being the place of my birth[1] ... be weekly continued to be given ... in the same manner during the same time and on the like terms as are already mentioned in the behalf of the poor of the parish of St. Martin’s in the Fields aforesaid, and be continued after the determination of twenty-one years on the same terms therein expressed at the discretion of my executors their heirs or executors and no otherwise. Item: I give unto my brother Mr. Peter Godfrey, if he shall be living at the time of my death and not else, one hundred pounds instead of my great silver flagon once intended him whereon are engraven His Majesty’s Royal Arms with my own adjoined, and was so given unto me by order of the King and Council in memory of the service which God enabled me to perform towards the visited poor in that dreadful year of plague 1665, the which I am always to remember [Pg 47] with humility243 and true thankfulness.... And I do particularly give unto my brother Mr. Michael Godfrey my great flagon aforementioned of the King’s gift.”
After the plague, the fire. That naturally does not loom244 large in wills, but references may be found. Thus Edmund Calamy, “minister of the gospel,” whose will was dated October 4, 1666, and proved November 14th, gave to his “dear and loving wife,” Anne Calamy, “all the ground whereon my house stood which was lately burned down, called or known by the name and sign of the Rose, and was situate and being in St. Nicholas Lane, London, and all the timber and all the materials which did belong to the same that yet remain unburned, (if any be).” “And as for the manner of my burial, my desire is to be buried in the ruins of Aldermanbury Church; and in regard of my many children my will is that, besides mourning unto my relations, nothing be given at my funeral, not doubting that my friends and acquaintances, who shall come to perform their last office of love to me, will not come out of expectation of anything, but out of pure love and respect to the memory of their deceased friend.” This Edmund Calamy was committed to Newgate on January 6, 1663, the first Nonconformist who suffered for disobedience to the Act of Uniformity. Set free by order of the King, he was driven through the ruins of London, and the sight, it is said, broke his heart. He died on October 29, 1666, and was buried in the ruins of his church, “as near to the place where his pulpit had stood as they could guess.” [Pg 48]
Lastly, Thomes Rich (dated July 31, 1672), devised a messuage and premises245 in Lime Street, St. Andrew Undershaft, the rents to be distributed as to 40s. yearly to the minister of the parish to preach there two sermons, one on New Year’s Day, the other on the third Tuesday in September, in thankfulness to God for the preservation of the parish from the Fire.
VII
Appended to the will of Thomas Appletree, a lengthy246 document, is the following memorandum: “Be it remembered that on Saturday the one and thirtieth day of March last past before the date hereof (April 27th, 1666) Thomas Appletree, of Dadington, ... Esq., lying sick in his bed, (his brother William Appletree of Dadington aforesaid, Gentleman, being by his bedside, and Lettice Appletree daughter of the said Thomas Appletree being in the same chamber,) his said brother William Appletree said thus unto him:—Brother I know you have made your will, pray where is it? His answer was:—It is in the little trunk at my bed’s feet.”
In this case the survivors247 seem to have been more anxious than the dying man that the will should not be mislaid. They were not subject to the delicacy248 of feeling of Mr. Weller in a later age. “Samivel,” said Mr. Weller accosting249 his son on the morning of the funeral, “I’ve found [Pg 49] it, Sammy. I thought it wos there.” “Thought wot wos where?” inquired Sam. “Your mother-in-law’s vill, Sammy,” replied Mr. Weller. “In wirtue o’ vich, them arrangements is to be made as I told you on last night respectin’ the funs.” “Wot, didn’t she tell you were it wos?” inquired Sam. “Not a bit on it, Sammy,” replied Mr. Weller. “We wos a adjestin’ our little differences, and I wos a cheerin’ her spirits and bearin’ her up, so that I forgot to ask anythin’ about it. I don’t know as I should ha’ done it indeed, if I had remembered it,” added Mr. Weller, “for it’s a rum sort o’ thing, Sammy, to go a hankerin’ arter anybody’s property, ven you’re assistin’ ’em in illness. It’s like helping250 an outside passenger up, ven he’s been pitched off a coach, and puttin’ your hand in his pocket, vile251 you ask vith a sigh how he finds hisself, Sammy.”
