ANCIENT WILLS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 45, 8 November 1890, Page 2

ANCIENT WILLS.

An ancient Egyptian will, the earliest known, has been unearthed at Kalium, or, as the town was known 4,500 years ago, Illahun. The document is so curiously modern in form that it might almost be granted probate to-day. It consists of a settlement made by one Sekhenren, in the year 44, second month of Pert, day 19—that is, it is estimated, the 4th of Amenemhat 111., or 2,550 B.c. —in favour of his brother, a priest of Osiris, of all his property and goods, and of another document, which bears date trom the time of Amenemhat IV., or 2,548 B.c. This latter instrument is in form nothing more or less than a will, by which, in phraseology that might well be used to-day, the testator settles upon his wife Teta all the property given him by his brother for life, but forbids her in categorical terms to pull down the houses ‘which my brother built for me,’ although it empowers her to give them to any of her children that she pleases. A ‘ Lieutenant ’ Sibu is to act as gqardian of the infant children. This remarkable instrument is witnessed by two scribes, with an attestation clause that might almost nave been drafted yesterday. The papyrus is a valuable contribution to the study of ancient law, and shows with a graphic realism what a pitch of civilisation the ancient Egyptians had reached—at least from a lawyer’s point of view.

‘Yes, Miss Frost, I always wear gloves at night; they make one’s hands so soft.’ ‘Ah ! and do you sleep with your hat on ? ’