I think we also need to consider that if the Old Gentleman had lef the property in some way to the Dashwood girls instead of throuhg the male line of Henry Dashwood, his son John and ultimately his son Harry, then the name "Dashwood" would, most probably have not been associated with the estate any longer.

And this would have been an important point for the old gentleman to consider.

Leaving the property in his will as he did, the line of inheritance of his beloved estate would have been secure( barring a terrrible financial clamity) for at least three generations of Dashwoods.

This would have been,IMVHO,the overriding concern when he was making his will.

The existance of an established line of male inheritors(Henry, John and Harry Dashwood) was the deciding factor,IMHO.

If the Old Genteman had left Norland in some way to the Dashwood girls( say he had a freak of charity an left it to Elinor, Marianne and Margaret equallly, after their father had inherited it) then, in all liklihood, the estate would have had to be sold to "pay the girls out" in equal sums of money.

Consider that even if he had left it, say, to the eldest girl, Elinor, then, when she married( an almost certain event) the name of Dashwood would no longer be associated with Norland, and Elinor's husband's name( unless she asked him to change it a la Edward Knight)would become the new owners name henceforth.

And it is these dynastic reasons which explain the old Gentleman's "caprice", not merely Harry's many cunning tricks, IMHO :-).