Page 153 - Reading Mercury

th
Mon 9 Aug
Reading, Saturday, August 7
From the communication of a correspondent we feel justified to enlarge on a
statement inserted last week from Wokingham, on the subject of a Silver Cup and
Cover presented to James Webb Esq., late Captain Commandant of the Armed
Association of that Town, conjointly by the late Corps and Inhabitants, as a testimony
of the esteem entertained by everyone for his conduct as their Commanding Officer,
and the other for the local protection and security afforded them, by the truly patriotic
discharge of his duties as a Citizen and a Soldier.
--The Cup, which is an Urn or Vase is exquisite both in design and execution...contain
a gallon of wine, and weighs upwards of an 100 ounces. The inside is richly-gilt, in
the front is an inscription adapted to the occasion, encircled by wreaths of laurel and
elegantly chased; on the reverse, an Acorn with leaves (the Crest of the Town) chased
and encompassed with proper ornaments. A smaller crest forms the button on the
cover, and is most beautifully chased. The whole is a superb piece of plate, and truly
valuable from the sentiments which induced its donation.

1803

1804
th
Mon 11 June
KING’S BIRTHDAY (George III)
At Wokingham, in honour of his Majesty’s birth-day, the inhabitants testified the
most distinguished marks of heart-felt satisfaction. Every class united in genuine
expressions of loyalty and fervent wishes for his future preservation. In the afternoon
the Forest Volunteers assembled, and marching to a lawn, near the town, performed
the customary evolutions with promptness and precision, to the gratification of their
commanding officer, Major Webb, and the surrounding spectators. From thence they
paraded to the Market-place, preceded by music, drums and fifes, and forming in
martial array, after various manoeuvres, fired three excellent vollies. The scene that
followed may be better conceived than expressed. When the music ceased playing
God save the King, the plaudits from every individual of the numerous assemblage of
persons, in three huzzas, rending the air, was extremely expressive, conveying the
most decided and devoted affection for the beloved Monarch.

1805

1806

st
Mon 21 July
CRICKET
On Wednesday last a grand match of cricket was played at Chapel-Green, between
the gentlemen of Wokingham, and the gentlemen of Finchampstead, which was won
by the former, by 60 runs. The odds at the beginning of the game were six to four in
favour of Finchampstead.

1807

151