American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-12-30

wondering spectator meta with there serves but 10
inspire wonder at the gigantic mind, as well as The
Gigantic means which were necessary TO produce
that exhibition which now courts the public view
Oceans we're traversed, and foreign lands put in re-
QUESTION, for any thing which he coveted to emasl-
llish Fonthill. this, numerous instances might
Ibe given. In the outer grounds the water fowl OF
Canada ard of tie Cape Of Good Hope are associa-
ted and in the immediate vicinity oil the Abbey, i'm
mense spaces are covered with srelgn ubs, which
Elsewhere are exhibited but as lonely curlosities In
garden pots, while the very earth and the turf "a
yelue,y messy turf are stated to have been procu
rcd from Ireland and America at an expense oil
I28, o00i
There is hill in the demesne called Stops Bea-
con, from which there is one oil the most interesting
views of the Abbey On that hill there is the IN
finished wall Of a triangular building, measuring
about so yards on each side which, il is said, MIR.
Beckford intended fora Msusoeum, but he chang
ed his mind before the building had reached many
feet from the ground, and there is now In the centre
of the area sepulchre " sacred to the memory OF
some Of his favorite dogsl' The prospect from
this place is exceedingly beautiful and extensive,
commanding some oil the finest points OF the de-
mesne, and if MIR. Beckord were poet, he could
not have chosen more appropriate situation Tor a
monument.
1t is said that while the building OF the Abbey
was in progress, he had temporary house erected
in front OF wha, is called the Hall, to observe the
Operations Of the workmen, who labored all night,
as well as day, and relieved each other at intervals
He took great delight in viewing the effect produ
ced at night by the numerous torches which were
necessarily used, and frequently wandered all night
about the grounds contemplating with delight the
romantic illumination which they threw on the IN
finished building. 1t was his custom frequently to
ride about his grounds accompanied by retinue Of
at least dozen attendants on ponies, for though,
like Amadeus, Duke of Savoy lie courled retire
ment as hermit, yet he introduced all the pomp OF
a Prince
Devoted TO the fine arts, the same magnihcence
and scorn for common calculations, displayed in
building the Abbey, and forming the woods and
waters which surround it, may be His pain
tngs have been often celebrated, that the subject
may seem to be exhausted. We will not at this
moment enlarge Oh the treasures Of this description
which Fonthill contains, and the sale OF which will
be memorable in the history OF painting but one
fact We cannot help stating, as it furnishes charac
teTstic trait Of that perseverance, which, through
nearly half century, labored to complete that col.
lectien which the Proprietor was at last induced 10
offer to the world.
The POuiterer'S Shop, by Gerard Dow, is consid-
cred one the most happy efforts that ever enrich
ed the pencil oil an artist. This matchess perform
ny years ago He desired to pOssessi,, but the then
owner would not part with it. 1t was in VAN thai
Mr.. Becklord offered large sum OF money down !;
and more than that, an annuity to the proprietor
he might be permitted to bring the picture TO Eng
land. The negotiation failed. Twenty years after
wards Mr.. Beckiord again visited France, and was
more fortunate. The events of the Revolution
which caused SO much property to change masters
had placed this admirable picture in the hands oil
those who were not SO memorable as the party had
been from whom it was sought to purchase it before
Mr.. Beckford bought it lor thousand guineas.-.
Thus, perseverance accomplished what es.a wealth
in the first instance, could not command. Thrice
the sum paid for it by Mr. Beckford, we are assur-
ed, has since been offered for it by his present Ma
lestylt is not little singular, that this pic
ture stands magnificent vase Of Ivory, with freze
Of Infants, carved by the celebrated Flamngo, which
formerly belonged TO the celebrated Earl Of Arun-
del, and was left by Lady b. German to the late
Margarine OF Anspach, at whose sale it was purch
ased. The same group Of infants, which decorate
this vase, may be seen beneath the counter, from
which the poultry woman is selling in the picture
The size is the same, and the imitation exact ma
King allowance for the difference between carving
and painting it is impossible not to see the one is
fac smile of the other.
Equal exertion was made in other cases. thought
equal patience might not be necessary to accomplish
the object in view. Mr.. Beckford's mode OF deal
ing is singular. Unlike the generality OF purchas-
ers, he names the price which he thinks ought to
be demanded. He puts liberal value on the arti-
Gle, and this refused, he, in general, would hardly
have 1t on any terms. In one instance he offered
$4,000 for certain paintings which he wished to add
to his collection. The dealer refused this Offer and
demanded 5000 guineas. Mr.. Beckford would not
advance. Subsequently the individual was willing
10 part with them Tor the sum which had been ten
dered, but when he waited on Mr. Beckford to an
nounce this resolution, he sternly told that he
might keep them; for since the price he had put upon
them had been refused, he would not have them al
all.
M DacLCorJ Il;l., >; . ~,