Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-07-09
From the Buffalo Commercial Advert scr
THE LATE WILLIAM BECKFORD.

From the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser.
THE LATE WILLIAM BECKFORD
Among the items of English news, brouqh
by the Caledonia, w&s The announcement of
the death of Mr.. Beckford, author of - ca
Iph Vmhek." The richest gifts of fortune
and talent were lavished upon him in the
most prodgal profnsion, as if to s. ov that
even these, desirable, aud almost enviablc
as many will deem them, are insufficient,
alone to make the posse ssor happy. His
| life, though not eventful. was a strange one
On alta ming his majority, nearly 10 wears
ago, he came into the enjoyment of a CO.
lossal fortune, his yearly income being about
half a million of dollars. His connections
and associates were among the nobles, of
his land. His person was good, and his Ia
Tents, which were of the first or Ter, were
cultivated to the highest degree. IIs taste
was eXquisic he was devoid of ambiie n !;
and as he had almos; unlimited me ans of in
dulglng every fancy that within or caprice
could dictate, life seemed to p omise but
one untroublcd scene of happiness; but VIC
believe few men except those suffering from
actual penury ever experienced less.
The curse of safety was upon him in his
years, and never deserted him to the close
of his long life. In his comparative you'll,
he wrote and published "Caliph Vatich."
1t was written in the purest French, and
gave evidence of powers that, if cultivated
and exercised, might have won for the a,i-
thor place among the most distinguished
writer's of an age renowned for its intellec
tual Achievements. But, like Solomon o
old, MIR. Bcckford seemed to think all wa
vanity, and, apparently disdaining a dis,,nc
ton he had shown he could so easily win
suffered his pen to lie idle for more than
quarter of a century. Some twelve or four
teen years ago he published his journal o
travels in Portugal, Spain, and Italy, made
nearly fifty years before, when the ancien
regime was as yet undisiurbed by the rude
shock of the French revolutions; when noble
priest. and king, felt as if they were no
made OF the sumo clay with the common
people. Mr.. Beckford travelled en- prince
His wealth and arsiocratic associations gave
him the chtrcc to the highest and most ex
elusive circles, and his journal and descrip
tons OF the world rs it was before the influ
ence of revolutionary ideas Ind been felt,
constitute one Of the most striking books OF
travel of our day.
1t was while on this tour he visited Gin
ira, in Portugal, and was 50 much pleased
with It's beauty that he built a magnificent
residence there, to which Byron makes al,i-
sion in Glide HlroI. Tired at last of Iiv-
ing in solitary grandeur in this luxurious re-
tircmcnt, he returned 10 En-. land but the
cgo,isrn and safety which afil cted him Ii |
not permit the cnloymeats of society, an !
he undertook again 10 CRAFTY his taste for
art and sol tary life by the erection of Foat-
bill Abbey. Tbs work was pressed with
all tho zeal that uni milcd means could com
mand. Gangs Of many hundred workmcn
were employed upon it night and day for
months, and AT last the stately pile was com
pleted, miracle Of architectural beatty
The spacious and lovely domain in which il
was placed was enclosed by high and close
wall, forbIdding the impairment intrusion of
eyes aud feet; and here, surrounded by all
the luxnries that ncxhau3liblc wealth, d.
rccted by the most refined and delicate
taste, could command, NJ. Bcckford for
many years again led solit Try, indolont.
and unhappy life.
a
mlttcd to his luxurious rctremcnl aud mn
nv stories we have not now time TO relate,
are told of the adventures of those whose
curiosity induced them TO scale the walls
which shut out the world AT last the gor-
geous migulfccnce of this abode piled
The ga cs were thrown open for inspection,
and the place was Offered for sale. D,s-
criptive volumes were written concerning il
The papers not only of England, but Of En-
rope and America, wed with each other in
their accounts of lis wonders; and thousands
from the rcmo;e parts of Europe, and even
from this country, went to Engllnd to scan
with eiger, curious eye, a place Of which
they I'd heard so much. II was bought,
we believe, for something like Two millions
of dollars, by a Mr. Farquh,r, Scoicbmln,
who bud gone 10 India poor boy and re-
tur ned loaded with wealth and burnt M
liver.
Mr.. Beckford then went TO B1ih, where,
faithful 10 his principles Of secluson, he took
two houses on opposite sides of street,
which he connected by curved arch OF
bridge, like the Rialto over The Grand Ca
nal OF Venice, he occupying one OF the hou-
ses, fitted up in style of gorgeous luxury,
aud his servants the other. Thus he lyed
and died N his sf'h year, unhappy with all
his wealth and talents; for he had no steady.
defined purpose in life, and with all his lux
ury knew not the luxury of doing good
There IS moral in the history of such
man worth knowing.
u Tho rumor that Bishop Onderdonk,
OF Pa, has resigned, is positively contra
dicfedx the lc.,lrIanl Of l-..I1arIaSrna