THE WESTMINISTER TOBACCO BOX.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7697, 21 March 1887, Page 3

THE WESTMINISTER TOBACCO BOX.

This celebrated and envious relic about to bo on view at llio Weslinins Town Ifull. Originally tin's box was common horn, presented to the oversc liy out 1 of their number in 1713, but it 1 so grown in size Hint it is now enclosed

five cases, the whole being jnovered witl oak. The horn was capable of holdim three ounces of tobacco, and the lira recipients put a rim of silver about i bearing tho donor's name. '/ The nexi overseer's placed a silver ornament on tl« lid j and another year a band) of silvei was attached to tiie sides. Tfien snial plates were added, suitably inscribed oi ornamented, until the. box was entirety covered. An outer case was next manufactured, and, when that was covered witli silver plates, other cases were made, until there were fire in all. The ontei case is no\v'lßin. in height, and the oak pedestal and cover are cayialde of hearing forty or more plates. Many of the silvei plates aro of considerable interest, because they hear a pictorial record of some event of importance. The silver plate attached in 1746-7 bears' a portrait of the Dnke of Cumberland, engraved Ivy Hogarth in commemoration of the JJattle of Culloden. Another bears the portrait of John AVilkes. Other engravings arc well worth close examination. At tine time the box narrowly escaped destruction atthehands of thieves, and upon another occasion an overseer refused to give it up. This led to a suit in Chancery, which cost the obstinate fellow about £i>oo. The boxwas in 18G0-1 by the Queen, and in 1877 it wns exhibited at the Society of Antiquaries. •', The opportunities for public inspection are; very rare.— Home News. ■