COMMENTS ON THE WILL This will, of interest to all Americans, has been quoted, not as showing how to prepare a will, but how _not_ to do it. James Logan, man of affairs, Secretary of the Province and the business representative of the Penn family in Pennsylvania, was dismayed when a copy was placed in his hands. He wrote to Hannah Penn, the widow, November 4, 1718: “The sloop ‘Dolphin’ arrived from London, bringing us divers letters and among ye rest one from Jno Page to me with a copy of our late Proprietor’s will wch gives me some uneasiness as being Drawn in hast I believe by himself only, when such a settlement required a hand better acquainted with affairs of that Nature. “The Estate in these parts is vested in so many without impowering any P’ticular or a suitable number to grant and Convey, that I fear we shall be puzzled. I hope that you will take advice there what methods must be pursued in ye Case.” James Logan, with his clear mind, saw at once the difficulties which would surround the execution of such a will, and regretted that Penn had not employed some competent person to draw up this important document for him. Such a will, disposing of so many and varied interests, as Logan quaintly expressed it, “required a hand better acquainted with affairs of that Nature.” Logan’s criticism and fears were well grounded as the litigation over the Founder’s will extended over a period of nine years. The life of Penn reveals him as gifted with extraordinary wisdom, prudence, and forethought. In the ordinary as well as the trying and unusual crises of his eventful life, these qualities stood him in good stead, but when he came to draw up his own will they failed him, as they have failed so many men who have tried in vain to draw a valid will. It is a wise provision of the religious society of which Penn was one of the founders, by which it annually recommends to its members: “Friends are earnestly advised to inspect the state of their outward affairs at least once in a year and to consider carefully, whilst in health, the just disposition of their estates by will or otherwise.” WILL OF SAMUEL PEPYS Samuel Pepys was an interesting figure in England in the latter part of the seventeenth century. We know him chiefly as the well-known diarist, though he did work of high order in connection with the British navy. He died on May 26, 1703. Of his diary, the London _Athenæum_ has said: “It is the best book of its kind in the English language.”