_Clement's Inn._--I am an attorney; one of my predecessors in business
was steward of Clement's Inn. He died, and his partner removed from the
Inn to the City. I was articled to the partner, and I recollect that up
to the time of his death, which occurred in 1837, he used to receive an
annual visit from the minor officials of the inn, beadle, porter, &c.,
who presented four oranges, and received in return half a guinea. I used
generally to suck the oranges, but it never entered my head to inquire
what was the origin of the custom. You have probably a correspondent or
reader amongst the "ancients" of the venerable society I have mentioned,
who may be able to trace the origin of the custom which gave me the
privilege of sucking the oranges in question.