Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-04-16
MtsreIIaneous.
STRANGE FREAKS OF A MILLIONAIRE.

--
Indian and other property which yielded an in.
come equal to half a million dollars a year. Young
Beckford's mental powers were good, and no pains
we're spared in cultivating them by q refined edu'
cation. Sir William Chambers instructed him in
architecture, while the great Mozart taught him
music. At twenty.one, with the income Of O
prince, and Accommodations in ready money to thu
amount of about a million sterling five million
dollars,) he launched upon the world. The grea
talent of promoting human happiness was placed
within his reach, but he threw the golden oppor
tunity away. Proud and naughty, the youthful
Bedford withdrew from the active business of life
and retiring to Portugal, devoted himself to a lift
Of luxurious ease. The first outlay of his wealth
there was in the erection of a gorgeous palace.
During his residence in Portugal, he visited, un
der royal sanction, some of the wealthy and luxu
rious monasteries of that country. 1t is difficult tt
convey IN idea of the pomp and splendor of thi:
journey, which r0sembled more the cavalcade OIL
an Eastern prince than the tour Of q private indi.
vidual.
Everything" he himself says, "that could be
thought or dreamed of, for our convenience or re-.
taxation, was carried in our train nothing was 10
be left behind but care and SORROW"
lne CeilnB OF my apaTtIuent III the monastery,
he adds, "was gilded and painted, the floor spread
with Persian carpets of the finest texture the
tables decked with superb ewers end basins of cha.
sed silver"
The kitchen in which the dinner was prepared
is thus described
IA stream of water flowed through it, from
which were formed reservoirs containing every
kind Of river fish. On one side were heaped up
loads of game and venison On the other side were
vegetables and fruit in endless variety. Beyond a
long line of stores extended a row Of ovens, and
close to them hillocks of wheaton -four, finer than
snow, blocks Of sugar, jars of the purest oil, and
pastry in various abundance"
The dinner which followed these preparations
was served in q magnificent saloon, covered with
pictures, and lighted up with a profusion of wax
tapers in sconces Of silver. 1.-THE banquet" he
adds, Consisted of rarities and dolicacies of every
season from distant countries" Confectionery and
fruits awaited the party in a room still more stump.
tuous, where vessels Of Goa flligree, containing
the rarest and most fragrant spices were handed
round. Such was Beckford's mode of life during
the journey.
Returning, at the commencement Of the present
century, to his native country, Rockford again
abandoned himself to the selfish enjoyment of his
wealth. Taking a capricous dislike to a splendid
mansion on his estate, which had been erected by
his father at a cost of 81 400, 900, he ordered it to
be pulled down. He resolved that, phoenix like,
there should arise from it's ruins q building which
should surpass in magni6cence all that hitherto
had been known in English art. Fonthill Abbey,
once one Of the wonders of the West of England
was the result Of this determination. Whole gal
leriss of that vast pie were erected, solely for the
purpose of enabling Beckford to emblazon on theiI
windows the crests of the families from whom be
boosted his descent. The wonder of the fabric,
however was q tower of colossal dimensions and
great height, erected somewhat in the manner and
spirit of those who once reared a similar structure
on the plains of Shinar: $50 to, let us build a
tower whose top may reach unto heaven and let
Us make us q name"
To complete the erection of Beckford's tower,
AGO men were employed both night and day
through an entire winter, the torches used by the
nocturnal workmen being visible to the astonished
travellers at miles distant. Beckford's principal
enjoyment was watching the erection Of this struc'
ture, At n~ightfall, be would repair to some ele-
waited part Of his grounds, and there in solitude
would feast his senses, for hours, with the singular
spectacle presented by the dancing of the lights,
and the reflection Of their glare on the surround
ing wood. The building was indeed Beckford's
idol-the object for which he lived. He devoted
the whole Of his energies to make it realize the
most fascinating visions of a vain Imagination
The tower was finally erected, but az might have
been expected, the mortar and cement used had nc
time to set properly, ere q violent gale of wind
l,a, III ~ ia - l. --o. NIL
remarking that he should be glad to witness thf
sublime fall of such q mass of materials, he CAV,
Saorders for the erection of another tower of 27t
feet in height this also fell to the ground in 1885
After the completion of the abbey, Bedford
conduct was still mere extraordinary. A wal
nearly two miles in circumference, surrounded hi
mansion, and within this circle scarcely any visi
tors were allowed to pass. In sullen grandeur, h
dwelt alone. stunning the whole world. Mnjest,
itself was desirous of visiting this wonderful do
main, but was refused admittance. Stranger
would disguise themselves as servants. as peasants
or as ~peddlers. in the hope of catching a glimps,
oft glories. Nor was its interior unworthy o
this curiosity. ALI that art and wealth could give
TO produce effect, was there. "Gold and silvel
vases and cups" says one who saw the place. ar,
SO numerous here that they dazzle the eye; ant
when one looks round at the cabinets, candelabras
and ornaments, which decorate the room, We ma,
almost imagine that we stand in the treasury o
some oriental prince. whose riches consist entirel
in vessels Of gold and silver, enriched with pre-
nioas stones Of every sort, from the ruby to III
diamond" ,a-
Such was Beekford, of Fonthill. With an in
come of more than $lO0.00o per annum, he SCENE
above tho reach of adverse fortune Who woul
have sehtured to style all this ~splendor e~yansseen
as the miragea A sudden depreciation of Yves
India property took place. Some law suits term
mated unfavorably. Embarrassment poured in lik
. food on ,he priasely owner. The gates whic
had refused admittance to q monarch, were sud
3 2 denly thrust opea by q sberif's officer. The mar
: sion erected at SO vast an expense was sold. Th
sg.,x nart of ;ts ,ossv ,r..,r v.r ....n..