The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-11 00:00:00

ANCIENT AND CLASSIC PILE

the writer feels can never be obliterated from his memory; his
mind on the instant was subdued into a most devout and reli-
gious feeling—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 in the length of an announcemt 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 in the historical account of Dugdale by selections
of her own, and guided by a judgment and cleverness that has never
been held in doubt. Mr. Robins feels it is a perfect godsend to him
to have had the gratification of snaking the acquaintance of this
gifted lady. To gratify the learned and the curious in distant parts,
it is proposed to append to the explanatory particulars of the Abbey
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 rs. It is
15 miles from Taunton, about 50 miles from Bristol, and within a
delightful ride of 5% hours from London (and the approaching rail-
way through Chard will reduce it to about 4 hours). The county in
which the abbey is placed will not yield to any other. The reader
need 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
THE FAT OF THE LAND

was not
ACCOUNTED TOO GOOD FOR THEIR REFINED TASTE.
This princely property is all freehold of inheritance, surrounded by a
park of great beauty, finely wooded, and full of deer—
The branching stag swept down with all his herd,
To quaff a brook which murmured like a bird.
It is adorned by
TIIE ORNAMENTAL WATERS, THE PROLIFIC WOODLAND
SCENERY, AND THE PERPETUAL WINDING OF THE
RIVER AXE,
Ford Abbey Is seated in the vale of the Axe (so famed by the disciples
of Izaac Walton for its piscatory pleasures and delicious trout)
winding in serpentine beauty through its fertile meadows. In the park
there is a never ceasing continuation of woods and water, struggling
for the ascendancy with cascades and waterfalls, to vary the scene,
sparkling with foam.
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.
In the park, the soft undulating foliage is perpetually relieving and
deluding the eye into a belief that it was of almost boundless extent.
It imparts Just such an air of tempered wildness as would gratify the
lover of scenery, without offence to those who are inclined to look
rather for the evidences of the superintending hand of care and culti-
vation. Indeed everything seems to increase the charms of a spot so
rich in nature's beauties. The famed river which environs it,
" Lost for a space through thickets veering,
But broader when again appearing,"
It may be asked,
" WHIT MORE CAN MORTALS NOW DESIRE ?"
The sporting qualities extend to everything a gentleman's heart
can contemplate ; by the way
THE MONKS' CELEBRATED WALK
is in high preservation. And to omit a panegyric upon
THE ANCIENT TAPESTRY THAT ADORNS ALL THE
STATE ROOMS
would approach sacrilege. It really and truly may be accounted the
WONDER AND ADMIRATION OF THE WORLD. It fearlessly
challenges a rival; and the writer is exceedingly desirous thatthe reader
should not for one moment charge this description with being too vivid.
He may rest assured here is no flight of fancy—it is a veri-
table and unassuming report. This] description, it is perceived, has
already extended beyond the limits prescribed, and therefore (with
lament) the writer ends this very imperfect recital, merely observing
that the tenantry are very rich, very contented, and very happy,
and are without one guinea of arrear; indeed, the latter word could
not find a place in their vocabulary. The rent is exceedingly low.
The demesne extends to
SIXTEEN HUNDRED ARES OF
MEADOW, PASTURE, ARAB EC RICH
AND WOOD LANDS,
NEARLY ALL TITHE-FREE, AND TAXES MODERATE.
Such is a faithful narrative, and it need not be observed is very un-
common ; indeed, seeing the abundance of unemployed capital (in
spite of the railway mania), and the little value of money, the
present is a most influential opportunity of possessing an invest-
ment in land, which is doubtless preferable to all others—for, as
it regards the alteration in the corn-laws, it has been observed by
Mr. Robins, in another notice of sale, a fact which every day renders
more and more certain.
" WE HAVE ALL BEEN MORE FRIGHTENED THAN HURT."
There are

MANORIAL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES
of considerable extent, and the estate is (all but) In a ring fence. The
neighbourhood is highly respectable ; many Lords and Nobles are
amongst those who prefer to domesticate in this splendid county.
Markets are everywhere abundant; in fact, Mr. Robins has taxed
his ingenuity in vain to try to discover a single blemish. The late
Jeremy Bentham occupied the Abbey for three years, commencing
In 1815, and from thence issued many of his most celebrated works.
The fill description, with plans and the famed drawing of the
Abbey, will be ready six weeks antecedent to the sale, and may be had
at the White Lion, Bristol; White Hart, Bath; New London Dm,
Exeter; the Chard Arms Hotel, at Chard ; Mr. Whitaker, 12, Lin-
eoln's Inn-tields, London ; the Castle at Taunton ; Mr. Salter, so-
licitor, Chard ; the Auction Mart ; and at Mr. George Robins's
offices, London (at One Shilling each, this being only with a view to
prevent e toeless and unprofitable distribution of the full particular,).
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