GRAPHICAL ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 OF 
 
 ) 
 
 FONTHILL ABBEY. 
 
 BY 
 
 J. P. NEALE. 
 
 WITH AN 
 
 J^sitoricai ©esmption, 
 
 AND 
 
 NOTICES OF WORKS OF ART FORMERLY PRESERVED THERE. 
 
 Price 12s. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY SHERWOOD, JONES, AND CO.; 
 LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, PATERNOSTER-ROW ; 
 AND THOMAS MOULE, DUKE-STREET, GROSVENOR-SQUARE ; AND SOI D 
 BY BRODIE, DOWDING, AND CO., SALISBURY. 
 
 1824. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2014 
 
 https://archive.org/details/graphicalillustrOOneal 
 
<©raplncai fiiustrattons 
 
 OF 
 
 FONTHILL ABBEY, 
 
 THE SEAT 
 
 OF 
 
 JOHN FARQUHAR, ESQ. 
 
 BY 
 
 J. P. NEALE. 
 
 WITH AN 
 
 HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION 
 
 AND 
 
 NOTICES OF WORKS OF ART FORMERLY PRESERVED THERE. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY SHERWOOD, JONES, AND CO. ; 
 LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN, PATERNOSTER- 
 ROW ; AND THOMAS MOULE, DUKE-STREET, GROSVENOR-SQUARE. 
 AND SOLD BY BRODIE, DOWDING, AND CO., SALISBURY. 
 
 1824. 
 
J M'Creery. Priuter, 
 Tooks Court, Clianctiy Lauc. 
 
TO 
 
 JOHN FARQUHAR, ESQ. 
 
 THESE 
 
 VIEWS AND DESCRIPTION 
 
 OF 
 
 jFontinll 86tiep, 
 
 ARE, 
 
 WITH HIS PERMISSION, 
 RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN PRESTON NEALE. 
 
EASTERN TOWERS. 
 
 THE SEAT OF 
 
 . JOHN FARQUHAR, ESQ. 
 
 The ample domain of Fonthill, and its singularly constructed Abbey, 
 towering amidst a galaxy of noble and splendid mansions, had been so 
 closely excluded from the public gaze by its late proprietor, that when 
 the announcement of its intended sale first appeared, in 1822, many 
 thousands of persons immediately flocked with hasty impatience to ex- 
 plore the grounds which had been planted, and the building which had 
 been raised from the foundation by him whose taste was presumed to be 
 corrected by his travels, and refined by an attentive observation of the 
 luxuries of foreign courts. -Mr. Beckford enjoyed this retirement, of his 
 own creation, for fifteen years in much magnificence, accumulating the 
 choicest gems of art to decorate the splendid temple he had raised, al- 
 most for their reception alone. Towards the close of that year, the 
 whole was transferred to Mr. Farquhar ; and in the summer of the year 
 1823, a considerable part of the rarities and precious effects were actu- 
 ally disposed of, by which means, many collections have been enriched 
 by the dispersion of the various articles of virtu, during a sale of forty- 
 one days. 
 
Fonthill Abbey is ninety-six miles from London, about fifteen from 
 Salisbury, and is two miles south-west from the town of Hindon, which 
 lies between Warminster and Shaftesbury. 
 
 The grounds are about seven miles in circumference, partly surrounded 
 by a high stone wall, beyond which are plantations, &c. forming portions 
 of the beautiful scenery so admired in the rides and walks, all arranged 
 with such judgment, that a journey upwards of twenty miles may be made 
 without retracing a step. The total extent of the present possession is 
 nearly nine thousand acres, the original purchase by Mr. Farquhar being 
 about five thousand five hundred, to which he has recently added about 
 three thousand two hundred acres of adjoining property. 
 
 The principal Manor is called Fonthill GifYord, from its having been 
 the property of the baronial family of Gifford, who held it at the time 
 of the general survey by William the Conqueror. 
 
