ECONOMY IS THE EASY CHAIR OF OLD AGE. which is made absolute after the lapse of a certain time, unless the decree should be set aside by subsequent appeal. 1489. THE GROUNDS OF DIVORCE are very various, and in most cases fit only for confidential communication to a solicitor. In all cases a highly respectable professional adviser should be employed. 1490. A SENTENCE OF JUDICIAL SEPARATION may be obtained either by the husband or the wife, on the ground of desertion without cause for two years or upwards. To constitute wilful desertion on the part of the husband, his absence must be against the will of his wife, and she must not have been a consenting party to it. 1491. PERSONS CANNOT BE LEGALLY SEPARATED upon the mere disinclination of one or both to live together. The disinclination must be proved upon reasons that the law recognizes; and the court must see that those reasons actually exist. 1492. THE AMOUNT OF COSTS or A JUDICIAL SEPARATION or a divorce varies from £25 to £500 or more, according to the circumstances of the suit, and the litigation that may ensue. But a person being a pauper may obtain relief from the court by suing in forma pauperis. Any such person must lay a case before counsel, and obtain an opinion from such counsel that he or she has reasonable grounds for appealing to the court for relief. The opinion of the counsel must then be laid before the judge ordinary, and leave be obtained to proceed with the suit. 1493. Magisterial Order for Protection of Wife's Property. -When a wife is able to prove that her husband has deserted her without cause and against her will, she may obtain from the Matrimonial Court, or from the judge ordinary, an order to protect her against his creditors, and against any person claiming under him, by way of purchase or otherwise, any property she may acquire by her own lawful industry, or may become possessed of after such desertion. 213 1494. THE ORDER MAY IN ANY CASE BE OBTAINED from the court, and when the wife lives in London, from a police magistrate; or where she lives in the country, from two magistrates sitting in petty sessions. 1495. THE ORDER DOES NOT PREVENT THE HUSBAND RETURNING TO HIS WIFE, but only prevents his taking her earnings while the desertion continues. While the husband and wife live together he is entitled (unless it be otherwise provided in the settlement) to all her earnings; and in general, if what she earns is paid to her without his authority, he can enforce a fresh payment to himself. When he has deserted her, this right will still continue, unless she either obtains a judicial separation or this protection order. 1496. THE ORDER, WHEN OBTAINED, puts the wife in the same position with regard to ownership of property and the right to sue and be sued upon contracts (that is, all bargains and business transactions), as if she had obtained the decree of judicial separation, placing her, in fact, in the situation of a single woman. 1497. IF, AFTER THIS ORDER IS MADE, the husband, or any creditor of his, or person claiming through him by purchase or otherwise, should seize or continue to hold any property of the wife, after notice of such order, the wife may bring an action against her husband or such other person, and may recover the property itself, and double its value in money. 1498. To Search for Wills.If you wish to examine a will, your best course is to go to "The Wills Office," in Doctors' Commons, St. Paul's Churchyard; have on a slip of paper the name of the testator-this, on entering, give to a clerk whom you will see at a desk on the right. At the same time pay a shilling, and you will then be entitled to search all the heavy Index volumes for the testator's name. The name found, the clerk will hand over the will for perusal, and there is no difficulty whatever, provided you thers and sisters, and their children (but not their grandchildren); iii. His grandfathers and grandmothers;—if none, iv. His uncles and aunts;-if none, v. His cousins, and great-nephews and nieces. 1500. IF THE DECEASED LEAVE A WIDOW, but no child or children, one half of his personal estate will fall to his widow, and the other half will be divisible among the next of kin. The father of an intestate without children is entitled to one half of his estate, if he leave a widow, and to the whole if he leave no widow. When the nearest of kin are the mother and the brothers and sisters, the personal estate is divisible in equal portions, one of which will belong to the mother, and one to each of the brothers and sisters; and if there be children of a deceased brother or sister, an equal portion is divisible among each family of children. 