Note 40 — 1783.

Ince had a farm at the top of the Rock, which is still called by his name. He had an only son, a clerk in the Commissariat department at Gibraltar, under Commissary-general Sweetlove, who, together with his wife, died in the fever of 1804, leaving an infant son, who was brought up by his grandmother. The eldest daughter of Lieutenant Ince was married at Gibraltar to Lieutenant R. Stapleton, of the 60th Rifles, who exchanged with Lieutenant Croker into the 13th Foot, and then sold out.

One day Mr. Ince was trotting at an easy pace up the Rock, when the Duke of Kent, overtaking him, observed, “That horse, Mr. Ince, is too old for you.” “I like to ride easy, your Royal Highness,” was the subaltern’s meek reply. “Right, but you shall have another, more in keeping with your worth and your duties;” and soon afterwards the Duke presented him with a very valuable steed. The old overseer, however, was unable to manage the animal, and he rode again to the works on his own quiet nag. The Duke, meeting him soon after, inquired how it was he was not riding the new horse, when Ince replied, he was unable sufficiently to curb his spirit and tranquillize his pace. Ince then prayed his Royal Highness to honour his servant by receiving the noble creature into his stud again. “No, no, overseer,” rejoined the Duke; “if you can’t ride him easily, put him into your pocket!” The overseer readily understood his Royal Highness, and exchanged the beautiful steed for his worth in doubloons.