When London did not extend so far as Knightsbridge, George II. as he was
one morning riding, met an old soldier who had served under him at the
battle of Dettingen; the king accosted him, and found that he made his
living by selling apples in a small hut. "What can I do for you?" said
the king.--"Please your majesty to give me a grant of the bit of ground
my hut stands on, and I shall be happy."--"Be happy," said the king, and
ordered him his request. Years rolled on, the appleman died, and left a
son, who from dint of industry became a respectable attorney. The then
chancellor gave lease of the ground to a nobleman, as the apple-stall
had fallen to the ground, where the old apple man and woman laid also.
It being conceived the ground had fallen to the crown, a stately mansion
was soon raised, when the young attorney put in claims; a small sum was
offered as a compromise and refused; finally, the sum of four hundred
and fifty pounds per annum, ground rent, was settled upon.