Page:The library a magazine of bibliography and library literature, Volume 6.djvu/174

 j52 The Library. the last named he said, ' I like him, and I ought to do so, for he has overwhelmed me with benefits. He has hurled himself into the abyss, and he is unfortunate but not detestable, especially not to those on whom he has conferred benefits. Louis is on the throne, and is our king. I would sacrifice myself to prevent anyone from doing him harm, and to defend him.' " Two of Peignot's sons have just returned from Paris, young officers in the army, and have " jumped upon his neck." This makes letter-writing rather difficult, and he complains that his petits diables de militaires make such a noise that he can write no more. I have given this long extract, not only because the subject is more or less interesting in itself, but also to show how pleasantly Peignot writes on familiar topics. M. Didiet, the host of Peignot and Talma, had been so fortunate to dig up in his garden an earthenware pot of coins of the time of Charles VI., and of one of these Peignot became the happy possessor. With a true collector's devotion to his passion Peignot, in 1826, began to write his account of curious wills, the complete edition of which was not published till 1849. More than seventy pages of the second volume of the work are occupied by a will of Napoleon Bonaparte, from which it appears that the great soldier was very liberal in bequeathing property that he did not possess. Many of the most eccentric wills printed in the book are of course attributed to English people, and the compiler seems surprised at himself when printing the will of M. Helloin, a judge at Caen, adding that it is strange the freak commanded in the will did not originate on the northern side of the channel. M. Helloin was so fond of his bed and so much addicted to lying therein that he directed his executors to have him buried with his bed exactly as he lay when death should surprise him. Peignot's letters refer continually to his collection of wills, which he is incessantly striving to increase. One of the most comical of his burlesques is a mock petition to his publisher and friends to make room for two newly-found wills which he has discovered after the book had gone to press and was announced to be complete. Here and there among the letters glimpses are to be obtained of their kindly writer's health and worldly prospects. Under the date of 3ist December, 1819, he complains of weakness of the stomach, and in wishing a happy new year to his correspondent he writes, " Welcome 1820, for 1819 has only two hours to live,