The danger of a will’s loss or destruction preys252 upon some minds, a subject which must be recurred253 to in the last chapter of this book. Various expedients254 to facilitate the finding of the will are adopted. Dr. Thomas Cheyney, Dean of Winchester, whose will was proved in 1760, began a codicil thus: “Whereas by my last will (which may be found in the innermost part of a little walnut255 bureau with one glass door in my long gallery)....” Lord St. Leonards, the lawyer, made every effort for the safety of his will, it being carefully kept in a strong-box and securely guarded, as was thought; but when he died in 1875, and the box was duly opened, the will was missing after all. [Pg 50]
“Thackeray,” says G. W. E. Russell in “Seeing and Hearing,” “did not traffic very much in wills, though, to be sure, Jos. Sedley left ￡1,000 to Becky Sharp, and the opportune256 discovery of Lord Ringwood’s will in the pocket of his travelling-carriage simplified Philip’s career. The insolvent257 swindler, Dr. Firmin, who had robbed his son and absconded258 to America, left his will ‘in the tortoiseshell secretaire in the consulting-room, under the picture of Abraham offering up Isaac.’”
A missing will is the novelist’s delight. In Miss Everett Green’s “A Will in a Well,” among the incoherent sentences of a dying man, the words “Search well” are overheard. But it needed an acute intellect to realise, after every effort had been made to find a satisfactory last will, that it was a disused well that should have been scoured259 for the document. In Mrs. Wilfred Ward’s “Great Possessions” a lost will is found, and redeems260 the testator’s reputation.
No hiding-place is too unlikely. When Lord Hailes died in 1792 no will was to be found. The daughter and only child had given up hope of possessing the mansion-house, but when her servants were locking it up and closing the shutters261, from behind a panel there fell the will which secured her the estate. Harris Norman, a pedlar, who died worth over ￡11,000, left a will which was found in a silk hat; and lately a [Pg 51] curious story was told in the Probate Court of a will found in a clock. The deceased’s husband, it was stated, made a search for a will, but was for some time unsuccessful. As the greater part of his wife’s property consisted of freeholds, in which under an intestacy he would take but a curtesy interest, it was with anxiety that the search was made. Eventually, at the back of a clock on the mantelpiece, the will was found, betrayed by the stopping of the clock. Not unnaturally a charge of forgery262 was set up. It is certainly dangerous, for more than one reason, to hide a will securely away. In this case the judge pronounced in its favour. “What more likely than after the deceased had been worried to make a will for little Hilda (her niece), she thought that she would leave her property to her husband? Was it likely that she would tell any one? Was it not likely that she would put it in some place—as in the back of the clock—which would not be opened for some days after her death?”
On the other hand, the High Court of Bengal, in 1903, refused to admit to probate a will which was stated to have been searched for and found in a tin box formerly263 in the possession of one who was said to have been the custodian264 of the will in his lifetime, and the Court said: “We hold that fraud and deceit were practised at the finding of the will.” Certainly wills are given sometimes to friends for custody, and then themselves bequeathed. Charles Johnson, for instance, seaman265 of the frigate Coventry, in his will dated 1778, stated that he had two [Pg 52] wills in his possession, and these at his death he gave to his friend Henry Dye, belonging to the same ship.
“Memorandum, that on the three and twentieth day of July, 1595, this will was found in the little black trunk of the said Elenor Clarke standing at her bed’s foot, being found locked and opened in the presence of us John Worsopp, William Payne, John Smithe.” The heirs of Charles William Minet, who died in 1874, a descendant of a family which had fled from France at the persecution266 of Protestants in 1686, were not so fortunate. No will could be found, and his manor267-house was sold. But in 1905, on a death in another branch of the family, some neglected cases were examined, and in one of them lay the will. It showed that the estate had been settled in tail, and it was accordingly repurchased, that the testator’s intentions might not be frustrated268.
