TESTIMONIAL TO WILLIAM ROBINSON, ESQ. 583 
the immediate carrying* out of the intention, but the delay % 
gave an opportunity, which was gladly embraced, for the 
friends of Mr. Robinson generally to subscribe towards the 
graceful tribute it was proposed to render him, and ultimately 
a handsome sum, contributed by the nobility, gentry, 
farmers, and tradesmen of the neighbourhood, and by many 
of his professional friends in London and elsewhere, was 
realised for the purchase of a splendid piece of plate. The 
testimonial consisted of a richly wrought center-piece in 
silver, representing Criethonius introducing the horse to the 
Athenians. The appropriate incident chosen for illustration 
by the artist, Mr. Charles Grant, is from the works of Arrian. 
It is recorded that about the time of Moses, some Egyptians 
introduced the horse to the inhabitants of the north of Greece, 
and about sixty years afterwards another colony introduced 
it into the south of Greece, the leader being called Enich- 
thonius, or the Horse-tamer. The subject is pourtrayed by 
a figure of the Egyptian on horseback, displaying before the 
admiring and surprised Athenians the noble qualities and 
management of his charger. In the centre of this group rises 
a palm tree, arranged to support a richly cut glass dish for 
flowers or fruit. The figures of the horse and men are most 
beautifully executed, and reflect great credit on the artist. 
The testimonial also included a richly chased silver tea and 
coffee service, comprising coffee-pot, tea-pot, sugar-basin, and 
cream-jug. On the shield of one of the Athenian figures, and 
on the tea and coffee pot, the following inscription is engraved : 
— “Presented to Wm. Robinson, Esq., of Bonehill Cottage, 
Tamworth, M.R.C.V.S., and late President of that body, by 
a large circle of his friends, in grateful acknowledgment of 
his high professional attainments and private] worth, a.d. 
1854.” The plate is from the celebrated manufactory of 
Messrs. Elkington, Mason, and Co., of Birmingham, and 
cost, we believe, about 260 guineas. 
The Chairman rose and said that it was now his duty, 
which he had very great pleasure in performing, of bringing 
before their notice the especial object for which they had 
assembled that evening. They were met together for the 
purpose of presenting a testimonial to their friend Mr. 
Robinson — (cheers) — and they would agree with him when 
he said that he was richly deserving of the testimonial they 
were about to offer, and of everything which could be said in 
his favour. (Renewed cheering). He deserved not only 
their respect but their gratitude — (hear, hear) — and he 
trusted that he would accept that beautiful piece of plate as a 
guarantee that his most valuable professional services during 
