American Watchman And Delaware Advertiser

Fonthill Abbey.—It appears by the late London papers that this magnificent place, which cost Mr. Beckford a million sterling, has been sold to Mr. Farquhar for 330,000l. Mr. Beckford afterwards deducted 120,000l. for a selection of books. Besides the Abbey and its treasures, there are nearly 5,000 acres of land attached to it, in the highest state of cultivation, Mr. B. having for many years employed about 400 laborers in making improvements. In addition to this expense, he lived at the rate of 80,000l. a year. His losses by defective titles to his West India estates and the expense of several years lawsuits, &c. had reduced him to the necessity of making the present sale. It is said that he quit the premises without a sigh. "I must leave it," said he, "and I am prepared to meet the public surprise. Beckford they will say, has squandered his large fortune. To me it is a matter of perfect indifference."

It is added, that the lazy vermin of the hall, those trappings of his folly, swarmed at Fonthill. Mr. B. never moved without a circle of them in attendance—they formed an appendage of his invincible pride. His liveried retainers stood in numerous succession, watchful sentinels at his door, and at fixed periods anticipated their master's wants. It is also said that for a long time his income was 160,000l. per annum. When dining alone, with Franchi, his secretary, he had never less than twenty dishes of the most costly kind.—[The London papers contain hundreds of other anecdotes respecting this gentleman, which may or may not be true. It is certainly true that he has been rich, that he has spent millions and is now a poor man.]