But intentionally269 or unintentionally, a will may be destroyed. The romance of wills breathes from this codicil to the will of a West Indian merchant. “Grenada, 20th March, 1795. I Simpson Strachan, of said Island, and in the town of St. George Northant, do make this codicil to my last will and testament dated 1786, the day and month I do not at present recollect270 nor can I have recourse to said will by reason of its being buried under ground to prevent its being burnt by the enemy.” Sometimes a happy chance may preserve the tenour of a will. [Pg 53] The estate of a testatrix who died in 1872 being at the time valueless, her will was not proved. But recent improvement in certain property made probate a necessity. The original will, however, had been destroyed in a fire, and only the copy of a copy remained. This copy, though imperfectly transcribed271, was admitted to probate, subject to obvious emendations.
At other times a more serious problem is presented. A will may be destroyed by the testator, or in his presence, but not necessarily so as to revoke or annul272 it. Upon this point interesting actions turn from time to time, and curious family histories are disclosed. It is very difficult to decide in some cases whether the deceased himself destroyed the will or whether at the time he approved of its destruction; the time and temper lost, the publicity273 involved, show how foolish it is to die intestate. If one wishes the estate to devolve under the statutes274 for the distribution of intestates’ property, it is still possible to make a will stating that this is the testator’s desire.
As foolish is it to die intending that a torn will shall be valid. In 1908 a Yorkshireman died, leaving as his will one that had been torn in fragments by his wife. Next day she pinned the pieces together, and the matter was dismissed as a joke. The testator only laughed when it was suggested that trouble might ensue through the tearing of the will. “By the Wills Act a will might be revoked by tearing by the testator or by his authority and in his presence. This will had undoubtedly been torn [Pg 54] up in his presence, but there was no evidence that it had been done by his authority; indeed the evidence was all the other way.... No will could be revived except by a duly executed document, and similarly the testator could have revoked his will by another will had he wished to do so. It was, however, clear that he always regarded the torn will as a good one and examined it to see if it was legible. Something had been said as to all Yorkshiremen being lawyers. They were a hard-headed people, and the testator’s view was quite correct.” So said the learned Judge.
Of all acts which exasperate275 the human sense of piety and justice, perhaps the most exasperating276 is the destruction of a will after the death of the deceased. The destruction of the will of George I. by his son George II. is famous in history, but in view of evidence recently adduced we need not enlarge upon the traditional interpretation277. Some wills, indeed, are better destroyed.
For the purposes of poetry, drama, and fiction, this theme is obvious but not negligible. There is a remarkable similarity between the atmosphere of Sir Arthur Pinero’s dramas and George Crabbe’s poems. Each, too, has chosen in one instance the criminal destruction of a will to build upon, and while Crabbe’s poem, “The Will,” is slight and Pinero’s drama, “The Thunderbolt,” is subtle, yet poet and dramatist are worth comparing.
In “The Will” a father wishes to disinherit his unworthy son and leave his estate to a worthy friend. The friend dissuades278 him, but keeps the first will in case the father should revive it. [Pg 55]
“The Will in hand, the Father musing27 stood, Then gravely answered, ‘Your advice is good; Yet take the paper, and in safety keep; I’ll make another will before I sleep, But if I hear of some atrocious deed, That deed I’ll burn, and yours will then succeed. Two thousand I bequeath you. No reproof279! And there are small bequests—he’ll have enough; For if he wastes, he would with all be poor, And if he wastes not, he will need no more.’ The Friends then parted: this the Will possess’d, And that another made—so things had rest.”
Until the father died.
