Poison and the fear of death were always prominently before our ancestors in the Middle Ages. The wine cup was an easy means in perpetrating revenge; in consequence crystal goblets, which were supposed to split or change colour when poison was present, were much in vogue. There were various forms of standing cups. The craftsman expended his skill and invention in producing novelties. It thus happens that these creations exhibit the silversmith’s cunning at its best. A very interesting cup and cover is that known as the “Westbury.” It is a fine example of the Elizabethan silversmith’s work, and is silver-gilt. It is, as is shown in the illustration, in the form of an acorn on a stem with flattened knob, and spreading moulded base, with turned knob to the cover. The cup of the acorn is cleverly suggested by a series of stamped rings. This cup has an inscription which runs: Given to the Church of Westbury by Collonel Waucklen and Mary Contes of Malbrou. 1671. On the cover are the initials of the donors, T. W. and M. M. According to Hoare’s _Wiltshire_, and Cockayne’s _Complete Peerage, Extinct and Dormant_, Mary, widow of the second Earl of Marlborough, was married to one Thomas Waucklen, son of a blacksmith. This is not too great a demand on our credulity, as a _cause de célèbre_ in the courts disclosed the fact only a few years ago that a countess was married to the son of a coachman who had posed as a prince. We do not know in what manner Colonel Waucklen gained his military title. He possibly may during the “late wars” have emulated Hudibras, When civil dudgeons first grew high, And out he rode a-colonelling. But scandal there is which has settled heavily on the cup and its donors. It is stated that at the time of its gift to the church of Westbury, Mary the Countess had been dead a year and was buried in a turnip field. This Elizabethan cup made its public appearance in the middle of the reign of Charles II, and the said inscription would seem to have been placed upon it by the “Collonel” to screen the fact that his wife was dead. It would appear to have been for a long time in domestic use before it was handed over to the custody of the Church. It bears the London hall-mark for 1585. [Illustration: PEPYS STANDING CUP AND COVER. _c._ 1677. Height 23 in. With inscription in shield at base, “Samuel Pepys. Admiralitati Angl: Secretis & Societ: Pannif: Lond: Mr. An. MDCLXXVII.” (_By courtesy of the Company of Clothworkers._)] The Stoneware Jug