It is said that in early life Jeremy Bentham determined to leave his body for dissection, and in 1769, at the age of twenty-two, bequeathed it for that purpose: “This my will and general request I make, not out of affectation of singularity, but to the intent and with the desire that mankind may reap some small benefit in and by my decease, having hitherto had small opportunities to contribute thereto while living.” As a matter of fact, directions given by will as to the disposition of the body are invalid, but by the Anatomy Act, 1832, certain interesting provisions are laid down. The executor may permit the body of the deceased to undergo anatomical examination, unless he has expressed his desire in writing, or verbally in the presence of two or more witnesses during the illness whereof he died, that such examination might not be held, or unless the surviving spouse or any relative shall require the body to be interred without examination. On the other hand, if any person has directed in writing, or verbally as above, that an anatomical examination shall be held, his direction is to be carried out, unless the surviving spouse or a relative require the body to be interred without such examination. The desire that there should be placed in the coffin letters written to the testator by his wife before their marriage is intelligible, and the request was made recently in a minister’s will. A contemporary record of the death in 1788 of Frances Marchioness Dowager of Tweeddale makes much of such tender provisions. “She lived a great example of prudence and penurious economy, and in her death gave testimony of the goodness of her heart, united with wisdom, in the legacies and orders respecting her own funeral, and her surviving relatives and friends. An instance of conjugal affection, rarely to be found in the life and death of great personages, is more fully evinced by her living 26 years a dowager, ordering her burial with her wedding-ring on her finger, and the letters of her dear Lord to be put into the coffin with her, and to be laid as near as possible to her deceased husband.” Unintelligible, however, to any not initiated into the mysteries of testators’ minds are some of these directions or desires:— “After my decease, I desire that a competent and trustworthy doctor of medicine shall thoroughly satisfy himself that life is absolutely extinct. My carcase is to be cremated, and the residuum thereof deposited in two metal urns, numbered respectively 1 and 2. On the ashes in No. 1 are to be placed a packet, which will be found on my desk, and my miniature portrait scarf-pin, and on the ashes in urn No. 2 a similar packet, which will also be found on my desk, and my miniature portrait finger-ring.”