d at Oulton before I left. I
showed Mr. F. the first document on Wednesday, and he expressed
then a doubt with regard to the necessity of an affidavit from
me, but he said it would perhaps be necessary for him to see
the security. I saw him again this morning and he repeated the
same thing. To-night he is going to write up to his agent on
the subject, and on Monday I am to know what is requisite to be
done--therefore pray keep in readiness. On Tuesday, perhaps, I
shall return to Oulton, but I don't know. I shall write again
on Monday. God bless you.

GEORGE BORROW.

Borrow died, as we have seen, in 1881, and was buried by the side of his
wife in Brompton Cemetery. By his will, dated 1st December 1880, he
bequeathed all his property to his stepdaughter, making his friend,
Elizabeth Harvey, her co-executrix. The will, a copy of which is before
me, has no public interest, but it may be noted that Miss Harvey
refused to act, as the following letter to Mrs. MacOubrey
testifies[260]:

To Mrs. MacOubrey

BURY ST. EDMUNDS, _August 13th._

MY DEAREST HENRIETTA,--I was just preparing to write to you
when yours arrived together with Mrs. Reeve's despatch. You
know how earnestly I desire your welfare--but _because_ I do so
I earnestly advise you immediately to exercise the right you
have of appointing another trustee in my place. I am sure it
will be best for you. You ought to have a trustee at least
_not_ older than yourself, and one who has health and strength
for discharging the office. I _know_ what are the duties of a
trustee. There's _always_ a considerable responsibility
involved in the discharge of the duties of a trustee--and it
may easily occur that great responsibility may be thrown on
them, and it may become an anxious business fit only for those
who have youth and health and strength of mind, and are likely
to live.

My dear friend, you do not like to realise the old age of your
dear friends, but you must consider that I am quite past the
age for such an office, and my invalid state often prevents my
attending to my own small affairs. I have no relation or
confidential friend who can act for me. My executors were Miss
Venn and John Venn. Miss Venn departed last February to a
better land. John is in such health with heart disease