“I have the consent of the directors of my lodge of Elks to keep for me in their possession during my life my property now in their possession, and any property which I may place in their custody hereafter will be similarly held. I have made provisions in the declaration which will pass the trust fund to the Elks lodge in the event of my death or in the event of my becoming insane. The question of insanity is left to the officers of my lodge. There may arise an occasion where some meddlesome person or persons would lodge a contest, and perhaps my wishes concerning the disposition of what belongs to R. B. Tappan would not be complied with. I have a right to do what I see fit with what is mine without consulting any one else, and it is a great satisfaction to me to-day to know just where my property will go in the event of the happening of either one of the conditions referred to. This proposition involves a large sum of money and securities which are as good as gold coin, and the matter is no joke. The officers realize this, or else they would not have accepted the trust. I never speculate or gamble in any form; hence my trust is not likely to shrink much.” TRUST COMPANIES AS EXECUTORS The Trust Companies of the United States and other countries have, in recent years, proved themselves the best mediums for administering wills; such an institution located in Melbourne, Australia, in pointing out its merits and stability, quite uniquely, we think, quoted Tennyson’s lines: “ ... Men may come, And men may go, But I go on for ever.” CHAPTER VI WILLS OF FAMOUS FOREIGNERS “Farewell! a long farewell, to all my greatness!” WILL OF THE MARQUIS D’ALIGRE Before quoting the will of the Marquis d’Aligre, we will recall a little incident of his life, which, though it serves to show his character, does not prepare us for the various phases of his shrewd and humorous mind. One day the marquis went to pay a visit to the Duc de X., one of his friends, a man of scrupulous propriety and a great stickler for etiquette. Hardly had he taken leave, after an hour’s chat, before the duke perceived on the mantelpiece a pair of brown gloves; he looked at them and then drew back with horror; these gloves of an indescribable hue had evidently once been white! and it was actual wear that had tinted them. The tips of the fingers were twisted about and stiff, and the gaping buttonholes testified to their protracted and loyal service. No housemaid would have worn them to clean her stoves.