“Unhappy Youth! e’er yet the tomb was closed, And dust to dust conveyed in peace reposed280, He sought his father’s closet, searched around, To find a will: the important will was found. Well pleased he read, These lands, this manor, all Now call me master! I obey the call! Then from the window looked the valley o’er, And never saw it look so rich before. He viewed the dairy, viewed the men at plough, With other eyes, with other feelings now, And with a new-formed taste found beauty in a cow. The distant swain who drove the plough along Was a good useful slave, and passing strong! In short, the view was pleasing, nay281, was fine, ‘Good as my father’s, excellent as mine!’ Again he reads,—but he had read enough; What followed put his virtue282 to a proof. ‘How this? to David Wright two thousand pounds! A monstrous283 sum! beyond all reason!—zounds! This is your friendship running out of bounds. [Pg 56] Then here are cousins, Susan, Robert, Joe, Five hundred each. Do they deserve it? No! Claim they have none—I wonder if they know What the good man intended to bestow140! This might be paid—but Wright’s enormous sum Is—I’m alone—there’s nobody can come— ’Tis all his hand, no lawyer was employed To write this prose, that ought to be destroyed! To no attorney would my father trust: He wished his son to judge of what was just, As if he said, My boy will find the Will, And, as he likes, destroy it or fulfil. This now is reason, this I understand— What was at his, is now at my command. As for this paper, with these cousiny names, I—’tis my Will—commit it to the flames. Hence! disappear! now am I lord alone: They’ll groan284, I know, but, curse them, let them groan.’”
Needless to say, Wright inquires for the will, and is told that there is none. After expostulation and discreet285 delay, the friend is satisfied that the will is destroyed: to the son’s consternation286 a copy of the first will is produced, and David Wright becomes the lawful110 heir.
In “The Thunderbolt” the simple theme is drawn26 out with quiet but subtle skill. An elder brother dies, rich and with one child only, a natural daughter. The family, upon whom nature has showered neither excellence287 nor wealth, assembles with all the gloom and all the curiosity appropriate to the occasion. It appears that there is no will forthcoming; the daughter therefore will have no share in the estate, the brothers and a sister being entitled between them. But when all is [Pg 57] thought to be settled and safe, when each has devised a new scheme and scale of life, a brother breaks in upon the smug conclave288 announcing that there was a will, but that he had destroyed it. His story breaks down, and the act is traced to his wife who nursed the deceased on his death-bed, accidentally found the will, and after his death deliberately289 destroyed it. The poor daughter finds that her father has not forgotten her; the selfish family is thunderstruck. Such is the character, and hence the name, of the play.
In Sir Arthur Pinero’s drama no lawsuit290 follows, all parties agreeing in a compromise. But in real life probate actions are a rich source of intimate dramas and revelations. From them innumerable details emerge: threats and cajolery, rights and wrongs, loves and hates, stand out with all their tender or terrible insistence291. In fiction inevitably292 they find a place. In “Mr. Meeson’s Will” Sir Henry Rider Haggard has discovered an extraordinary theme, but he has not shown the art which made the ordinary theme of “The Thunderbolt” a subtle and telling play. Mr. Meeson is outraged293 by his nephew’s plain-speaking, which reminds him of his unrighteous dealings, and in a rage cuts him out of his will. The girl on whose behalf the nephew was to be disinherited is, by a strange course of events, thrown with Mr. Meeson on a deserted294 island, with two sailors and a child only besides. In terror of death, which swiftly overtakes him, Mr. Meeson would revive his former will, [Pg 58] but there is nothing with or upon which to write it. The only possible method is to tattoo295 the dying man’s desires upon human flesh, and this is done by one of the sailors upon the back of the tortured girl. She is rescued by a passing ship; and on returning home a probate action, such as never yet had been, was fought out to a triumphant296 conclusion.
Another story, scarcely less remarkable in its own way, is revealed by Edmund Gosse, in “Father and Son,” of an action set in motion by a son who was grievously wronged by one of the “saints”—the sect297 among whom Mr. Gosse’s father held an honourable298 place. This member of the community had persuaded a rich man, well on in years, to board with him, and when he died a will was produced leaving his entire fortune to the “saint” with whom he lodged299. Yet the old man had a son surviving. In time the son came home from overseas, and the universal legatee of the will was arrested. The trial disclosed that the old man had been “converted” by the “saint,” and had disinherited his son as an “unbeliever.” The “saint” had traced the signature to the will by drawing the testator’s fingers over the document, when he was already comatose300. To the last the “saint” declared his belief that he had done no wrong, that it was righteous to wrest301 the money to pious and charitable uses. Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum.
