The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-25 00:00:00

THROUGHOUT ENGLAND.

AO 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 corn-
weer will take with authors so highly gilled, that he roust indeed be
a bold matt wi, will not y•eld Af3Sellt Ell O. • —•cdosa.t.c...
is no mean authority, and with this, and a few introductory facts, the
herculean task must he appro.tched.
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 ()THEE{ MONASTERY IN ENGL IND.
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 ric;i aniti are
Mix'd Goth•c, such as artists all allow
Few specimens yet left us can compare.

:tscls-ssic front
EXTENDS TO NEAR THREE HUNDRED FEET

The order of architecture is in the Tudor style, and may be dated
about the time of Henr. 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—tt 1< indeed
THE GREAT LEVIATHAN OF THE WEST.
Its fame has been held in the bffitett veneration from generation to
generation. and it is now avowed to hare no sucee4sfill rival amid
the vast variety of monasteries to he round thriughout the country.
Tire first impression on ip,lioldinz this
ANCIENT AN I) CLASSIC PILE

the writer feels cane never be obliterated from his memory ; his
mind on the intent 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 ape,tacle, but 11 r. Robins cannot
too earnestly invoue all those who poss-ss a sent con,enial 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 stutabie terms the panegyric which would be awarded
to it. However, these preliminary remarks must arrive at a conclu-
irn ; the form preFcribed to the length °fan announcement will not ad-
mit of more. but the writer promises, In his printel particulars, to
co into a hale historical statement that will be acceable, at
least to the learned, and all such as are well versed In ourpt history;
and he is fortunately ena!led, by the ass stance of a very highly
talented lady, to aid the historical account of Dugdale by -elections
of ha' 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 appeird 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 •s. It is
on the bo ders of the three fine counties of Dorset, Devon, and
Aomerset, 15 miles from Taunton, 3 from Chard, about 50 miles
f•-oin Bristol and Bath, and within a deligh ful ride of 5% hours
from London, witch the approachin: railway through Chard will
reduce to about 4 hours, and also bring it within fifty
minutes' ride of Ex. ter. The county in which the Abbey

p'ared will not yield to any other. The re.tder needs not
he r mind d that, in days of yore. the taste of the monks
in the. selection of their lands was never quest! red, 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 TO) OOM) FOR THEIR REFINED TASTE.
This princely property is all freehold of inheritance, surrounded by
lawns and pleasure-grounds, with ,ravelled walks between rows of
umbrageous trees of great size and tateliness, 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 uneulating foliage of its magnificent and
TIME-HONOURED TREES
is perpetually deluding the eye into a belief that it was of almost
bundlers 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 < harms of a spot so rich in nature's beauties. Of the orna-
mental watent 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 tn'- calmer waters spread.
THE RIVER AXE
so renowned by the disciples of 'sank Walton for Its placatory
pleasures and delicious trout, winds, In serpentine beauty, through
the fair demesne.

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 et 11 he asked,
" Wii AT MORE C ,N MORTALS NOW DESIRE?"
The sporting qualities extend to everything a gentleman's heart
can contemplate ; ny 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 nee:l by the foundress of the abbey when she tendered
to the holy fathers her manor of Thorncomh-, in exchange for tile
barren lands of Br:ghtley, 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 Feeler, of Grillage Farm (the principal
estate), tired a horn ewe in 1533. which weighed leg. 41b., and for
sizo and beauty it has never been equalled. The tenantry are very
reepectalite, and without one guinea of arrear ; indeed. the latter
word could not find a place in their vocahulay. The rout is exceed-
ingly low. The demesne extends to nearly
TWELVE HUNDRED ACRe OF RICH
MEADOW PIieTURE, ARABLE, ANI) WOOD LANDS,
1.110.-tPLY TITHE-FREE, AND TAXES MODERATE.
Such is a faithful narrative, that it need not he observed is very un-
common
railway mania), and the little value of -money, the
oat influential orportueity of possoesing an invest-
present is a m
which is pree.rahle to all others—for, as
Meld in land,
It regards the
alteration in the earn-laws it Ive been observed by
Mr. Robin', in another notice of sale, a fact which every day renders
com
spite
moonf ; Indeed'
seeing the abundance of unemployed capital (in
BEEN MORE FRIGHTENED THAN HURT."
.. iv EHAVE ALL
There are RIGIFtS AND PRIVILEGES
MANORIAL
I 1 act of the estate is within
considerablemofore
and the Mine Pa p
that
d is highly respectable ; many Lords
a ring fence. The neighbourhoo
who prefer to domesticate in this
and Nobles are amongst those
miles of the abbey, is the
admired county, county, and within a fee
lendld Seals of Earl ronlett and
joining county of Somerset, are the splendid andmore
el ce r tt
e ati:ti ,' '
White Hart, Rath ; Castle,
Lord Brldport. Markets are everywhere
to discover a fault.
Robins has taxed his twenuity in vain to try
nr.vrlng of tee famed
71- u full deeeriptiou. with pass and 1 -- Lion L3ll, B 16'4
Abbey, are ready and may be bed et the White .‘,411, r . d
Mr. Whitaker, solicitor, 12, Lincoln's Lin-
solicitor, .he ('le-c, Exeter
Mart ; and at Mr. Mr. Salter, solicitor.
abundant ; in fact, Mr.
fields, Loridoll ; Mr. Paul,
Chard ; ;he 'Auction
George Robin's OfilooB, London, at Two Shill-
ings efteb, (this being with the sole view to Out a CAW filla °IP".
Drafte distOrliASlVn Oft)* AM porNeware
Taunton ; Chard Arms Hotel, Char ..