Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-03-25
OLD SERIES.

Torch light Wa. employed; fresh hands of
labOrer. relieved at eyeninsithose who work.
ed by day. In dark nights Of winter, the
distant traveller was startled by tl'e blaze OF
light from Fonibill. which proclaimed n,
once the resources and folly Of the man OF
wealth. Bccklord'. principal enpymen,
was watching the erection of this structure.
At nishtfall he would repair 10 some eleya.
ted spot Of his grounds. and there in .oli.
tude would least his senses Tor hour. with
the singular spectacle presented by the
dancing ol the lights. and the rejecting Of
their glare on the surrounding wood. The
bnildlng was indeed Beckfords idol the
object for which he lived. Ils devoted the
whole Of his energies 90 make II rcalIso tho
most fascinating visions Of u vain imagina-
iiOn.
Alter the completion Of the abbey. Beck.
iord's conduct became sill morp cxtraordi.
nary. A wall. nearly two mile. in circum.
| ference. surrounded his mansion. and with.
in ,hi. circle scarcely any visitors were al.
lowed to pis.. In suIlen grandeur he
dwelt alone. stunning converse with the
world around. Majesty ll.slf was de,irous
OF visiting this wonderful dimain hut wa.
refused adnit,anee. Strangers would dis.
guise thensclve, rs servants. Us PEASANTS.
~ rs pcd!ars. in hopes ofcatching glimpse
Of rs gl1rics. Nor was is interior unwor.
thy Of this curiosity. All that art and
wealth could gSc, To produce effect, were
there. " Gold and silver vases and cups"
a,y. one who saw the place, &" are 50 nu
mefous hers TIA, they dazzle the eye; and
when one looks around At the cabinets, can.
dclabras. and ornaments, which decorate
the ruom. we may almo-, imagine that We
stand IN the treasury OF some oriental
prince. whose riches consIst entirely m YES.
.el, Of gold aud silver, enriched with pre-.
ciou. stones ol every sort, from the ruby to
the diamond"
Sach was Beckford of Fonthill. With
an income Of more than ElOO,OOO per an.
mum. b. sccmrd abpyc the reach Of adverse
fortune. Who would have yeniurei u
have styled all thi, splendlr eyanc.csnt AS
tho miragc? A.uiden deprccation "l West
Indian property took place. Some law
suits terminated unlSJubly, emhrra.,.
mcnts pourd IN like - noOd uL the rriucgly
owner. Ia, gates which had refused AT.
mittlncc u monarch were rudely thrust
open by shcrlas officer. Tho mansion G..
rycied ~ - vast an expense was. aid. Tho
greater part ot It's costly treasure, were
scattered by the hammer ui the auctiunrcr :
and Bccklu.d driven, with the shattered
fragments % lis fortune, to sIsnd -OlI.
tary old age ma Watering place there 1;
morallte On the instability OF wealth tlere
To feel how l,sle pleasure tie retrospect ot
neglected talent. can give, and to point ,h.
oit.,uld moral Of the vanity ol human pnr-
.mt. llo tell, It Is sad unpI,ici 10y any
The tower which he had ervct'd ~ 80 great
+ u cus, tell t. the ground and Funtlnli Alb
bcy was pulled down 10y It, new owner.
thus melted away. Ike Irns,wIrS before
the sun the rxIrNas'nt productions oi the
man Of wealth. lls whole lite had been -
sad miapplicatiuu Of 'he tllcnts committed
10 h,. care, aud in the end he discovered
that be had been cheated by the mirage.