ASTRONOMY IN WANSTEAD. 155
Dr. Derham also mentions that the May Pole in the Strand 2 was
offered to him, but his "incapacity of accepting the favour ....
hath been the occasion of that excellent glass being put into better
hands."
This historic May Pole, about 100 ft. in height, was taken down
in 1717, bought by Sir Isaac Newton, Kt., and presented to
Dr. Pound. It was brought down on a carriage into Wanstead
in April, 1718, and set up in the Park not far from the Rectory.
The exact position is now unknown, but, in my opinion, it was
probably on the higher and more open ground between the Rectory
and the Church.
In the enlarged edition of Stow's "Survey of London," 1720,
by Rev. John Strype, Vicar of Low Leyton, we are informed, "It
had not long been set up there (in Wanstead) but these witty verses
were fastened upon it by an unknown hand :—
" Once I adorn'd the Strand,
But now have found
My way to POUND,
In Baron Newton's land.
Where my aspiring Head aloft is rear'd,
T' observe the Motions of the AEthereal Herd,
Here sometimes rais'd a Machine by my side,
Thro' which is seen the sparkling Milky Tide :
Here oft I'm scented with a balmy Dew,
A pleasing Blessing which the Strand ne'er knew.
There stood I only to receive Abuse,
But here converted to a nobler Use ;
So that with me all Passengers will say,
I'm better far than when the Pole of May."
In the account book of Dr. Pound mentioned and quoted by
Prof. Rigaud,3 "Miscellaneous Works, &c., of Dr. James Bradley,"
Oxford qto., 1832, we find mention of the cost of raising this pole,
2 This new Maypole, replacing one which had heen erected after the Restoration, had only
been set up in 17J3, with two gilt balls and a vane on the top. It stood opposite Somerset
House, and is supposed to have been pulled down from being in the way of the new church, St.
Mary-le-Strand, then in course of erection. The races in the "Dunciad" took place—
" Where the tall Maypole overlooked the Strand."
It is also mentioned by Bramston in his "Art of Politicks," 8vo, 1731,—
"What's not destroy'd by Time's devouring Hand?
Where's Troy, and where's the Maypole in the Strand V
3 This account book was then in the possession of the Rev. Daniel Lysons, whose uncle
the Rev. Samuel Peach, married Dr. Bradley's only daughter.