Hearts as Presents.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXX, Issue IX, 28 February 1903, Page 620

Hearts as Presents.

Among the many curious presents made from time to time surely that of a human heart, given literally, and not as lovers are wont to bestow, is most extraordinary, but several such instances may be mentioned. Paul Whitehead, a poet of the eighteenth century, felt so grateful to Lord Le Despenser for having been the means of getting him an income of £BOO a year that he bequeathed his heart to him as a mark of his gratitude. That nobleman placed this singular legacy in one of the recesses of a mausoleum at his seat at West Wycombe, and the urn containing it bore the following epitaph:—

Unhallow’d hands, this forbear: No gems nor Orient spoil Lie here conceal’d, but, what's more rare. A heart that know’s no vnile.

The occasion of the depositing of the heart was one of great solemnity, and ex-

cited considerable interest. All the Buckinghamshire militia were present as the uni was carried in mournful procession. to the accompaniment of minute guns, to its last resting place; while an incantation, set to music by the famous Dr. Aniold, of Westminster Abbey, was sung by a number of vocalists specially engaged for the purpose. The celebrated composer Gretry was born at Liege, and although he pursued his studies at Rome, and finally settled in Paris, he still retained a love for his native city. As proof of his affection he bequeathed his heart to Liege, but the authorities there evidently did not prize the gift as much as he imagined they would. The result was that when the executor wrote apprising them of the unique present they coolly requested him to send it forward, c.rrig- paid, by the diligence. This made him somewhat indignant, and he had the heart which had been carefully preserved, buried in an urn in a garden in France. Ten years later Liege thought it would like to have possession of its legacy, and invoked the aid of the law courts o Paris in order to compel the "vecutor to carrv out the will.

Richard I. had a somewhat chequered career, and remembered the joys and sorrows of his life when arranging for his death. He wished Chains to be the resting place of his brain and bowels, so that they should be among the rebellious Poictevins, while his heart was to be buried at Rouen as an appreciation of the loyalty of its citizens. Another Monarch, Bruce of Scotland, also gave some unusual directions respecting the disposition of his heart, but this was because he had killed Cornyn in a church at Dumfries. He desired Sir James Douglas to carry his heart to Jerusalem, and there place it in the Holy Sepulchre; but while this gentleman was carrying out his mission he was killed in Spain, and the heart, though lost then, was subsequently recovered and returned to Scotland.