214 LITTLE STICKS KINDLE THE FIRE, BUT GREAT ONES PUT IT OUT. know about the year of the testator's-ii. Father;-if none, mother, and brodeath. The Indexes are all arranged and numbered according to their years. Not only the names of those who left wills are given, but also of those intestates to whose effects letters of administration have been granted. There is no charge beyond the shilling paid for entering. If you require a copy of the will, the clerk will calculate the expense, and you can have the copy in a few days. No questions whatever are asked -nor does the length of the will, or the time occupied in reading it, make any difference in the charge. Beyond the shilling paid on entering, there is no other demand whatever, unless for copying the whole, or a portion of the will. It may be as well to state that there are many wills which are not lodged in Doctors' Commons. Some are proved in the courts of the several bishops-Gloucester, York, Chester, for instance; and there they remain. The wills of all who resided in London or the neighbourhood, or who were possessed of money in the funds, are proved in Doctors' Commons; the wills of the wealthier classes are mostly proved there. In the country, and with small properties, the executors usually resort to the bishop of the diocese. Most of the wills, for instance, of shopkeepers, &c., who reside in Manchester, are proved in Chester. The same rules are observed 1502. No WILL IS VALID UNLESS in the country as in London, with IT IS IN WRITING, signed at the foot or regard to examination, &c. The fee-end thereof by the testator, or by some one shilling—is the same in all. Having ascertained that the deceased left a will, and that it has been proved, the next inquiry is, "Where was it proved?" The above explanation and remarks apply also to the administrations granted of the effects of those who died without wills. 1501. WILLS, TO BE VALID, can only be made by persons at or above the age of twenty-one, and in a sound state of mind at the time of making the last will and testament; not attainted of treason; nor a felon; nor an outlaw. A female must be unmarried, unless the will is made by the consent of her husband, which consent must be expressed by some other deed or will, especially executed in her favour by her husband. other person in his presence and by his direction. And such signature must be made or acknowledged by the testator, in the presence of two or more witnesses, all of whom must be present at the same time, and such witnesses must attest and subscribe the will in the presence and with the knowledge of the testator. 1503. A WILL OR CODICIL ONCE MADE cannot be altered or revoked, unless through a similar formal process to that under which it was made; or by some other writing declaring an intention to revoke the same, and executed in the manner in which an original will WHAT THOU CANST DO THYSELF, COMMIT NOT TO ANOTHER. 215 is required to be executed; or by the choice whether she will accept the subburning, tearing, or otherwise destroy-stituted gift, or remain possessed of ing the same by the testator, or by some what the law declares her entitled to. person in his presence and by his direction, with the intention of revoking the same. 1504. NO WILL OR CODICIL, or any part of either, that has once been revoked by any or all of these acts, can be revived again, unless it be executed in the manner that a fresh will or codicil is required to be. 1505. ALTERATIONS IN WILLS OR CODICILS require the signature of the testator and of two witnesses to be made upon the margin, or upon some other part of the will, opposite or near to the alteration. 1506. EVERY WILL IS REVOKED by the subsequent marriage of the testator or testatrix, except a will made in the exercise of a power of appointment, when the property appointed thereby would not, in default of appointment, pass to the heir, executor, or administrator, or next of kin of the testator or testatrix. 1507. THERE BEING NO STAMP DUTY, or tax, on a will itself, it should be written on plain parchment or paper. Nor is it necessary, though always advisable where means are sufficient, to employ a professional adviser to draw up and complete the execution of a will. 1508. IF IT BE INTENDED TO GIVE A LEGACY to an illegitimate child, the testator must not class him with the lawful children, or designate him simply as the child of his reputed parent, whether father or mother, but must describe the child by name as the reputed child of or- so as to leave no doubt of identity. 