POPE'S VILLA AT TWICKENHAM.

Inangahua Times, Issue 78, 4 September 1878, Page 2

POPE'S VILLA AT TWICKENHAM.

Thero was a lnnjo nttendanco at tho Auction Mart, in London, n-hero Mossrs Lumloy offorcd for snlo Pope's Villa nt Twickenham. Tho poet purchased tho property in 1715, nnd losidnd thoro until his death in 1741 Tho property oflVred included tho wholo of tho mounds, firo acres in extent, with tlio cedar and other valuablo growing timber, togcthor with tho grotto wln'ch tho poet formed, nnd which is suid to remain intact to tlio present dny. The illustrated folio pnm« phlot issued by the auctioneers, containing an elabornto description of the tnmsion and grounds, with woll-cxocutcd views of the villa and the grotto, wns ?>o]A nt ss, the possession of which was a passport to view tho properly. Tho nnctionccr buying enlarged upon tho great valuo of tho proporlj, not only in renpoot of its historical character, but nlso as regards Hseliciblo situation, invited bidding. TUo first offor mado was £5000, which wis immodintoly followed l>y an advance of £1000, and by further advances to £8000, whon thero was n pause on which th»> anctioneor remarked Hint the cedars of Lebanon, planted lonx boforo tho poot's timo, and probably tho oldest in England, wore, with tho rest of Iho timber on the estate, estimated to be worth £dOOO. Ultimately tho bidding roso to £9100, whon thero being no furthor ndvnnco, tho proporty was bought in nt £14000*, but it wns stated in the room that this sum was nominal, and that tho proporty will probably bo purchased privatoly at a loss sum.