Jack loves to give a pet nickname to his
favourite officers. The gallant Edward Vernon (a Westminster man by
birth) was not exempted from the general rule. His gallantry and ardent
devotion to his profession endeared him to the service, and some merry
wags of the crew, in an idle humour, dubbed him "Old Grogham." Whilst in
command of the West Indian station, and at the height of his popularity
on account of his reduction of Porto Bello with six men-of-war only, he
introduced the use of rum and water by the ship's company. When served
out, the new beverage proved most palatable, and speedily grew into such
favour, that it became as popular as the brave admiral himself, and in
honour of him was surnamed by acclamation "Grog."
MACKENZIE WALCOTT, M.A.
P.S.--There are two other alms-basins in St. Margaret's worthy of note,
besides those I mentioned in your last number. One has the inscription,
"Live well, die never; die well and live ever. A.D. 1644 W.G." The other
has the appropriate legend, "Hee that gives too the poore lends unto
thee LORD." A third bears the Tudor rose in the centre. In an Inventory
made about the early part of the 17th century, are mentioned "one Bason
given by Mr. Bridges, of brasse." (The donor was a butcher in the
parish.) "Item, one bason, given by Mr. Brugg, of brasse." On the second
basin are the arms and crest of the Brewers' Company.
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