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Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 601, 10 September 1853, Page 3

It is calculated that there are 100,000 foreign refugees in London.

The Dying Millionaire and his Ec" centric Will. — Pope has told us how some old people " die and endow a college or a cat." We have seen, even in our time, come eccentric bequests ; but in Paris there is a dying millionaire, who is perplexed with the wildest phantasies that ever were aroused by Death's approaching: footsteps. This old man has been sadly annoyed by finding his couch incessantly surrounded by crowds of country cousins, even to the third and fourth generation, who, sniffing, vulturelike the carrion from afar, have flown hither to hover over the 'deathbed. In order to scare away the vultures, he has intimated to them that he will select as his heir any of his relations who chooses to bind himself to accompany his body into the vault, and remain there for twelve months. During the period he engages that a sumptuous repast shall be provided daily in the charnel house, and at the expiration of the twelve months he will settle 20,000 francs per annum on the sharer of his grave. The relations have recoiled before this strange condition, and it has been accordingly extended to other persons, not connected with the dying man, but the conditions are less favourable; he simply offers 1000 francs per month bo long as the person remains in the vault with him* A provincial actor and a couple of bankrupt, are candidates for this legacy; but the authorities are going to interfere to prevent the desecration. . . __