17 NOVEMBER 1888, Page 39

Ralph Hardeastle's Will. By Agnes Giberne. (Hatchards.)— We have a

strong conviction that the eccentric will of Ralph Hard- castle, on which Miss Giberne builds her story, would have been upset long before the hundred years during which it was to be in force had expired. His estate was to go to unmarried women of his family. If a woman married, she forfeited it. A testator may impose a penalty on a particular marriage. He may lay down that A shall forfeit a legacy if he or she marries B. But a general restraint of marriage is held, we believe, by the law to be against policy, and ipso facto void. Perhaps it is as well that the author was not troubled by any misgiving. We should have lost a pretty little story.