Famous Last Words

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30413, 11 April 1964, Page 5

Famous Last Words

'J’HE Public Record Office in London, which keeps many of Britain’s historic documents, recently put on display a number of notable wills. In a 8.8. C. programme on these revealing personal documents, Gordon Snell commented on the oldest will on view—that of the tragic King Richard IL who succeeded to the throne at the age of 10 and 22 years later was deposed in favour of his cousin, Henry of Lancaster (Henry IV) and died miserably, probably violently, in Pontefract Castle.

“Drawn up over five centuries ago,” said Snell, “the wilL among other things, provides money for completing a new nave in Westminster Abbey, and for the support of lepers who were to say mass for the King.” King Henry VII, first of the Tudor dynasty, in his will left orders for 10,000 Masses to be said for his soul. But he made sure that his physical presence would be remembered as well: he left instructions

for putting up two statues—of himself. Another notable exhibit was Shakespeare’s will, made less than a month before he died, leaving most of his property at Stratford-on-Avon to his elder daughter, Susannah, the rest to his sister and other daughter, Judith, and the bequest to his wife of “my second best bed with the furniture,” written between the lines, as if in afterthought. Nelson wrote in his will: “I give my dearest friend, Lady Hamilton, all the hay belonging to me at Merton and in the Wimbledon Parish.” Nelson seemed given to afterthoughts, for there are no fewer than seven codicils to his will.

“A rather huffy codicil to the will of Samuel Pepys, the diarist, cancels the original bequest to his nephew,” said Snell, “because he ‘has thought fit to dispose of himself in marriage against my positive advise and injunctions and to his own irreparable prejudice and dishonour.* ”

Across 6 Write to a friend by way of punishment. (7) 7 Started to solicit United Nations. (5) 9—Resin offered by friend to company. (5) 10—Perplex if found in my pigs’ shelter. (7) 12—The end of term to one

class of people. (11) 14—Be in a hurry to be under obligation? (3, 4,4) 18— Lit racy alternative for clearness. (7) 19— The first doctor to be a lazy, idle fellow. (5) 21— Tentative effort at composition? (5) 22 The vessel hasn't a single thickness, but it provides complete armour. (7) (Solution to Crossword, Page 18.)

Down 1— Feel depression underneath. (5) 2 Father takes ornamental fabric to splendid residence. (6) 3 A wideawake insect. (3) 4 Seven together—and French after the ninth month. (6) 5 Light yellow ring worn by low jester. (7) B—Nice day for poison! (7) 11—To copy it, a time like this is needed. (7) 13—Just the sword to fight a young amazon with? (7) 15— Encroachment in a way. (6) 16— Handcart produced in quarrel in pub. (6) 17— This relation, given article, would be foull (5) 20—A penny, yes, is sufficient for natural time division. (3)