FOOTNOTE
[1] The “Dictionary of National Biography” says: “Born December 23, 1621, probably at Sellinge, Kent.”
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1
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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quaintness
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| n.离奇有趣，古怪的事物 | |
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3
writ
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| n.命令状，书面命令 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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5
vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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6
illiterate
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| adj.文盲的；无知的；n.文盲 | |
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pathos
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| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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11
ace
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| n.A牌；发球得分；佼佼者；adj.杰出的 | |
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illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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worthies
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| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
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14
perusing
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| v.读（某篇文字）( peruse的现在分词 )；（尤指）细阅；审阅；匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览（某篇文字） | |
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dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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peevishness
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| 脾气不好；爱发牢骚 | |
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irresolution
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| n.不决断，优柔寡断，犹豫不定 | |
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sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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intimacies
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| 亲密( intimacy的名词复数 )； 密切； 亲昵的言行； 性行为 | |
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withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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bias
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| n.偏见，偏心，偏袒；vt.使有偏见 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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nurture
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| n.养育，照顾，教育；滋养，营养品；vt.养育，给与营养物，教养，扶持 | |
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Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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industriously
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undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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prate
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| v.瞎扯，胡说 | |
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41
contentious
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| adj.好辩的，善争吵的 | |
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wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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43
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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precept
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| n.戒律；格言 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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48
laud
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| n.颂歌；v.赞美 | |
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dictating
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| v.大声讲或读( dictate的现在分词 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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50
testament
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| n.遗嘱；证明 | |
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51
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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52
explicit
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| adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的 | |
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53
revocation
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| n.废止，撤回 | |
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54
revoke
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| v.废除，取消，撤回 | |
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55
legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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56
revoked
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| adj.[法]取消的v.撤销，取消，废除( revoke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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58
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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59
demise
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| n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让 | |
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60
interred
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| v.埋，葬( inter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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62
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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63
subtlety
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| n.微妙，敏锐，精巧；微妙之处，细微的区别 | |
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64
unravel
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| v.弄清楚（秘密）；拆开，解开，松开 | |
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65
lurk
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| n.潜伏，潜行；v.潜藏，潜伏，埋伏 | |
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66
legacies
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| n.遗产( legacy的名词复数 )；遗留之物；遗留问题；后遗症 | |
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67
rumoured
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| adj.谣传的；传说的；风 | |
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68
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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69
bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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70
poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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71
unicorn
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| n.(传说中的)独角兽 | |
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72
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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73
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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shipwrecks
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| 海难，船只失事( shipwreck的名词复数 )； 沉船 | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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77
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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conditionally
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| adv. 有条件地 | |
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79
whets
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| v.（在石头上）磨（刀、斧等）( whet的第三人称单数 )；引起，刺激（食欲、欲望、兴趣等） | |
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strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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81
stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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82
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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83
frigate
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| n.护航舰，大型驱逐舰 | |
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84
shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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85
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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86
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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87
tugs
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| n.猛拉( tug的名词复数 )；猛拖；拖船v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的第三人称单数 ) | |
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88
initiate
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| vt.开始，创始，发动；启蒙，使入门；引入 | |
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rebate
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| v./n.折扣，回扣，退款；vt.给...回扣，给...打折扣 | |
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90
federation
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| n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会 | |
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91
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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92
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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appropriation
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| n.拨款，批准支出 | |
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iniquity
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| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
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95
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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ordain
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| vi.颁发命令；vt.命令，授以圣职，注定，任命 | |
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attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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100
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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103
valid
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| adj.有确实根据的；有效的；正当的，合法的 | |
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104
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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105
momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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106
follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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persistence
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| n.坚持，持续，存留 | |
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108
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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109
slake
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| v.解渴，使平息 | |
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110
lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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111
codicil
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| n.遗嘱的附录 | |
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112
exhorts
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| n.劝勉者，告诫者，提倡者( exhort的名词复数 )v.劝告，劝说( exhort的第三人称单数 ) | |
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113
extirpate
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| v.除尽，灭绝 | |
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114
heresy
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| n.异端邪说；异教 | |
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115
dictates
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| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
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116
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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117
humbled
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| adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低 | |
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118
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
dedication
