The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-19 00:00:00

THE AGAPEIIONE.

Should any of our readers desire to visit this abode of
love—situate at the Four Forks, Spaxton—having, in
their way from Bridgwater, journeyed about five miles,
they will come upon .the site of a group of buildings ;
and, towering above one, looking somewhat like a
chapel, they wig perceive a flag-staff. Having turned an
angle in the road, you will soon find yourself in front of
a low range of cottages, lying to the right of this chapel,
before which are placed some iron rails. Ascending a few
steps to the raised ground in front of them, you will per-
ceive two circular flower-beds, neatly bordered, and sup-
plied with a variety of flowers. Looking at these cot-
tages, you will probably find that the lower room of one
is occupied by a number of laundresses, busily engaged in
preparing the fine linen clean and white for the saints
within. One of the maids will probably ask your business,
when, having inquired if you may be permitted to view
the premises, and giving your name, you will be politely
requested to remain while she goes to inquire. Upon
her return, you may be informed that a gentleman
which
will presently wait upon you to guide youren
osteps aright.
Having thanked her for her kindness, you wait, saunter-
ingindustrious you expect
tohaes t
gentleman,
and
alnegdu
il downaannglance
r inpefrr
perhaps
towardsan
pt
sot
hf;taht
door
nucottaionrg at g
the
s,
wo-
men, and feeling a little curious to know the purport of
a conversation that is passing between one of the prirei
cipats and a fair young girl that you observe in one of
the lower rooms of these cottages, who seems very much
like a pretty bird fluttering around. the net of the fowler.
Your ears having been saluted with some witty remark
seeing a party
aatangegeeesn,reminds let you know
fromwai
ti
no
gn one
for
rr more
entrance, o of th the
eem neighbours,
dilpose who, h
too,
that their opinion is not very high as to the morality of
the inmates, a little door opens to the left of the cot-
tlelemadaningpriensteontts"itsgelrfoubriedf%e aynCt. His appear-
the figure of
you of the shabby genteel_a tall figure,
around which seems to hang a cloud of mystery, and a
treading a path to
Having entered
c thee rt
ga iant
eindescribable
yr
our
sue: vgendi d
oc,o uwrhteosT.
the right, leads you to a conservatory,
where your senses
are delighted with the fragrance and the various hues of
to
to the left, which
plants may be seen,
a number of rare and beautiful flowers. Having feasted
your eyes with these, you are next led to a hot-house,
You
been m
where many
a ssono
,woonst
leavingl
very
andergy nicely a rnaoraby beautiful
uti foreignfl w
apatent machine, and
ascend
palisades, a
mtowahtieorhraycoen,
may
yly have
aview
of the
completed, with
n
hills behind, and the pleasant vale between. From thence
satso
you descend in the middle of the terrace by some steps
leading you by another path towards the stables, a nice
few steps to
range of buildings, where you will be shown some beau-
tiful horses. Your senses are gratified with the varied
objects of a magnificently furnished saloon, instead of,
as you had expected from outside appearances, a neatly-
pawed chapel. Looking around you, you observe a
splendid harp, covered over to keep it from dust ; and if
you examine it you will find it a beautifully-finished ins
i strument, inlaid with gold and pearl. Not far from this

' yon will observe one of Broadwood's very handsome
pianofortes, said to have cost 160 guineas. But that
which demands the greatest admiration in the music de•
partment is a splendid and costly, fine-toned, powerful,
self-aoting organ. Around the sides of this part of the
chapel you observe seats, evidently for the second-cla-s
worshippers. Proceeding towards the upper end of the
chapel you have to ascend a platform, raised about tw
feet from the floor, and commencing about hallway
along the chapel. This you find covered with a variety
of splendid furniture,• as if it were a nobleman's drawing.
room instead of a place of worship, consisting of a cum-
ber of lounges and chairs covered with rich crimson vel
vet or fine plush, sinking under you like a bed of down.
Here you find, in the very holy of holies, a billiard-table,
large and splendid, of considerable value, said to have
been made (at least the frame) of the wood of the Royal
George. Haviniadrnited the vases and varied beauties of
the place, you are asked if you would like to hear a piece
of music played
.on the self-acting organ, to which you
gladly assent ; and being directed by your guide to take
your place at the opposite side of the room to the instru
merit as the best place to hear it to advantage, you sink
in a reclining position On one end of the lounges, full of
expectation. • You tremble for the fair and simple one •ini-
tiated into the mysteries of the Princeite religion under
sneh circumstances. Before they entered the Agapemone
there were certain new revelations about some mysterious
marriages that took place. In all these cases there were
no previous courtships nor intentions to marry known ;
but Mr. Prince said it was the will of God to choose each
lady for each gentleman, and oblige them to marry at once
—the result of which was that Mr. Williams was mar-
ried to Miss Perry, Mr. Thomas to Miss Nottidge, Mr.
Price to Miss H. Nottidge, Mr. Cobb to Miss E.Nottidge,
and Mr. Starkey to Miss E. Perry. At least three of
them are said to have had 10,0001. each, and we have good
reason to believe the others were not penniless. Having
secured these ladies, and some other persons of property,
they then thought they could do without the world, are d
that the world raust•do without them,; and so, shutting
the bowels of their compassion against us wicked unbe-.
lievers in their creed, they declared that the day of grace
was ended ; and having persuaded many that had be
lieved their testimony to enter into community and take
up their abode with them, they asserted that the door ef
mercy was shut. From that time there was no public
preaching. The reading of the Word of God and prayer
were disc• untenanted, the inmates being informed that
their work now was to praise God, instead of to r,r ty.
The setting apart of one day as a day of rest or sacred
Sabbath was disregarded, each day being considered to
be equally holy ; and then they worked on ad days alike.
The outer court worshippers used to go in various ve-
hicles from the surrounding villages to spend their Sab
baths at the Agapemone, where they pass d the time by
working in the gardens and in various household duties,
or in a variety of sports, such as hockey, billiards, &c.
Here, having gathered their tribes, they enjoy all the
luxuries of life--driving about—that is, the upper class,
for it was only those who could add to the funds that
could be permitted to enjoy first class entertainments, the
others becoming the hewers of wood and the drawers of
water, menservants and maidservants. These were per-
mitted, no doubt, to behold with their eyes what they
might notenjoy in their lives ; but, as it isagrest honour to
wait upon the great and the noble, they were permitted to
dwell within this ark, preserved from the contamination
of the wicked world without, and to serve their masters
and mistresses as required. Although they are fed and
neatly clothed, however, and on the whole, we suppose,
areepretty generally well-treated, yet they cannot look to
the hand of their mistresses or masters for wages—for
silver and gold they get none, and, indeed, what can
they want with it F—for the end of the world is near !
The time of the inmates seems to have been generally
employed in reading, working, riding, and walking, and
occasionally their evenings in entertainments, such as
ooncerts, &c.—Somerset Gazette.