POPE'S MONUMENTAL TREE. rro THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—With
further reference to "Pope's Retreat." as described in Mr. Matthews's interesting letter in the Spectator of August 11th, your readers may be pleased to hear that the identical tree under which the youthful poet became inspired with many of his strains is still in existence. Thus, his "Autumn Pastoral" commences :— " Beneath the shads a spreading Beech displays, Hylas and _Egon sung their rural lays," &c.
So notorious was the poet's habit of frequenting this beech- wood (half-a-mile from "Pope's Retreat," and possibly the property of his father at that time), that it is known as "Pope's Wood ;" and the new residences, along the modern road adjoining, are named Pope's Wood House, Lodge, Villa, Cottage, and Post-Office respectively. In No. 185 of the Penny Magazine, February 21st, 1835, there appears an account of this tree, with a sketch of it as it stood about ten years previously, viz., 1825, when the writer last saw it. A few years before, he had seen it in full vigour, with an inscription placed on it by Lady. Gower, "Here Pope sung." But when last seen by him, the head of the tree had been blown off by a recent storm, and was lying on the ground, as delineated in the woodcut,—the inscription remaining, apparently about twenty feet from the ground.
Having this day visited the spot, I find the trunk covered with ivy ; but there can be no shadow of doubt as to the veritable tree, which is of considerable size, without a head, and the only patriarch of the wood,—i.e., there are several sons, and numerous great and great-great grandsons, but no other of the same venerable age. It, moreover, skirts the wood facing the view, and many of the older inhabitants remember the inscription.
Any one desirous of seeing this interesting and valuable
living monument, may easily identify it without a guide; especially if the magazine article above referred to is looked at previously. Travelling by South-Western (Reading line) to Bracknell, inquire for the "Stag and Hounds," Binfield, one and a half miles; proceed to the left Of this house, and take the first on the left beyond. The next gate past a farm-house in this lane will bring the visitor to the tree, which, indeed, may-
be recognised on the left, almost directly after passing the "Stag and Hounds."
Surely something should be done to preserve this historic relic,—a seat should be placed round it, protected by a stout iron railing. The prospect therefrom is charming, though not extensive. A capital spot for a pic-nic.---I am, Sir, &c.,
Kingscote, Wokenham, August 20th. T. BAKER.
[Spare us at least the "stout iron railing." These railings are utterly destructive of the best effects of rural beauty.—ED. Spectator.]
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