 Sir Robert Mauduit, the eleventh year of king John, purchased the 
 lands of Robert Gifford. John Mauduit, who had summons to Parlia- 
 ment the sixteenth year of the reign of Edward III., left Fonthill and 
 other estates in Wiltshire to his granddaughter Maud. The Lords Molins 
 afterwards possessed this Manor, and from William Lord Molins, whose 
 only daughter and heir, Alianor, married Robert de Hungerford, the pro- 
 perty was transferred to him. Upon the attainder of Robert de Hunger- 
 ford, in 1461, the whole of his estates were granted to John Lord Wen- 
 lock, who was slain at the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, and leaving 
 no issue, the estate again reverted to the Crown. After this event we 
 find Fonthill in possession of the family of Mervyn. 
 
 George Tuchet, eighth Lord Audley, married Lucy, daughter of Sir 
 James Mervyn of Fonthill, and thus acquired the estate. His son Mer- 
 vyn, the ninth Lord Audley, was beheaded in 1031, when the Manor was 
 granted to Sir Francis, afterwards Lord Cottingfon, of whose heirs it 
 was purchased by William Beckford, Esq. Alderman of London : v. ho 
 on the destruction of Old Fonthill House by fire in the year 1755, built 
 one of the finest mansions in the west of England on its site; consisting 
 of a centre with a noble portico, and two wings connected by corridors • 
 the apartments were numerous and splendid, many of the ceilings were 
 painted by Andrew Casali, an Italian, who left this country for Rome 
 about 1706. 
 
 Alderman Beckford died in 1770, leaving an only son, William 
 Beckford, Esq., then a minor, who commenced the present building in 
 1796, under the superintendance of the late James Wyatt, Esq. It was 
 generally understood to be the owner's intention that Fonthill Ahbey 
 should have no rival, and much curious speculation was advanced, as 
 to the nature and extent of the proposed edifice. In the gravest of our 
 periodical works, it was actually stated that the Tower would be so lofty 
 as to command a view of eighty miles every way, and the lantern to be 
 seen by night at a greater distance ! ! Notwithstanding its immense 
 height, it was to be so constructed, that a coach and six might be 
 2 
 
driven with ease and safety from the base to the top and down again ! ! ! 
 Gent. Mag. Sept. 1796. — That it possesses the greatest claims to origi- 
 nality in the design must be admitted, but such hyperboles as are met 
 with in numerous publications respecting the building, are unnecessary, 
 raising the expectation to prodigy, where only singularity will be found, 
 which joined to the excessive costliness of its furniture and effects, form 
 the ground-work of the popular admiration. 
 
 The new edifice was so far advanced in December, 1800, that upon a 
 visit to Fonthill, the company, consisting of Admiral Lord Nelson, Sir 
 William, the celebrated Lady Hamilton, &c. were entertained with a 
 monastic fete within the walls of the Abbey, then called " The Con- 
 vent," which fete appears to have been a species of masquerade. 
 
 In 1807, the late proprietor took up his residence in the Abbey, when 
 the furniture of Fonthill House was sold by Mr. II. Phillips, and shortly 
 after, that Mansion, which had cost Alderman Beckford no less than 
 150,000/. was also sold by auction by Mr. Phillips, and afterwards de- 
 molished, with the exception of one of the wings, which still remains as 
 an ornament to the grounds, under the name of the Pavilion. 
 
 Soon after passing the entrance Gateway of the Old Park, tradition- 
 ally said to have been designed by Tnigo Jones, this remnant of the 
 former mansion appears, with a richly wooded back-ground. Before it 
 spreads a most noble lake, by the side of which the public road is conti- 
 nued for some distance; the banks rise majestically on the opposite side, 
 and are clothed with shrubs and forest trees of immense height, which 
 romantic part of the grounds is known by the name of the Alpine Gar- 
 dens. The little Inn, at present upon the estate, is about to be con- 
 verted to a Farm-house, and the Pavillion will then be fitted up as an 
 elegant Inn, with every necessary accommodation, stabling, &c. After 
 about a mile of undulating ground, and passing the Church of Font- 
 hill Gifford, erected by the late Alderman Beckford, is the Barrier 
 Gate, near a rustic lodge, by which the enclosed grounds are entered; 
 for another mile the carriage-way and greensward path on each side are 
 bounded by a thick plantation of firs, larches, and pines, the spaces be- 
 tween their stems filled by flowering shrubs and wild underwood; at 
 one point only, a view of the adjacent country suddenly breaks, at an 
 opening on the left, near the termination of the road. This road over 
 Hinkley Hill ascends very considerably the whole length, and winds so 
 much that a hundred yards distance cannot be seen at one time. Within 
 a few paces of the summit, the building bursts into view, and the first 
 effect is highly gratifying. Time has already taken off the rawness of 
 the material, and the edifice begins to harmonize with the beautiful 
 scene in which it is placed, where the lavish hand of Nature has been 
 chastened and improved by art. 
 
