HIS DEATH. He died on the 26th of December, 1797, at his house in Grosvenor-square, after a short illness. He met death with exemplary calmness and fortitude. His remains were interred in a vault in Grosvenor Chapel, South-Audleystreet. A hearse, three mourning coaches, and his daughter's carriage, formed the procession. Six poor men carried the corpse to the grave; for which they were rewarded with a guinea and a suit of clothes each. On the coffin-plate was this inscription: JOHN WILKES, ESQ. F. R. S. DIED AGED 70 YEARS. And on a plain marble tablet is inscribed: THE REMAINS OF JOHN WILKES, A FRIEND OF LIBERTY: BORN AT LONDON, OCTOBER 17, 1727, o. s. DIED IN THIS PARISH DECEMBER 26, 1797. In his person he was a little above the middle size: his complexion was somewhat sallow; and before he died he appeared to be affected by a marasmus. His eyes always possessed an unfortunate cast, which exposed him to the impertinence of rude observers and malignant artists. In the year 1754 he was high-sheriff for the county of Buckingham. In this situation he made his first essay in municipal and provincial interests; and evinced his qualifications acquired by study and attention to the duties of a magistrate, as well as the politeness of a gentleman. Ample statements have been given in this work, of the principal events of his life and of the prominent features of his character. To the public he was steady, firm, and faithful. The foibles of his private life affected no public interest, and therefore have not been dilated upon here. His social qualities will live in the esteem of every one who knew him. An uncommon share of wit, an easy and happy flow of language, and a strong memory, all contributed to make his society a truly elegant and classic entertainment to his friends. MR. WILKES'S WILL: WITH SOME REMARKS UPON IT. "I JOHN WILKES hereby revoke all former wills, and make this my last will and testa ment. "Whereas, by favour of the livery of London, I am chamberlain of the said city; I direct that, in the first place, my undernamed executrix, and executor do adjust all my accounts with the said city, and pay over to my successor in the said office all moneys due from me to the chamber of London at my decease. I likewise direct that all my just debts be discharged. "I give to Mr. John Smith, now an of ficer in the service of the East India company, formerly educated under monsieur Lauchoix at Paris, one hundred pounds.-I give to Mrs. Amelia Arnold the lease of the house at Kensington-Gore, No. 2; with all the household furniture, linen, china, Wedgewood and earthen-ware, plate, prints, pictures, beds, and books; for her sole use and benefit. I give to the said Amelia Arnold the running cash in the said house, and one thousand pounds.I give to Harriet Wilkes, now living at Kensington-Gore, No. 2, the lease of the house at Sandham, called Sandham Cottage, in the Isle of Wight; with all the household furniture, linen, china, Wedgewood and earthen-ware, plate, prints, pictures, beds, and books; for her sole use and benefit. I give to the said Harriet Wilkes the sum of two thousand pounds when she shall have completed her twenty-first year, and the interest of that sum in the mean time.-I give to William Montague, esq. principal clerk in the office of the chamberlain of London, two hundred pounds.-I give to Henry Parker, esq. of the chamber, twenty pounds; and to Mr. James Boudon ten pounds.-I give to Mr. Charles Montague, son of the said William Montague, twenty pounds. -I give to Mr. Richard Keys, Mr. James Byfield, and Mr. Thomas Smith, ten pounds each.-I give to all the servants living with me at my decease, five guineas each.-I give the lease of the house in Grosvenor-square; with all household furniture, linen, china, Wedgewood and earthenware, plates, prints, pictures, beds, and books, with any thing else on the premises; to my beloved daughter Mary Wilkes, her heirs and assigns for ever. I give all my real estates, and the rest of my personal estate, to the said Mary Wilkes, her heirs and assigns for ever.I desire to be buried in the parish where I die, in great privacy; and carried to the grave by six of the poorest men of the said parish, to each of whom I give a suit of coarse brown cloth and one guinea. I wish that a plain marble may be erected near the place where I shall be buried, with this inscription: "The remains of John Wilkes, a friend of liberty; born at London, Oct. 17, 1727, O. S. died in this parish."-I appoint the said Mary Wilkes executrix, and the said William Mon |