Fonthill Abbey. 445 



at so little expense as Fonthill. The saving by having no gravel 

 walks is very great; and, we are persuaded, the expense of mowing 

 grass and sweeping up leaves might be greatly lessened, by the 

 use of such machines for this purpose as might be dragged by 

 horses. At all events, by letting all the mowing and sweeping up 

 of the leaves, by the year, to one man or party of men, the cost 

 would be nothing to what it generally is on gentlemen's grounds 

 where these operations are performed by labourers of all work 

 by the day. From what we have seen of the rides or drives 

 at Fonthill, Stourhead, Bryanstone House, and Wardour Castle, 

 we are persuaded that there are many situations on dry soils, 

 in which gi'avel walks, not only in pleasure-grounds, but even in 

 kitchen-gardens, might be dispensed with altogether, as in former 

 times. We should then be saved from the harsh lines and sunk 

 ditch-like excavations, bottomed with loose sand or coarse gravel, 

 which now disfigure so many pleasure-grounds ; not from their 

 own nature, but because they are so very seldom properly formed, 

 and kept in complete repair. 



We spent the greater part of two days in looking over this 

 place, even to the cottages and cottage-gardens in the village ; 

 and, having met with some of the old men who had worked on 

 the grounds during the whole of Mr. Beckford's time, we 

 indulged ourselves in asking questions, and procured much 

 curious information respecting the building of the abbey, the 

 mode of life of Mr. Beckford while he resided in it, the falling 

 down of the tower in Mr. Farquhar's time, and the general 

 effect of Mr. Beckford's immense expenditure on the surround- 

 ing population. 



It appears that Mr. Beckford pursued the objects of his 

 wishes, whatever they were, not coolly and considerately like 

 most other men, but with all the enthusiasm of passion. No 

 sooner did he decide upon any point, than he had it carried 

 into immediate execution, whatever might be the cost. After 

 the abbey was commenced, he was so impatient to get it 

 finished, that he kept regular relays of men at work night and 

 day, including Sundays ; supplying them liberally with ale and 

 spirits while they were at work, and when any thing was com- 

 pleted, which gave him particular pleasure, adding an extra 

 51. or \0l. to be spent in drink. The first tower, the height of 

 which from the ground was 400 ft., was built of wood, in order 

 to see its effect : this was then taken down, and the same form 

 put up in wood covered with cement. This fell down, and the 

 the tower was built a third time, on the same foundation, with 

 brick and stone. The foundation of the tower was originally 

 that of a small summer-house, to which Mr. Beckford was 

 making additions when the idea of the abbey occurred to him ; 

 and this idea he was so impatient to realise, that he could not 



K K 3 



