The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-30 00:00:00

SALES BY AUCTION.

FORD ABBEY, IN DORSETSHIRE.
THE GREAT AND PROUD FEATURE OF THE COUNTY, THE
FORD ABBEY ESTATE, WITH ITS NEVER-ENDING DE-
LIGHTS, THE INVALUABLE FISHERY, ABUNDANCE OF
GAME, AND SPORT OF EVERY DESCRIPTION, AND,
" THOUGH LAST NOT LEAST IN OUR DEAR LOVE," THE
MAGNIFICENTLY FINE ABBEY, PRESENTING BY FAR
THE MOST CLASSICAL AND CELEBRATED MONASTERY
THROUGHOUT ENGLAND. THE PRESENT LOW RENTAL
ARISING FROM THIS FINE PROPERTY, INCLUDING THE
VALUE OF THE ABBEY AND LANDS IN HAND, AND ON
LEASE FOR LIVES, IS ABOUT 2,0001. A YEAR. IT IS
NEARLY ALL TITHE-FREE, AND THE TENANTRY BOTH
WEALTHY AND RESPECTABLE. AN IMPERATIVE SALE.
MR. GEORGE ROBINS feels much gratifica-
tion in having been preferred to OFFER for PUBLIC COM.
PETITION, at the Auction Mart, London, on THURSDAY, the 9th
of July, at Twelve o'clock, and in One Lot, by direction of the trus-
tees for absolute sale, one of
TIIE MOST MAGNIFICENT FREEHOLD INVESTMENTS
THROUGHOUT ENGLAND.
And in the description that necessarily must follow, Mr. Robins,
without the slightest affectation, proclaims that he ap-
proaches the task with fear and trembling. The only saving clause by
which he can well seek to soften the reproaches of an enlightened and
deeply-read community is alone to be found in the liberty the com-
poser will take with authors so highly gifted, that he must indeed be
a bold man who will not yield assent to his researches. Dugdalc
is no mean authority, and with this, and a few introductory facts, the
herculean task must be approached.

THE FORD ABBEY DEMESNES
are to be traced back to a very distant day, and it has ever since
maintained its proud superiority over

EVERY OTHER MONASTERY IN ENGLAND.
It is a splendidly grand and unique building, altogether realising
Lord Byron's glowing description of Norman Abbey--
An old, old monastery once, and new
Still older mansion, of a rich and i are
111ix'd Gothic, such as artists all allow
Few specimens yet left us can compare.
Its classic front

EXTENDS TO NEAR THREE HUNDRED FEET.
The order of architecture is in the Tudor style, and may be dated
about the time of Henry VIII. ; but to describe it as it deserves is
felt to be far beyond the reach of the limited capacity of the com-
poser, and even much wiser heads would be puzzled in the attempt
to do it justice—it is indeed

THE GREAT LEVIATHAN OF THE WEST.
Its fame has been held in the highest veneration from generation to
generation, and it is now avowed to have no successful rival amid
the vast variety of monasteries to be found throughout the country.
The first impression on beholding this
ANCIENT AND CLASSIC PILE
the writer feels can never be obliterated from his memory; his
mind on the instant seemed to be subdued Into a most devout and reli-
gious state—one of absolute wonder—mixed up with bound-
less admiration; it was a joyous spectacle, but Mr. Robins cannot
too earnestly invoke all those who possess a soul congenial with ob-
jects of antiquity to go to the Abbey, and then judge for themselves ;
they will, with one accord, proclaim how absolutely impossible it is
to convey in suitable terms the panegyric which would be awarded
to it. However, these preliminary remarks must arrive at a conclu-
sion ; the form prescribed to the length of an announcement will not ad-
mit of more, but the writer promises, in his printed particulars, to
go into a little historical statement that will be acceptable, at
least to the learned, and all such as are well versed in our history ;
and he is fortunately enabled, by the assistance of a very highly
talented lady, to aid the historical account of Dugdale by selections
of her own, and guided by a judgment and cleverness that has never
been held in doubt. To gratify the learned and the curious in distant
parts, Mr. Robins has determined to append to the explanatory par-
ticulars of the several farms and lands a plan of the whole, with a
beautiful drawing c,f the Abbey, to be ready six weeks antecedent
to the sale.
The situation of this monastery is familiar to most of Cs. It is
on the borders of the three fine counties of Dorset, Devon, and
Sorset, 15 miles from Taunton, 3 from Chard, about 50 niiles
from an Bristol d Bath, and within a deligh;ful ride of 5% hours
from London, which the approaching railway through Chard will
reduce to about 4 hours, and also bring it within fifty
minutes' ride of Exeter. The county in Which the Abbey
is paced will not yield to any other. The reader needs not
be reminded that, in days of yore, the taste of the monks
in the selection of their lands was never questioned, and, amidst all
the good things of this world, they were remarkable for the accuracy
of their judgment.
In selecting the beet of everything, even
THE FAT OF THE LAND