 The principal entrance is on the west front, and the finest view of the 
 Abbey is probably obtained from the stone gate at the end of the very 
 noble avenue leading to this point. It consists of a smooth lawn, bounded 
 3 
 
by low shrubs, from which rises an irregular plantatiou of firs and larches, 
 continued for about half a mile, the effect of the western avenue when 
 seen from the interior of the Hall or the Saloon is remarkably fine. 
 
 From this Front, which at present opens immediately to the Lawn, a 
 Terrace is about to be formed, extending on the south and eastern 
 sides of the Abbey, and, if ably constructed, will much improve the 
 appearance of the Fabric, and take away that nakedness now so parti- 
 cularly apparent. Amongst other alterations in the grounds about to be 
 adopted, a direct drive is to be formed from the Eastern Front towards 
 the Pavillion, by which means a fine view of the Lake will be obtained. 
 This delightful object is at present wholly excluded from view by the 
 thick plantations with which the Abbey is enclosed on that side. In fur- 
 therance of his intended improvements, Mr. Farquhar has at this time 
 more than a hundred workmen and labourers employed in making vari- 
 ous alterations both in the Mansion and Grounds. 
 
 Plate 1. — THE SOUTH-WEST VIEW OF THE ABBEY. 
 
 So various are the forms of the different portions of this extraordinary 
 building, that it is hardly possible to give any just idea of it from a brief 
 description. Its ground plan is that of a cross ; the greatest length of 
 which is, from north to south, three hundred and twelve feet, and from 
 east to west the building extends two hundred and fifty feet. The South- 
 west View comprises a rich combination of the most interesting fea- 
 tures of this remarkable fabric : the grand Entrance, with the Hall and 
 Octagon, the Western Cloister, the Yellow Drawing-rooms, Nelson's 
 Turret, the East Cloister, and the Tower, in which is the termination of 
 St. Michael's Gallery; while above the smaller turrets, pinnacles, &c. 
 is the Centre Tower. This Tower, rising to the prodigious height of two 
 hundred and seventy-eight feet, is of an octagonal form, terminating in 
 slender pinnacles, the airy lightness of which being completely destroyed 
 by the iron stays that appeared to be employed to secure them, these 
 are about to be removed, and substantial pinnacles of hollow iron are to 
 replace the original. Any condemnation of the separate portions will be 
 quickly succeeded by admiration of the vivid fancy of that genius which 
 conceived the whole of this towering edifice. On the north extends King 
 Edward's Gallery, the Corridor, and Oratory. 
 
 South of the Tower is the wing occupied chiefly by St. Michael s 
 Gallery. An enclosed cloister on the west connects the Hall with build- 
 ings at the end of the south wing, consisting of a buttressed projection, 
 flanked by two octagonal towers of corresponding architecture. Be- 
 tween this cloister and the south wing of the Abbey is the Fountain 
 Court, so named from a jet (Veau in the centre ; above the cloister is a 
 Terrace, fenced by the battlements, and decorated with a profusion of 
 flowers in vases arranged on either side. 
 
 The eastern wing is not yet completed. It is a large and lofty pile of 
 building. At its extremity are the two very beautiful octangular turrets, 
 
 4 
 
erected upon the model of those in the Entrance Gateway to St. Augus- 
 tine's Monastery at Canterbury, which are represented in the vignette 
 to our description : together with the arms of the founder, introduced in 
 the blank space between the towers, though not a part of the edifice. 
 At the end, nearest the central building, are two smaller turrets, termi- 
 nating in pinnacles. On the south side of this wing are three very large 
 pointed windows of great height, the upper compartments ornamented 
 with tracery. 
 
 Plate 2. — THE WESTERN ENTRANCE, HALL, &C. 
 
