The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-01 00:00:00

THROUGHOUT ENGLAND.

And in the descriptiontlliineCessiiiiinii;tfollow, 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

THE AD ABBEY DEMESNES
are to be traced back to a very distant day-, and it has ever sin.
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 now
Still older mansion, of a rich and rare
Mix'd Gothic, such as artists all allow
Few specimens yet left us can compare.

Its classic front -
EXTENDS TO NEAR THREE HUNDRED FEET.

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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 ofan 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 ajudgment 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.
The situation of this monastery is familiar to most of us. It is
on the borders of the three fine counties of Dorset, Devon, and
Somerset, 15 miles from Taunton, S from Chard, about 50 miles
from Bristol and Bath, and within a delightful ride of 534 hours
ttom 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
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 with 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
TFITE-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 wild-
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,
yBI
nar Broad
river, which
tt
currents
through
trgsehns
softened
deeptee
neaeldmawen
radywfreshly fed
take
re a
d.
TIIE RIVER AXE
SO renowned by the disciples of laaak Walton for its placatory
pleasures and delicious trout, winds, in serpentine beauty, through
the fair demesne.

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Lost for a space through thickets veering,
But broader when again appearing.
It 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,
"WHAT 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 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 ex-
ceedingly desirous that the reader should not for one
moment charge this description with being too 'vivid.
He may rest assured here is no flight of fancy, but 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 terms used by the foundress of the abbey when she tendered
to the holy fathers her manor of Thorncombe, in exchange for the
barren lands of Brightley, stating it to be " well wooded and fertile,"
are trebly appropriate in the present day, in proof whereof it may
be stated that the Messrs. Fowler, of Grainge Farm (the principal
estate), bred a horn ewe in 1833, which weighed 18st. 41b., and for
size and beauty it has never been equalled. The tenantry are very
respectable, and without one guinea of arrear ; indeed, the latter
word could not find a place in their vocabulay. The rent is exceed-
ingly low. The demesne extends to nearly
TWELVE HUNDRED ACRS OF RICH
MEADOW PASTURE, ARABLE; AND WOOD LANDS,
MOSTLY TITHE-FREE, AND TAXES MODERATE.
Such is a faithful narrative, that 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 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, that
WEHAVE ALL BEEN MORE FRIGHTENED THAN HURT."
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 ad-
joining county of Somerset, are the splendid seats of Earl Ponlett and
Lord Bridport. Markets are ever where abundant ; in fact, Mr.
Robins has taxed his ingenuity 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,
solicitor, The Close, Exeter ; Mr. Salter, solicitor, Chard ; the Auction
Mart ; and at Mr. George Robins's offices, London, at Two Shill-
ings eaoh,,,(this being with the soleview to prevent a useless and unpro-
fitable Mlbutiou al the Atli particular.)