the identical copy of Homer used by Pope for his
translation, with the inscription, 'Finished ye translation in Feb.
1719-20--A. Pope,' and containing a pencil sketch of Twickenham Church
by the poet, were among the most interesting printed books in the
library. A remarkable and beautiful collection of about forty original
drawings, being portraits of Francis the First and Second of France, and
the members of their Courts, taken from life in pencil, tinted with red
chalk, by Janet; Callot's Pocket Book, with drawings by this master; and
fine collections of the works of Vertue and Hogarth also deserve to be
mentioned.

After Walpole's death Strawberry Hill and its contents passed to the
Hon. Mrs. Damer, the sculptress, daughter of his cousin, Field-Marshal
Conway, together with two thousand a year for its maintenance. After
residing in it for some time Mrs. Damer found the situation lonely, and
gave up the house and property to the Countess Dowager Waldegrave, in
whom the fee was vested under Walpole's will. In 1842, George, seventh
Earl Waldegrave, to whom Strawberry Hill had descended, ordered the
contents to be sold by George Robins, the well-known auctioneer. The
sale was advertised to occupy twenty-four days, from April 25th to May
21st. The catalogue was badly compiled, and so much dissatisfaction was
expressed at the intention of selling some of the collections _en
masse_, that the contents of the seventh and eighth days' sale, which
consisted of prints, drawings, and illustrated books, were withdrawn,
re-catalogued, and disposed of at a sale at Robins's rooms at Covent
Garden, which lasted from the 13th to the 23rd of June. The amount
realised at the sale at Strawberry Hill was twenty-nine thousand six
hundred and twelve pounds, sixteen shillings and threepence; and at that
in London, three thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven pounds, fifteen
shillings and sixpence. The library, consisting of books, manuscripts,
prints, etc., sold for about seven thousand seven hundred and forty
pounds. The copy of the Psalms, with illuminations ascribed to Giulio
Clovio, fetched four hundred and forty-one pounds; the volume of English
poetry, two hundred and twenty pounds, ten shillings; the 'Missal'
executed for Queen Claude, one hundred and fifteen pounds, ten
shillings; and the manuscripts and letters of Madame du Deffand, one
hundred and fifty-seven pounds, ten shillings.

RALPH WILLETT, 1719-1795

Ralph Willet