[Illustration:  THE “CROWN AND THISTLE INN,” ABINGDON.]

But we must not leave Abingdon without giving an account of another benefactor to the town, though rather on different lines, of whom a detailed account was given in Jackson’s Oxford Journal of November, 1767, from which it appeared that State lotteries were in vogue at that time in England.  The story chiefly related to a Mr. Alder, a cooper by trade, who kept a “little public house” called the “Mitre.”  His wife had handed him L22 to pay the brewer, but instead of doing so he only paid him L10, and with the other twelve bought a ticket for the lottery, the number of which was 3379.  The following precise account, copied from the Journal, will give the result, and show how events were described in newspapers in those days, the punctuation being carefully attended to, a more extensive use made of capital letters to distinguish the more important words, and some words written separately which now are joined together: 

Last Friday about one o’clock in the morning a Messenger in a Post Chaise and Four arrived Express at the Crown and Thistle in Abingdon, Berks., from the Office where his Ticket was sold and registered, to give Mr. Alder the owner of it, the most early Advice of his good Fortune, upon which Mr. Powell immediately went with the Messenger to carry this important Intelligence.  Mr. Alder was in Bed, but upon being called jumped out, and opened the Window; when Mr. Powell told him he had brought good News, for his Ticket was come up a Prize.  Mr. Alder replied that he knew very well it was only a Joke, but nevertheless he would come down and drink with him, with all his Heart.  This Point being settled, both Mr. Alder and his Wife came down; when the Prize still continued to be the Subject of Conversation whilst the Glass went round, and it was magnified by Degrees, till at length Mr. Alder was seriously informed that this Ticket was the Day before drawn a Prize for Twenty Thousand Pounds, and that the Gentleman then present was the Messenger of his Success.  Though the utmost Precaution had been used, it is natural to suppose that so sudden and unexpected an Acquisition must produce very extra ordinary Emotions:  Mr. Alder, however, supported him with great Decency, but almost immediately slipped out into the Yard behind his House, where he staid some little Time, probably to drop a joyful Tear, as well as to offer an Ejaculation for these Blessings of Providence; but at his Return into the House, we are told, he manifested a most open and generous Heart:  He was immediately for doing good, as well as rewarding every one who had in any wise been instrumental in the Advancement of his Fortune.  Mr. Powell was welcome to the Use of Half the Money without Interest; his Son, and all his Neighbours were called; he kept open House, set the Bells a’ringing, and came to the following Resolutions, viz.:  That the Messenger that came down, and the two Blue-coat