amed the "Tyger," while a nef belonging to
the Duke of Orleans was called the "Porquepy," meaning porcupine.
One of the historic salts, in another form, is the "Huntsman's
salt," and is kept at All Soul's College, Oxford. The figure of a
huntsman, bears upon its head a rock crystal box with a lid. About
the feet of this figure are several tiny animals and human beings,
so that it looks as if the intent had been to picture some gigantic
legendary hunter--a sort of Gulliver of the chase.

The table was often furnished also with a fountain, in which
drinking-water was kept, and upon which either stood or hung cups
or goblets. These fountains were often of fantastic shapes, and
usually enamelled. One is described as representing a dragon on
a tree top, and another a castle on a hill, with a convenient tap
at some point for drawing off the water.

The London City Companies are rich in their possessions of valuable
plate. Some of the cups are especially beautiful. The Worshipful
Company of Skinners owns some curious loving cups, emblematic of
the names of the donors. There are five Cockayne Loving Cups, made
in the form of cocks, with their tail feathers spread up to form
the handles. The heads have to be removed for drinking. These cups
were bequeathed by William Cockayne, in 1598. Another cup is in
the form of a peacock, walking with two little chicks of minute
proportions on either side of the parent bird. This is inscribed,
"The gift of Mary the daughter of Richard Robinson, and wife to
Thomas Smith and James Peacock, Skinners." Whether the good lady
were a bigamist or took her husbands in rotation, does not transpire.

An interesting cup is owned by the Vintners in London, called the
Milkmaid. The figure of a milkmaid, in laced bodice, holds above
her head a small cup on pivots, so that it finds its level when
the figure is inverted, as is the case when the cup is used, the
petticoat of the milkmaid forming the real goblet. It is constructed
on the same principle as the German figures of court ladies holding
up cups, which are often seen to-day, made on the old pattern. The
cups in the case of this milkmaid are both filled with wine, and
it is quite difficult to drink from the larger cup without spilling
from the small swinging cup which is then below the other. Every
member is expected to perform this feat as a sort of initiation.
It dates from 1658.

[Illustration: THE "MILKMAID CUP"]

One of the most beautiful