Unwilling Queen Mary's Will, on which the Press has been
speculating recently, makes me wonder whether there is any good reason, other than that it is pleasant to pry into other people's affairs, why the Wills and Bequests of the illustrious dead should be made public. During a man's lifetime it is considered ill- mannered to say the least of it to be inquisitive about his bank balance. Both his finances and his love affairs, though food for conjecture, are considered to be his own business. Many families are caused embarrassment by the publication of bequests of an unexpected or unorthodox kind. We all have our lapses, but it seems unfair that these should be revealed when we are no longer around to take the blame. I do not know how the Press acquire information regarding Wills, but that the bereaved families concerned are asked permission to print it I cannot believe.
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