AMERICAN’S STRANGE WILL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1089, 29 August 1912, Page 4

AMERICAN’S STRANGE WILL

A curious will case (says the Daily News) is now before the Paris Courts—that of Mr Henry Harris, an American lawyer, who practised for many years in Paris, leaving a fortune of nearly /io,ooo. Mr Harris’ will, dated May 14, began thus : “This is my will. Although a citizen of the United States, and loving my country, I wish that the devolution and settlement of my succession be carried out according to French law in substance and form. Neither American lawyers nor the United States Consulate are to intervene in any way whatever in placing American seals.

In the fulness of my intelligence and will I desire and order that, without any kind of religious ceremony, without the presence of any priest, pastor or rabbi, without military honour due to members of the Region of Honour, without black drapery, or the exposing of the body or coffin outside or inside my house.

“Without announcement or notice in the newspapers, without flowers or wreaths or emblems whatever, a hearse shall come and fetch my body and take it to the crematorium without being followed by persons of my acquaintance on fool or in carriage, and without any of my friends or acquaintances being present. It shall be completely incinerated without the ashes being collected and without speeches or prayers being said at the cemetery or elsewhere. I request, moreover, that neither relatives nor servants shall wear mourning for me.’’ Mr Harris, who died at the age of 82, was a prolific writer. Pie lett behind 92 works. He also wrote a book on the 50 obelisks ot the world. He was a friend of the great French writers of his time Renan, George Sand, Thiers, Michelet, etc. He left to Colonel (now General Piequart, for his “courageous conduct during the Dreyfus trial.’' lu a will of 1905, the eccentric American lawyer left ,£4,000 to his niece, Mrs Pilgrim. In the will of 1910 she was not mentioned, and she is now bringing an action to have the last will set aside on the plea of undue influence.