_For the Table Book._
TENURE OF THE ANCIENT MANOR OF BILSINGTON PRIORY, THE SEAT OF THOMAS
CARR RIDER, ESQ.
The manor of Bilsington inferior was held in grand sergeantry in the
reign of Edward III. by the service of presenting three maple cups at
the king’s coronation and, at the time of the coronation of Charles
II., by the additional service of carrying the last dish of the second
course to the king’s table. The former service was performed by Thomas
Rider, who was knighted (Mos pro Lege) by his late majesty George III.,
when the king, on receiving the maple cups from the lord of the manor,
turned to the mayor of Oxford, who stood at his right hand, and, having
received from him for his tenure of that city a gold cup and cover, gave
him these three cups in return.
* * * * *
ANECDOTE OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS WASHINGTON AND THE CELEBRATED ADMIRAL
VERNON, UNCLE TO THE LATE EARL OF SHIPBROOK.
When the admiral was attacking Porto Bello, with his six ships only, as
is described on the medal struck on the occasion, he observed a fine
young man in appearance, who, with the most intrepid courage, attended
with the most perfect calmness, was always in that part of the ship
which was most engaged. After the firing had ceased, he sent his captain
to request he would attend upon him, which he immediately obeyed; and
the admiral entering into conversation, discovered by his answers and
observations that he possessed more abilities than usually fall to the
lot of mankind in general. Upon his asking his name, the young man told
him it was George Washington; and the admiral, on his return home,
strongly recommended him to the attention of the admiralty. This great
man, when he built his house in America, out of gratitude to his first
benefactor, named it “Mount Vernon,” and at this moment it is called so.
* * * * *
~Zoology.~