David Copperfield, Probate Attorney
I try to read one Charles Dickens novel per year. Last year I chose Bleak House, mostly because I knew it centered on a probate matter. (I posted a review here.) This year I chose David Copperfield, mostly because our bookcase contained a copy of it. Imagine my surprise when I found that it also contains references to probate matters. In the middle of the book, Copperfield becomes a law clerk in the Doctor's Commons. It becomes clear (in Chapter XXVI) that Copperfield's work involves probate when Copperfield speaks with his boss, Mr. Spenlow:
I asked Mr. Spenlow what he considered the best sort of professional business? He replied that a good case of a disputed will, where there was a neat little estate of thirty or forty thousand pounds, was, perhaps, the best of all. In such a case, he said,... the costs being pretty sure to come out of the estate at last, both sides went at it in a lively and spirited manner, and expence was no consideration.
Later (in Chapter XXXI), Copperfield helps his old nurse Pegotty after the death of her husband, Mr. Barkis:
But I am afraid I had a supreme satisfaction, of a personal and professional nature, in taking charge of Mr. Barkis's will, and expounding its contents.I may claim the merit of having originated the suggestion that the will should be looked for in [Mr. Barkis's] box....
[Mr. Barkis's] property in money amounted to nearly three thousand pounds. Of this he bequeathed the interest of one thousand to Mr. Peggotty for his life, on his decease, the principal to be equally divided between Peggotty, little Emily, and me, or the survivor or survivors of us, share and share alike. All the rest he died possessed of, he bequeathed to Peggotty, whom he left residuary legatee, and sole executrix of that, his last will and testament.
I felt myself quite a proctor, when I read this document aloud with all possible ceremony, and set forth its provisions.... I examined the will with the deepest attention, pronounced it perfectly formal in all respects, made a pencil-mark or so in the margin, and thought it rather extraordinary that I knew so much.
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