1509. WEARING APPAREL, JEWELS, &c., belonging to a wife are considered in law her paraphernalia ;" and though liable for the husband's debts while living, cannot be willed away from her by her husband, unless he wills to her other things in lieu thereof, expressing such intention and desire in the will. The wife may then make her 1510. WHERE PROPERTY IS CONSIDERABLE, and of different kinds,-or even where inconsiderable, if of different kinds, and to be disposed of to married or other persons, or for the benefit of children, for charities, or trusts of any description, it is absolutely necessary and proper that a qualified legal adviser should superintend the execution of the will. 1511. WHEN A PERSON HAS RESOLVED UPON MAKING A WILL, he should select from among his friends persons of trust to become his executors, and should obtain their consent to act. And it is advisable that a duplicate copy of the will should be entrusted to the executor or executors. Or he should otherwise deposit a copy of his will, or the original will, in the office provided by the Probate Court for the safe custody of wills. 1512. THE FOLLOWING IS A SIMPLE FORM OF WILL:-This is the last will and testament of J-B-, of No. 3, King's Road, Chelsea. I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to my wife Mary B-, her heirs, executors, and administrators, for her and their own use and benefit, absolutely and for ever, all my estate and effects, both real and personal, whatsoever and wheresoever, and of what nature and quality soever; and I hereby appoint her, the said Mary B-, sole executrix of this my will. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and sixtyfour. JOHN B-. Signed by the said John B- in the presence of us, present at the same time, who, in his presence, and in the presence of each other, attest and subscribe our names as witnesses hereto. JOHN WILLIAMS, 15, Oxford Street, Westminster. HENRY JONES, 19, Regent Street, Westminster. 1513. OTHER FORMS OF WILLS give particular legacies to adults, or to infants, with direction for application 216 A CHILD IS THE BRIGHTEST RAY IN THE SUNSHINE OF A PARENT'S HEART. preserved under a proper degree of temperature. Apples may acquire or arrive at this second degree of maturity upon the tree, but it too often happens that the flavour of the fruit is thus lost, for fruit over ripe is always found to have parted with a portion of its flavour. 1517. THE THIRD STAGE, or of Ex of interest during minority; to infants, to be paid at twenty-one without interest; specific legacies of government stock; general legacies of ditto; specific legacies of leasehold property or household property; immediate or deferred annuities; to daughters or sons for life, and after them their children; legacies with directions for the applica-pectation, as the theorist quaintly terms tion of the money; bequests to wife, with conditions as to future marriage; define the powers of trustees, provide for and direct the payment of debts, &c. All these more complicated forms of wills require the superintendence of a professional adviser. it, is that which is acquired by pulpy fruits, which, though sufficiently ripe to drop off the tree, are even then hard and sour. This is the case with several kinds both of apples and pears, not to mention other fruits, which always improve after keeping in the confectionery, 1514. Preserving Fruit.-The-but with respect to the medlar and grand secret of preserving is to deprive the quince, this maturity of expectation the fruit of its water of vegetation in is absolutely necessary. the shortest time possible; for which 1518. THE FOURTH DEGREE of mapurpose the fruit ought to be gathered turity, or of Coction, is completely artijust at the point of proper maturity. ficial, and is nothing more nor less than An ingenious French writer considers the change produced upon fruit by the fruit of all kinds as having four distinct aid of culinary heat. periods of maturity-the maturity of 1519. Maturity of Vegetation. vegetation, of honeyfication, of expec--We have already pointed out the first tation, and of coction. 1515. THE FIRST PERIOD he considers to be that when, having gone through the vegetable processes up to the ripening, it appears ready to drop spontaneously. This, however, is a period which arrives sooner in the warm climate of France than in the colder orchards of England; but its absolute presence may be ascertained by the general filling out of the rind, by the bloom, by the smell, and by the facility with which it may be plucked from the branch. But even in France, as generally practised in England, this period may be hastened, either by cutting circularly through the outer rind at the foot of the branch, so as to prevent the return of the sap, or by bending the branch to a horizontal position on an espalier, which answers the same purpose. 