The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-09 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 CLASSIC AL 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
THE 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. Dugdale
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 IX 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 now
Still older mansion, of a rich and tare
Mix'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 he 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 of the Abbey, to be ready six weeks antecedent
to the sale.

The situation of this monastery is familiar to most of es. It is
on the borders of the three fine counties of Dorset, Devon, and
Somerset, 15 miles from Taunton, 3 from Chard, about 50 miles
from Bristol and Bath, and within a delightful ride of d 4 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 placed 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 best of everything, even