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| n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞 | |
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120
dedications
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| 奉献( dedication的名词复数 )； 献身精神； 教堂的)献堂礼； （书等作品上的）题词 | |
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121
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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122
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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123
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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124
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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125
diversified
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| adj.多样化的，多种经营的v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 )；进入新的商业领域 | |
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126
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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127
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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128
disclaiming
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| v.否认( disclaim的现在分词 ) | |
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129
interring
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| v.埋，葬( inter的现在分词 ) | |
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130
solicitous
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| adj.热切的，挂念的 | |
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131
contemptible
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| adj.可鄙的，可轻视的，卑劣的 | |
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132
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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133
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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134
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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135
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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136
deity
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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137
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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138
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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139
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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140
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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141
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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142
saviour
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| n.拯救者，救星 | |
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143
forefather
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| n.祖先；前辈 | |
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144
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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145
glorification
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| n.赞颂 | |
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146
mediation
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| n.调解 | |
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147
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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148
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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149
bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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150
beseech
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| v.祈求，恳求 | |
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151
beseeching
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| adj.恳求似的v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的现在分词 ) | |
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152
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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153
oblation
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| n.圣餐式；祭品 | |
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154
humbleness
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| n.谦卑，谦逊；恭顺 | |
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155
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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156
vouchsafe
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| v.惠予，准许 | |
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157
begotten
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| v.为…之生父( beget的过去分词 )；产生，引起 | |
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158
cleansing
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| n. 净化(垃圾) adj. 清洁用的 动词cleanse的现在分词 | |
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159
purging
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| 清洗； 清除； 净化； 洗炉 | |
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160
transgressions
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| n.违反，违法，罪过( transgression的名词复数 ) | |
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161
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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162
imputation
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| n.归罪，责难 | |
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163
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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164
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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165
torments
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| （肉体或精神上的）折磨，痛苦( torment的名词复数 )； 造成痛苦的事物[人] | |
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166
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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167
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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168
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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169
illustrate
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| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
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170
enjoins
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| v.命令( enjoin的第三人称单数 ) | |
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171
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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172
calamitous
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| adj.灾难的，悲惨的；多灾多难；惨重 | |
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173
goblets
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| n.高脚酒杯( goblet的名词复数 ) | |
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174
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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175
mythical
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| adj.神话的；虚构的；想像的 | |
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176
flare
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| v.闪耀，闪烁；n.潮红；突发 | |
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177
withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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178
bequest
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| n.遗赠；遗产，遗物 | |
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179
follower
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| n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒 | |
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180
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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181
controversies
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| 争论 | |
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182
professes
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| 声称( profess的第三人称单数 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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183
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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184
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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185
persuasions
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| n.劝说，说服（力）( persuasion的名词复数 )；信仰 | |
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186
impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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187
schism
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| n.分派，派系，分裂 | |
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188
superstitions
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| 迷信，迷信行为( superstition的名词复数 ) | |
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189
rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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190
bishops
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| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
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191
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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192
forfeit
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| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
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193
miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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194
landmark
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| n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标 | |
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195
provocative
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| adj.挑衅的，煽动的，刺激的，挑逗的 | |
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196
innovator
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| n.改革者；创新者 | |
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197
prosecuted
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| a.被起诉的 | |
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198
liturgy
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| n.礼拜仪式 | |
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199
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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200
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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201
creeds
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| （尤指宗教）信条，教条( creed的名词复数 ) | |
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202
alterations
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| n.改动( alteration的名词复数 )；更改；变化；改变 | |
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203
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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204
controversy
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| n.争论，辩论，争吵 | |
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205
bequests
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| n.遗赠( bequest的名词复数 )；遗产，遗赠物 | |
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206
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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207
prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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208
annuity
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| n.年金；养老金 | |
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209
nominal
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| adj.名义上的；(金额、租金)微不足道的 | |
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210
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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211