1516. THE SECOND PERIOD, or that of Honeyfication, consists in the ripeness and flavour which fruits of all kinds acquire if plucked a few days before arriving at their first maturity, and object necessary in the preservation of fruit, its maturity of vegetation, and we may apply the same principle to flowers or leaves which may be gathered for use. 1520. THE FLOWERS ought to be gathered a day or two before the petals are ready to drop off spontaneously on the setting of the fruit: and the leaves must be plucked before the season has begun to rob them of their vegetable juices. The degree of heat necessary for the purpose of drying must next be considered, as it differs considerably with respect to different substances. 1521. FLOWERS OR AROMATIC PLANTS require the smallest increase of heat beyond the temperature of the season, provided that season be genial: something more for rinds or roots, and a greater heat for fruits; but this heat must not be carried to excess. 1522. PHILOSOPHIC CONFECTIONERS may avail themselves of the thermometer; but practice forms the best guide in this case, and therefore we shall say, without speaking of degrees of Fahrenheit or Réaumur, that if the A LAUGHING CHILD IS THE BEST PORTRAIT OF HAPPINESS. necessary heat for flowers is one, that for rinds and roots must be one and a quarter, that for fruits one and three quarters, or nearly double of what one may be above the freezing point. 1523. Hints about Making Preserves.--It is not generally known that boiling fruit a long time, and skimming it well, without sugar, and without a cover to the preserving-pan, is a very economical and excellent way -economical, because the bulk of the scum rises from the fruit, and not from the sugar; but the latter should be good. Boiling it without a cover allows the evaporation of all the watery particles therefrom, and renders the preserves firm and well flavoured. The proportions are, three quarters of a pound of sugar to a pound of fruit. Jam made in this way of currants, strawberries, raspberries, or gooseberries, is excellent. The sugar should be added after the skimming is completed. 1524. To make a Syrup. Dissolve one pound of sugar in about a gill of water, boil for a few minutes, skimming it till quite clear. To every two pounds of sugar add the white of one egg well beaten. Boil very quickly, and skim carefully while boiling. In the season for "preserves our readers may be glad of the above instructions, which have been adopted with great success. 1525. Covering for Preserves. -White paper cut to a suitable size, dipped in brandy, and put over the preserves when cold, and then a double paper tied over the top. All preserves should stand a night before they are covered. Instead of brandy, the white of eggs may be used to glaze the paper covering, and the paper may be pasted round the edge of the pot instead of tied -it will exclude the air better. 1526. To Bottle Fruits.-Burn a match in a bottle to exhaust all air, then place in the fruit to be preserved, quite dry, and without blemish; sprinkle sugar between each layer, put in the bung, and tie bladder over, setting the bottles, bung downwards, in a large 217 stewpan of cold water, with hay between to prevent breaking. When the skin is just cracking, take them out. All preserves require exclusion from the air. Place a piece of paper dipped in sweet oil over the top of the fruit; prepare thin paper, immersed in gumwater, and while wet, press it over and around the top of the jar; ая it dries, it will become quite firm and tight. 1527. Apples for keeping should be laid out on a dry floor for three weeks. They may then be packed away in layers, with dry straw between them. Each apple should be rubbed with a dry cloth as it is put away. They should be kept in a cool place, but should be sufficiently covered with straw to protect them from frost. They should be plucked on a dry day. 1528. Dried Apples are produced by taking fine apples of good quality, and placing them in a very slow oven for several hours. Take them out occasionally, rub and press them flat. Continue until they are done. If they look dry, rub over them a little clarified sugar. 1529. Preserved Rhubarb. Peel one pound of the finest rhubarb, and cut it into pieces of two inches in length; add three quarters of a pound of white sugar, and the rind and juice of one lemon-the rind to be cut into narrow strips. Put all into a preserving kettle, and simmer gently until the rhubarb is quite soft; take it out carefully with a silver spoon, and put it into jars; then boil the syrup a sufficient time to make it keep well, say one hour,-and pour it over the fruit. When cold, put a paper soaked in brandy over it, and tie the jars down with a bladder to exclude the air. This is a very good receipt, and should be taken advantage of in the spring. 1530. Dry Apricots.-Gather before ripe, scald in a jar put into boiling water, pare and stone them; put into a syrup of half their weight of sugar, in the proportion of half a pint of water to two pounds of sugar; scald, |