or is likely to have any. For all these reasons; and because my
dearest and beloved grand-daughter Clarissa hath been from her infancy
a matchless young creature in her duty to me, and admired by all who
knew her, as a very extraordinary child; I must therefore take the
pleasure of considering her as my own peculiar child; and this without
intending offence; and I hope it will not be taken as any, since my
son James can bestow his favours accordingly, and in greater
proportion, upon his son James, and upon his daughter Arabella.--

These, I say, are the reasons which move me to dispose of the above-
described estate in the precious child's favour; who is the delight of
my old age: and, I verily think, has contributed, by her amiable duty
and kind and tender regards, to prolong my life.

Wherefore it is my express will and commandment, and I enjoin my said
three sons, John, James, and Antony, and my grandson James, and my
grand-daughter Arabella, as they value my blessing, and will regard my
memory, and would wish their own last wills and desires to be fulfilled
by their survivors, that they will not impugn or contest the following
bequests and devises in favour of my said grand-daughter Clarissa,
although they should not be strictly conformable to law or to the forms
thereof; nor suffer them to be controverted or disputed on any pretence
whatsoever.

And in this confidence, &c. &c. &c.



LETTER V