152. Ademption explained.- If anything which has been specifically bequeathed does not belong to the testator at the time of his death, or has been converted into property of a different kind, the legacy is adeemed; that is, it cannot take effect, by reason of the subject- matter having been withdrawn from the operation of the will. Illustrations
(i) A bequeaths to B--" the diamond ring presented to me by C":" my gold chain":" a certain bale of wool":" a certain piece of cloth":" all my household goods which shall be in or about my dwelling- house in M. Street in Calcutta, at the time of my death."
A in his lifetime,-- sells or gives away the ring: converts the chain into a cup: converts the wool into cloth: makes the cloth into a garment: takes another house into which he removes all his goods. Each of these legacies is adeemed.
(ii) A bequeaths to B--" the sum of 1, 000 rupees, in a certain chest":" all the horses in my stable". At the death of A, no money is found in the chest, and no horses in the stable. The legacies are adeemed.
(iii) A bequeaths to B certain bales of goods. A takes the goods with him on a voyage. The ship and goods are lost at sea, and A is drowned. The legacy is adeemed.