Messenger Monsey’s will has been quoted in these pages more than once, and is of interest in many ways; but, as proved, it does not contain this strange provision for the disposal of his body after dissection. As to post-mortem examination, Monsey is not unique. Jean de Labadie, that strange and spiritual figure, stated in his last testament that if such an examination of his body should be thought useful to others he willingly allowed it (1674). “Lastly, I testify that I, as I belong to God and owe myself entirely to Him, give myself without reserve into His keeping, and to my brethren and sisters who are together with me members of this Community I give my body, that they may do with it as they think fit, even if they but attend to its simple burial according to our custom. It may be that my body, in which I have suffered great physical pain (which is not uncommon in those who have devoted themselves to the work of the soul and spirit), may be usefully opened and examined, and that some lessons may be drawn from it advantageous to the prolongation of other lives. But as it signifies very little about the body, which returns to dust when the spirit returns to God, I surrender my soul heartily to my God, giving it back like a drop of water to its source, and rest confident in Him, praying God my origin and ocean, that He will take me into Himself and engulf me eternally in the divine abyss of His Being. I would say more of this if I had strength to go on writing, but this word will suffice. I am united to God and one with the Saints in God; this unison is all, and it is all to me.” And the same Bishop of Winchester who is quoted above said in a codicil: “It is my express desire that my body may be opened so far as to see whether any appearance in it may be of use to my fellow creatures: which I hope Mr. Hawkins will perform and judge of. December 1st, 1759.” In the will of Florence Nightingale is a clause peculiarly apt for this chapter. “I give my body for dissection or post-mortem examination for the purposes of medical science, and I request that the directions about my funeral given by me to my uncle, the late Samuel Smith, be observed. My original request was that no memorial whatever should mark the place where lies my ‘mortal coil.’ I much desire this, but, should the expression of such wish render invalid my other wishes, I limit myself to the above mentioned directions, praying that my body may be carried to the nearest convenient burial ground, accompanied by not more than two persons, without trappings, and that a simple cross with only my initials, date of birth and of death, mark the spot.”