New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-19
THEG1oRIES IND MYSTERIES oFFoNTHILL

From The Gsunsne,'s uaga.tne.
Five hundred wOrkmen were employed for sew
era years upon this gigantic monument OF ostenta-
tlous wealth, the description OF winch reads more
ike that of some palace OF the GEM IRON one of
his Oriena tales than an account OF private gem
tlemans house of the sober Drosac nineteenth CEN
turv. Ii stood upon nearly a much ground as YORK
Minister; il was in the form of a cross, ana II las
been compared to two such buildings as Nestmlr =
stcr Abbey placed ahwart each other, with the IN
termed ate spaces filled up with Offices. Although
WOOD and stone were III abundance upon the spot,
the building cost the enormous sum OF t213, 600
rhe grounds were rs superb as the house. They
were surrounded 10y "A wall twelve feet high and
seven miles III circumference, broken by numerous
gates and lodges. This work was undertaken IN
order that no huntsman or sportsman might invade
his property. Within were Alpine gardens Anerl-
can plantations thickets and dells ImperN ious 10
light, flower parterres, and every device That the
genius OF the gardener could invent.
Although when Nelson's intention to visit Sails
bury in ! 500 first became known Fonihlll was not
nearly completed BecItOrd resolved to give nm Il
grand reception III his rev mansion Every cart
and wagon in the neghb0rhood was pressed into
the service though it brought all agricultural labor
to a standstill. Even the royal works OF ST.
Georges Chapel, Windsor were suspended that 400
men might Ue employed night and day in pushing
forward the building. These men relieved each
OF her by regular watches and during the longest
and darkest winter nights they might nave been
seen Mt work 10y tOrchllght. And on December 10
all was ready for tie reception Of ms lIuStrouS
guest and the friends. including Sir W lllam ana
Lady hamilton, who accompanied him In order to
render the effects be had arranged more imposing
the visit WINS to begin ut night. pom passing
through of the numerous yates. the cOrtege en-
tered upon a pathway bounded on each side by
thickly planted pne-trees, dotted here ana there
with cOlored lamps. The carriages were escorted
bv a troop of soldiers carving Han"eauX, ana &C
companlcd by band playing solemn airs and
marches. Now and again the roll of Inuiied drums
was heard in the distance. and the gloom was sud
denly lit up by the blaze of beacon lights, as the
procession came III view OF some hui rising above
the blaCkness of the tres 80 clrcutOus was the
route that il was thrce-guarterS of an hour before
hay mo wit sir q abbey
ing and ckerng tOrch-llght. and It's own lllunlLed
windows, the stupcndous Gothic pile looIned I'M
pOSinQly through the thick winter darkness.
Allghting from their caIIIH3es, the company entered
tie great gTOned hall, which was lit mp by wax
candles IN silver scOnces, hung win rlch tapestry,
and furnished with ebony chairs anu tables lniald
with IVORY. Between two lines Of soldiers, they sat
down at a table ifty-three feet long to banquet
served in enormous silver dishes the fare how
eyer was plain and substantial such the monks of
old might have RECALLED themselves upon. Sideboards
and tables glittefed with piles OF massive plate
The company consisted of literary men, painters
musicians, cOnnOsscurs, mingled with the grantees
W hen the meal was finished, the visitors were con
Quoted up "A staircase lighted by mysterious hooded
figures bearing wax torches INTO room nung WIN
yellow danasK and decorated with cabinets OF
costly Japan work. On antique bullets were plate
cups vases and ewers of solid gold. They were
ne xt conducted INTO library similarly lifted. and
all in the monastic taste-shrInes, relquarles and
religions Observation-Disclosures by candles IN
magnificent silver candeabra. This loom was
separated by a screen from "A gallery upon entering
which strains of music from some invisible organ
broke forth, suggestive OF the performance OF
Every rart of the building was furnished with
equal magnhcence Here until 1871 the owner
lived in a studiOus and vOuptuOus solitude, only
few favored irieuds-lterary men, artists and diet
tanti-beng admitted to his intimacy. AS "a matter
of course, the most extraordinary stories were
bruited abroad concerning the mysteries OF fonthll
and its recluse, and everybody was eager to pene-
trate the drcdHam. Frequently OF morning there
would be q traytul of letters containing applica,
tions to view the grounds, which, had they been all
complied with. would not have left their owner an
hours privacy day or night. There were people
who would not take refusal, ana who attempted
a fCrcIble intrusion. story IS told OF two young
men who afternoon scaled the wall that sur
rounded the grounds, and, while enjoying their
trespass came suddenly face 20 face with BeckiOrd
himself. Their CONSERVATION may be imagined;
they expecting nothing less than to be handed over
to a constable, or to be hurried of by myrmldons
to some terrible Oubtiete, where they would never
more be heard of by their disconsOate friends.
Their relief was intense when, after conVerslng
with chem very amicaby for time he desired the
pleasure OF their company to dinner. IL need
scarcely be said that they eagerly accepted. The
dinner and wines the most rccArchc descrip-
ton: the hosts conversation was delightfully."- en-
tertainng; and it was nearly midnight when ne
from the table and, shaking their hands, SAID,
" Gentlemen | am delighted TO have had the plea
sure of meeting you but as you found your way III
without nv assistance, you will have TO ina your
way out IN the same manner" ana the next mo-
mcnt they were politely shown out mo the DARK
ness of tho night. without II cew TO guide them
through tho wilderness that stretched away on
every side. Cyrus Rcddng gives a different YER
SION of this story; the beginning IS the same put
the host acts more generously, ana III The end has
his uninvitcd guest for there i only onc conducted
safely without the gates. The auecdOte Is perfectly
Iii consonance with many Others, well au;hentl-
Gated of BecKfor,Ps fondnrss for playing the part
Of Nemesis. One day, after driving his master 10
his destination. the cOachman ventured to take up
his wife, who going 10 pay visit to a friend |
I}eckfOrd, hearing of this, sent him iO0tman to
wait upon her. saying that. as she required car
riage She cOn'd not possibly do without such an
attendant; and for an entire year the couple were
obliged TO submit to this irOnlcal vengeance. All /
his servants however. were strongly attached to !
him and some passed their lifetime In his service.
SOME or BRIDGETATER'S STORIES