was not
ACCOUNTED TOO GOOD FOR THEIR REFINED TASTE.
This princely property is all freehold of inheritance, surrounded by
lawns and pleasure-grounds, with gravelled walks between rows of
umbrageous trees of great size and stateliness, interspersed lyith or-
namental waters, cascades, and waterfalls sparkling with foam, and
here and there a statue to diversify the scene. The Park, which is
one of great beauty, is stocked with deer, whose venison has ob-
tained the highest celebrity for its fatness and fine flavour, while the
soft undulating foliage of its magnificent and
TIME-HONOURED TREES
is perpetually deluding the eye into a belief that It was of almost
boundless extent, and imparting just such an air of tempered witti-
ness as would gratify the lover of scenery, without offence to those
who are inclined to look rather for the evidences of the superintend-
ing hand of care and cultivation. Indeed everything seems to in-
crease the charms of a spot so rich in nature's beauties. Of the orna-
mental waters in front of the Abbey it is recOrded—
Before the mansion lay a lucid lake,
Broad as transparent, deep and freshly fed
. By a river, which its softened way did take
In currents through the calmer waters spread.
THE RIVER AXE
So renowned bz•licthioeusditrscolupt, leswinefds, Isain serpentineaklVaitonfobreaiutstnpitshrcaotugorri
pleasures and
the fair demesne.

Lost for a space through thickets veering,
But broader when again appearing.
was here that _ _

... ......
The branching stag swept down with all his herd,
To quaff a brook which murmured like a bird.
It may still be asked,
" WHIT MORE CAN MORTALS NOW DESIRE P"
The sporting qualifies extend to everything a gentleman's heart
can contemplate ; by the way,
THE MONKS' CELEBRATED WALK

iso.mritTalpannsegTyßryic upon
ADORNS THE STATE ROOMS
THAT
would approach
is in high preservation. And
ADMIRATION OF THE WORLD.
WONDER AND AVICItEo
rival; and the Writer is ex-
sacrilege. It really and truly may be accounted the
It fearlessly challenges
ceedingly desirous that t
with being too vivid.
moment charge this description
no flight of fancy, but a veri-
table may rest assured here is .
a the reader should not for one
table and unassuming report. ,
(with
bed, and therefore already extended beyond the limits prescribed,
merely observing
lament) the writer ends thivery imperfect recital,
she tendered
that the terms used by the foundress of the abbey When
This description, it is perceived, has
barren lands of Brightley, stating it to be " well wooded and fertile,"
to the holy fathers her manor of Thornoottibe, in exchange for the
are trebly appropriate in the present day, in proof whereof it may be stated that the Messrs. Fowler, of Grainge Farm (the principal
e.izsto ate), bred a horn ewe in 1833, which weighed 18st. 41b., and PDr
and beauty it has never been equalled. The tenantry are very
respectable' and without one guinea of arrear; indeed, the latter
D)
AneCa
word could not find a pllceexhitentlgir vocabulay
ingly low. The demesne . The rent is exceed-
Irtil OF RICH
MEADOWTWELVE HUNDRE PASTURE, ARAn
TAXES MODERATE.
need not be observed is Very tul.
indeed, seeing the abunctia
it.O.STfLaiThiliTllT4lrEr;FtißveE,Et,haAt ir,DLE, ANn IMOD LANDS,
t),
and
tTee of unemployed capital (in
commonSu ch 3
tie value of money, the
spite of the railway maw
present is a moA inraential opportunitlit
meat in 1..1"..ii which is prenrableY or
PossesOstillgergall roirr?'"ats'
it,regards the ;iteration in the corn-Ims to
haalls been bbserved by
Mr. Robins, in another notice of sale, a fact which every day renders
MORE FRIGHTENED THAN IIIIRT."
moret\_EallnAdlinTEorAeLceztßaEinz,Nthat
There are
MANORIAL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES
of considerable extent, and the principal part of the estate is within
a ring fence. The neighbourhood is highly respectable ; many Lords
and Nobles are amongst those who prefer to domesticate in this
admired county, and within a few miles of the abbey, in the al-
joining county of Somerset, are the splendid seats of Earl Poulett and
Lord Bridport. Markets are everywhere abundant ; in fact, Mr.
Robins has taxed his in;enuity In vain to try to discover a fault.
The full description, with plans and a drawing of the famed
Abbey, are ready and may be had at the White Lion Inn, Bristol ;
White Hart, Bath ; Castle, Taunton ; Chard Arms Hotel, Chard
Mr. Whitaker, solicitor, 12, Lincoln's Inn-fields, London ; Mr. Paul,
solie tor,'l he Close, Exeter; Mr. Salter, solicitor, Chard ; the Auctieal
Mart ; and at Mr. George Robins's offices, London, at Two Stall-
ings:each, (this beingaviththe soleviewtoprevent a mien and nrpro.
StAblo atglriltution orthe fall partioulara),