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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212
impiety
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| n.不敬；不孝 | |
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213
avowedly
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| adv.公然地 | |
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214
subscriptions
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| n.（报刊等的）订阅费( subscription的名词复数 )；捐款；（俱乐部的）会员费；捐助 | |
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215
militant
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| adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士 | |
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216
enrolled
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| adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
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217
deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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218
abate
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| vi.(风势，疼痛等)减弱，减轻，减退 | |
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219
dormant
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| adj.暂停活动的；休眠的；潜伏的 | |
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220
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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221
embellish
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| v.装饰，布置；给…添加细节，润饰 | |
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222
memorandum
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| n.备忘录，便笺 | |
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223
apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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224
chattels
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| n.动产，奴隶( chattel的名词复数 ) | |
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225
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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226
defrauded
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| v.诈取，骗取( defraud的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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227
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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228
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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229
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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230
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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231
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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232
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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233
unnaturally
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| adv.违反习俗地；不自然地；勉强地；不近人情地 | |
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234
irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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235
dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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236
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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237
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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238
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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239
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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240
harangue
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| n.慷慨冗长的训话，言辞激烈的讲话 | |
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241
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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242
jointly
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| ad.联合地，共同地 | |
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243
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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244
loom
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| n.织布机，织机；v.隐现，(危险、忧虑等)迫近 | |
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245
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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246
lengthy
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| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
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247
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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248
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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249
accosting
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的现在分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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250
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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251
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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252
preys
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| v.掠食( prey的第三人称单数 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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253
recurred
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| 再发生，复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 )； 治愈 | |
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254
expedients
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| n.应急有效的，权宜之计的( expedient的名词复数 ) | |
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255
walnut
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| n.胡桃，胡桃木，胡桃色，茶色 | |
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256
opportune
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| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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257
insolvent
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| adj.破产的，无偿还能力的 | |
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258
absconded
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| v.（尤指逃避逮捕）潜逃，逃跑( abscond的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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259
scoured
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| 走遍（某地）搜寻（人或物）( scour的过去式和过去分词 )； （用力）刷； 擦净； 擦亮 | |
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260
redeems
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| 补偿( redeem的第三人称单数 )； 实践； 解救； 使…免受责难 | |
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261
shutters
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| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
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262
forgery
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| n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为） | |
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263
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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264
custodian
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| n.保管人，监护人；公共建筑看守 | |
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265
seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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266
persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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267
manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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268
frustrated
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| adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧 | |
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269
intentionally
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| ad.故意地，有意地 | |
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270
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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271
transcribed
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| （用不同的录音手段）转录( transcribe的过去式和过去分词 )； 改编（乐曲）（以适应他种乐器或声部）； 抄写； 用音标标出（声音） | |
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272
annul
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| v.宣告…无效，取消，废止 | |
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273
publicity
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| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
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274
statutes
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| 成文法( statute的名词复数 )； 法令； 法规； 章程 | |
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275
exasperate
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| v.激怒，使（疾病）加剧，使恶化 | |
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276
exasperating
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| adj. 激怒的 动词exasperate的现在分词形式 | |
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277
interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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278
dissuades
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| 劝（某人）勿做某事，劝阻( dissuade的第三人称单数 ) | |
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279
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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280
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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281
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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282
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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283
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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284
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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285
discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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286
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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287
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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288
conclave
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| n.秘密会议，红衣主教团 | |
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289
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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290
lawsuit
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| n.诉讼，控诉 | |
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291
insistence
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| n.坚持；强调；坚决主张 | |
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292
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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293
outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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294
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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295
tattoo
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| n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于 | |
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296
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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297
sect
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| n.派别，宗教，学派，派系 | |
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298
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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299
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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300
comatose
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| adj.昏睡的，昏迷不醒的 | |
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301
wrest
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| n.扭，拧，猛夺；v.夺取，猛扭，歪曲 | |
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