This transcript landed in my hands a while ago by pure coincidence. I have translated it back into English from the German. Found in an asylum in Dunning, the patient's testament reads as follows:
“I, Charles X, possessor of my senses and my memories, am writing and herewith am publishing my last wishes, my will, to distribute as fairly as possible all my possessions amongst my successors.
Over the part of my possessions, that is comprised of files bound in sheep’s skin, I am not entitled to decree, due to its insignificance. Over my right to live, as usufruct, I am not able to decree, but outside of these exceptions, I devise and bequeath as follows:
Item – I give all good parents to the benefit of their children all good words of praise and encouragement and all nice nicknames and terms of endearment and adjure named parents, to lawfully and plentifully use these, as demanded by the children’s fortune.
Item – I bequeath all children up to their adulthood, all and every flower in the field, and bloom of the forest, and of the right to cavort amongst themselves in the childlike way, but to be attentive against thistles and thorns. I bequeath furthermore to the children the banks of the rivulets and the golden sand under the water and the scent of the fields, that dive into the water, and the white clouds, that hang over the treetops. And I give the children the long days, in which they blithe in a thousand ways, and the night and the moon, and the way of the milky way, over which they may be amazed – but all this irrespective of the rights which I herein will later give to the lovers.
Item – I give to all the boys the barren fields and heathland, where one can play with balls, and the snow covered mountain crests for tobogganing, and the streams and ponds to go fishing, to own and to look after such things during their youth; and all fields with clover and butterflies, forests with squirrel and birds, echoes and wild noises and all far away distances that one can hike through, together with all adventures.
And I give to each of the aforesaid boys a seat in front of the fireplace, with the pictures that are visible in the flames, without interdiction or restraint and without worry or sorrow.
Item – to the lovers I bequeath the world of fantasy, with all accessories that are there: stars in the sky, roses by the wall, the flowering of hawthorn, the chimes of music, and everything else that seems necessary, so that they may be able to depict the infinity and beauty of their love to each other.
Item – to the teens I bequeath all wild games of sports, and give them contempt to all weakness and unbowed trust to their own strength. Even though they are rough, I nevertheless give them the gift to build friendships and to have companions, and only to them do I give cheerful songs and courageous ways to sing with a strong voice.
Item – and those who no longer are children or teens or lovers, I bequeath memory and leave them the works of Burns or Shakespeare and other poets, if there are any, so that they can once again relive the old days, to their full and in freedom.
Item – to the dear old with snow white hair I bequeath the fortune of age: the love and gratitude of their children, until they doze off."
-- date unknown --
