ASTRONO.MV IN WANSTEAD. 155 



Dr. Derham also mentions that the May Pole in the Strand'-' was 

 offered to him, but his " incapacity of accepting the Hivour .... 

 hath been the occasion of thit excellent glass being put into better 

 hands." 



This historic May Pole, about loo ft. in height, was taken down 

 in 1 71 7, 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 Aithereal Herd, 

 Here sometimes rais'd a Machine by my side. 

 Thro' which is seen the sparkling Milk}- 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,'' " Miscellaneous Works, &c., of Dr. James Bradley," 

 Oxford qto., 1832, we find mention of the cost of raising this pole, 

 etc. :— j; .. j. 



Tin and brass work for Hugen's telescope . 046 

 By an eye-glass for the long telescope . 026 

 B}- drink for men who raised the pole . 200 

 By several men, paid tliem ^ day's work 



for assisting in raising the pole . . o 17 o 



2 This new Maypole, replacing one which had been erected after the Restoration, had only 

 been set up in 1713, 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. 

 Marj'-le-Slrand, then in course of erection. The races in the " Diinciad " 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 'i" 



3 This account book was then in the possession of the Rev. Daniel Lysons, whose uncle 

 the R^v. Samuel Peach, married Dr. Bradley's only daughter. 



