The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-10

train-no,hing was 10 be left behind bat
care and SORROW
The ceiling OF my apartment in the
I'd, the floor spread with Persian carpets ci
the finest texture; the tables decked with
superb ewers and basins Of chased silver
The kitchen 10 which the dinner was pre-.
pared is thus described
A stream OF water flowed through it.
from which were formed reservoirs contain.
ing 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 long line OF
stores, extended row Of ovens, and close
to them hillocks of wheaton -four, winter
than snow. blocks OF sugar, aud jars of the
purest oil, and pastry in various abundance. -
The dinner which followed these prepar-
ations was served in magnificent saloon,
covered with pictures and lighted up with u
profusion OF wax tapers in sconces OF silver.
" "1he banquet he adds, " consisted Of rari-
ties and deIicacies Of every season from dis.
tant countries Confectionery and fruits
awaited the party in Il room still more sump.
tuous, where vessels Of Goa tilligree, con-
tanning the purcst and most iragant spices,
were handed round Such was Beck fords
mode of life during this day.
Returning at the commencement Of the
present century, TO his native country, Beck
ford again abandoned himself to the selfish
enjoyment of his wealth. Taking capri
cious dislike to a splendid mansion on his
estate, which had been erected by his father
at cost Of 81 400 600, he ordered il to be
pulled down. He resolved that, phTuix
like, there should arise from its ruins o
building which should surpass in magniii-
cence all that hitherto had been known ia
English art Fonthll Abbey. once one Of
the wonders Of the West of England was
the result of this determination. Whole
galleries Of that vast pile were erected sole.
ly for the purpose Of enabling Beckford to
cmbazon on their windows the cres,s Of the
families from whom he boosted his descent
The wonder Of the fabric, however, was .
tower Of colossal dimensions and great
height, erected somewhat in the manner and
spirit Of those who once reared similar
structure on the plains Of Shinsr Go 10,
iVt uS Duih - tcWtts WHo0 UP iVo1h
unto heaven; and let rs make us Name"
TO complete the erection Of Beckford's
tower, 400 men were employed both night
and day through at entire winter the
torches used by the nocturnal workmen be
ing visible to the astonishcd travellers q,
miles distant. Beckfords principal enjoy
meDt was watching the erection OF this
structure. Al night fall. he would repair
70 some elevated 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 reiiec-
ton OF their glare on the surrounding wood.
The building was indeed Beckfords idol
the object for which he lived. He de.
voted the whole OF bis energies TO make il
realize the most fascinating visions Of u vain
imagination. The tower was finally erected.
but as might have been expected, the mortar
and cement used had 10 time 10 Sst proper.
", ere violent gale Of wind brought the
vast structure 10 the ground Merely re-
marking that he should have been glad to
witness the sublime tall OF such mass OF
materials, be gave orders Tor the erection Of
another tower OF 27G iee, IN height this also
fell 10 the ground in 1885.
After the completion si the abbey, Beck.
ford's conduct was still more extraordinary.
A wall, nearly two miles 10 circumference,
surrounded his mansion, aud within this
/ circle scarcely any visitors were allowed 10
paxs. Ia sullen grandeur he dwelt alone
stunning converse with the whole world
Majesty itseIi were deslrOus Of visiting this
wonderful domais, but was refused admit.
lance. Strangers would disguiss themselves
a. servants, ss peasants, or M peddlers, IN
the hope Of catching q glimpse Of iis glories.
Nor was lis interior unworthy of this Gu
riosity. All that art And wealth could give
10 produce eject, was there. Cod aud sil.
yer VASES and cups, SAYS one who saw the
place, care 40 numerous here that they daz.
ze the eye, and when ore looks round 1T the
cabinets. caDdeisbras, and ornaments, which
decorate the room, We may almost imagine
that We stard 10 the treasury of some orieD.
tai prince, whoo riches consist entirely 10
vessels Of gold and silver, enriched with pre-
cious stones of every sort, from the ruby 10
the diamond
such was Becklofj, Of Fobthill. With
an incomr Of more than 100 900 per an
nun be seemed above the reach Of adysr-s
fortune Who would have ven,ured 10
have styled all this spl,Ddor eysDescent as
the mirage? A suddsn depreciation of
West Iniia property tCok place. Some
Law saiu terminated ghiay9ably. enbsrrass-
nsnis poured IN Ike food Ou tbs prince
ly owDer. The gatz which bad refused sd-
mittance 70 a monarch were widely tbrus,
Oyen by sberiHs ofbosr The mansion
erec'sd At 70 vast an expense, Was sold
The greater part Of its costly treasures were
-cA,ltred by the hammer of the asctionser ,
and B.ckfOrd driven, with the shattered
fragments 4 his for'une. 70 spnd q solitary
Old aye ia q watering piaos-tbsrr TO NOR
alizs ou TIE Instability OF wealth, ti,sre %
tesi how little psa-are ,ts retrospect Of