Page:The Economic Journal Volume 1.djvu/309

RICHARD CANTILLON 287 (including 7,180 livres, old arrears of the Paris Benedictines) and small annuities (one of 100 pounds on the Benedictines). Other effects are an estate in Louisiana, Panama Lacos, furniture, plate, &c.; 'A gold watch, a book of Mappes, Cornelius Nepos, a Silver Opera Ticket, a couple of saddle horses, an old chariot.' On Monday, May 14th, 1734, Richard Cantilion was dri?qng about London to his friend Garvan's in the Middle Temple, and to a house at Queen Square, Westminster, where he supped, and was set down at his door at ten at night. Accord- ing to the evidence of a servant the next day, ? 'for about three weeks last past his Master had taken the key of the Street-Door up into his Bed-Chamber; and [the Examinant] believes his reason for so doing was upon some Distaste he took to a Servant discharg'd three weeks ago; but that last Night he left the key, together with his Watch, below in the Parlour; and believes it was on account of this Examinant's being to go early in the morning to take a Box for him in the Opera; because that he gave him Directions for that purpose .... his Master last Night .... u?ndrest himself in the Parlour as usual, took his Candle and Book, and went up to Bed soon after; told this Examinant he would read.' This, it seems, was usual practice. It was at first supposed that Cantilion fell asleep with his candle burning, and set fire to the house by accident. But facts soon transpired which left little doubt that the dismissed servant, Joseph Denier, alias Le Blanc, entered the house in the night with the complicity of the other servants (three men and two maids), and, having murdered and robbed his former master, set fire to the house. He made good his escape to Holland, by way of Hatwith. ? Three of the servants were tried for Cantillon's murder at the Old Bailey in December, but were acquitted. His ashes were probably buried in London, an entry in the executor's accounts reading: ' By an Undertaker for burying the Remains of Richard Cantilion, ?6 2s. 6d.' Cantillon's will, written and signed by himself, but unattested, bore date July 12, 1732. Legacies of ?11,200 were left to his brothers Thomas and Bernard, the first his senior, his niece Catherine, nephews, Richard and Thomas Cantilion, and his friends Garvan and Lord Micklethwait, the last two his execu- tors. Provision was made for his wife, and the residue left to and his ? Old Bailey Sessions Papers, 1734. ? See The Weekly Miscellany, by Richard Hooker, of the Temple, Esq., 1734, for details of the affair.