New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-06-15
Thc Late William Beckrord.

We find the following very interesting sketch
Of Mr. BGcKFoRD, author of Vatdek,' &c. lnihe
buffalo Commercial tdUeriiscr of Tuesday even
ing. It is the production of polished aud elo-
qIcnt PEN
Among the items Of English news brought By
the Caledonia the announcement OF the death
of Mr. BEcKFoRp, author Of Caiiph Pathek.'-
The richest gifts OF fortune aud talent were lavlshed
upon him in the most pro1ignl proiuson, as 1t IL
SHOW that even these, desirable and almost cnvabIr
us many will deem them, ure insufficient alone 10
make the poSSessor happy. His hr, though not
eventtul, was strange one. On attaining his ma
iurity nearly seventy ago. he came mic the II
loyItent Of colossal fortune, his yearly income be-
ins about halt million Of dollars. His connections
aud associates were among the noblest OF his land.
His person good, aud his talents which were ol
the first order were cultivated 10 tue highest de-
gree. His lHsle was exquisite, lie WAS devoid ui
ambition, and US he had almost unlimited means oi
iudulging every fancy that whim or caprice could
dictate, life seemed Ia promise but one untouched
scene of happiness: but we believe few men tx
eept those suffering from actual PERJURY ever expert
cdced less.
The curse of safety was upon him in HE early
wears and never deserted him 10 the close OF hI>
long life. In his comparative youth he wrote aud
published Cat1ph Iaihek.' Ii was written in tie
pu,esI French and gave evidence OF powers that, II
cultivated and exercised, might have Won for the au-
thor place uIn0ss The the most distinguished VIII
ers OF an age renowned for lis nelle achieve
ments But, ike Solomon of old, MIR. BECKFoRp
seemed 10 think all vanity, and apparently dis
tanning d dis linciiun he had shown he could ca-
slv win, suffered his pen Ia lie idle for more than II
quarter ul u century. Some Twelve or fourteen
Years ago lie published his Journal III travels N
Portugal, Spain and Italy. made nearly fifty years
before when the dncisa regime was us YET undIs
turied by tue rude shock OF tine French Rev oiuon,
when noble priest and king felt il they were moi
i:inde OF the clay with i!e common people
Nr. BscKroRp travelled en- prince. His wealth
aud ari>i0crhic ASSOCIATIONS gave hlm Tie e4!Tee 10
thu ishest and most exclusive circles, and his jour
nal and descriptions ut the world rs IL was before
the influence Of revolutionary ideas had been felt,
constitute ole Of the most striking books o. travel
OF Our day.
Irwas While on this tour he visited Cnra III Pur-
tugal. and much pleased with lis beauty that
he built magnificent residence There 10 which BY
Ron makes aiuSion in Chttde Harold Tired al
last OF living i'll solitary grandeur in this luAuriani
retirement he returned TO ngland but the eeosin
and safety which afflicted him did not permit the
cujuymeniS OF society, and he Undertook again 10
crafty his tass for and solitary life by The cree
ION OF Fonhil Abbey. This work was pressed
with all the zeal that unlimited means could COM
mand. Gangs o.! many hundred worhmen were
employed upon il night and day for months, ana III
last the stately pile was completed, miracle oil ar
chtectur0l beauty. The spacious ana lovely DO
main in which ii placed was enclosed by high
and close wall orbiddns the impairment intrusion
OF ewes and cet-and here, surrounded by all he
luxurics that incXhaustiblc wealth directed By The
most refined and delicate taste, could command, Mr.
BECKFoRD or many years again led Y solitary, in-
doent and unhappy life
None, choice select few, were admitted 10
his luXuriant retirement and many stories, we have
now time 10 relate, told o! The adventures OF
those whose curiosity induced them to scale the
walls which shut out the world. At last the sor-
geous magnifcence OF this abode p0!led. The gates
were thrown open Tor inspection and the place was
offered for sale. Descriptive volumes were written
concerning it, the papers not only OF England but
OF Europe and America, vie with each other III
tneir accounts OF lis wonders, and thousands from
The most remote parts OF Europe, and even from this
country, went TO England TO scan with eager, Gu
r!ous eye, place of which they had heard so much.
IL was bought, we believe, for something like two
millions oil dollars by AIR. FARqvHAR, Scotch
man who had gone 10 India poor boy and returned
loaded with wealth aud burned up liver.
Mr. BEcKFoRD then went 10 Bath, where, faithful
TO ms principle OF secipsioD, he took two houses on
opposite sides OF street, which he connected by b
curved arch bridge like the RaIto over the Grand
Canal OF Venice, he occupying one OF the houses,
fitted up IN style Of gorgeous luxury, and his scr
wants the other. Thus he lived and died III his 'th
year. unhappy with all his wealth aud talents, for
he had no steady defined purpose in life, and with
all his luxury knew no, the luxury OF doing good.
There is moral in the history of such msn tina,
Is worth knowing.
70 The Chicago Journal says there is more
building row going on il that city Than AT any time
before since II emerged from Pruir edom, but hints
that neither Vilrusius, Pnliadio nor lingo Jones
would die Of envy if they could see the style Of
chlteeture that is displayed.