The assent of an executor to a legacy to a life tenant inures to the benefit of the remainderman. At the termination of the life estate, the remainderman may take possession immediately unless the will provides for a sale or other act to be done for the purpose of or prior to a division, in which case the executor may recover possession for the purpose of executing the will. (Orig. Code 1863, § 2252; Code 1868, § 2244; Code 1873, § 2270; Code 1882, § 2270; Civil Code 1895, § 3105; Civil Code 1910, § 3681; Code 1933, § 85-709.)