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May-pole
(London). The races in the Dunciad take place “where the
tall May-pole overlooked the Strand.” On the spot now occupied by St.
Mary-le-Strand, anciently stood a cross. In the place of this cross a
May-pole was set up by John Clarges, a blacksmith, whose daughter
Ann became the wife of Monk, Duke of Albemarle. It was taken down in
1713, and replaced by a new one erected opposite Somerset House. This
second May-pole had two gilt balls and a vane on its summit. On
holidays the pole was decorated with flags and garlands. It was removed
in 1718, and sent by Sir Isaac Newton to Wanstead Park to support the
largest telescope in Europe. (See Undershaft.)
“Captain Baily ... employed four hackney coaches, with drivers in
liveries, to ply at the May pole in the Strand, fixing his own rates,
about the year 1634. Bailey's coaches seem to have been the first of
what are now called hackney coaches.” —Note 1. The Tatler, iv.
p. 415.
May-pole.
The Duchess of Kendal, mistress of George I.; so called because she
was thin and tall as a May-pole.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on May-pole from Infoplease:
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