 The great western doorway, thirty-one feet in height, is surmounted 
 by a rich moulding ornamented with crockets, and a highly wrought 
 flnial, above which is a small window, and on the apex of the gable a 
 niche, containing a statue of St. Anthony of Padua, terminated by a cross 
 fleury. Small buttresses at the angles end in ornamented pinnacles. 
 
 The Hall, one of the very best portions of the Abbey, is sixty-eight feet 
 long by twenty-eight wide, and is seventy-eight feet high. It partakes 
 in its decorations of the character of the halls in the castellated man- 
 sions of the reign of Henry VIII., the scene of splendid hospitality ; 
 but its principal utility is like the hall of modern times, merely to give 
 effect to a noble flight of stairs leading to the grand central Saloon, in 
 the octagonal Tower. 
 
 The beautiful effect of this grand entrance is shewn in our second 
 Plate. The exterior Doors are of oak, and notwithstanding their im- 
 mense height and weight, are suspended upon hinges of such remarka- 
 ble manufacture as to open by a slight pressure. Over the doors is a Gal- 
 lery for Music, above which is a small pointed window, with figures of 
 the Virgin and Child, in stained glass. There are also three large win- 
 dows on the right, filled with rich mosaic ornaments, arms of King Ed- 
 ward III., John of Ghent, Scotland, &c. Within a highly ornamented 
 and deep recess on the centre of the opposite side, formerly stood a mar- 
 ble statue of the Right Honourable William Beckford, in his robes, as 
 Lord Mayor of London, sculptured by S. F. Moore, a native of Hanover. 
 The roof of the Hall, of open timber work, is very handsome and ap- 
 propriate. On the frieze, at the height of seventy feet, were blazoned 
 seventy-six armorial escutcheons, being all the quarterings that accrued 
 to the Beckford family by the marriage of heiresses; viz. Bathshua, 
 sister and coheir of Nathaniel Hering, Esq., the wife of Peter Beck- 
 ford, Esq., of Jamaica, and Mar ia, the daughter and co-heir of the Ho- 
 norable George Hamilton, the wife of Alderman Beckford. The arms 
 were arranged in the following order : 1, Beckford; 2, Hering; 3, Ha- 
 milton and Arran ; 4, Hamilton; 5, Leslie ; 6, Muir ; 7, Abernethy; 
 8, Ross; 9, Comyn ; 10, Quincy ; 11, Bellomont; 12, Mellent; 13, 
 Gwadyr; 14, Fitz Osbert; 15, Yvery ; 16, Grantmesnil ; 17, Gal- 
 loway ; 18, Morville ; 19, David, E. of Huntingdon ; 20, Scotland ; 
 21, Edward the Confessor; 22, Waltheof; 23, Aldred; 24, Kevelioc ; 
 5 
 
25, Gernons; 26, Meschines; 27, Lupus; 28, Algar; 29, Caithness; 
 30, Douglas of Dalkeith ; 31, Douglas, ancient; 32, Craufurd ; 33, 
 Douglas, with augmentation ; 34, Reading ; 35, Coward ; 3G, Hall ; 37, 
 Besill; 33, Beckford: all on separate shields; which series was repeated 
 on the opposite side. The Heraldic decorations that were lately display- 
 ed in the various apartments of the Abbey, almost all bore a reference 
 to the alliance with a branch of the noble family of Hamilton. The an- 
 cient arms of Beckford, Azure, a chevron between three martlets or, have 
 undergone various changes, the first difference, to use an heraldic term, 
 was by a grant, it is said, to William Beckford, Esq., in 1685, who bore 
 party per pale gules and azure, on a chevron argent, between three mart- 
 lets or, an eagle displayed sable. This was again augmented, in 1791, by 
 a grant of a bordure or, charged with a tressure flory gules. The well- 
 known crest of Hamilton, differenced by a shield pendant from a branch 
 of the tree, and charged with gules, a cross flory or, was assigned to Mr. 
 Beckford in 1798; and the last armorial grant bears date 20th March, 
 1810, of an augmentation to the bordure first assigned, being a double in 
 lieu of a single tressure. The crest of Beckford is a Heron's head erased or, 
 gorged with a collar flory gides, in the beah a flsh argent, one of those 
 punning allusions to the Name, so frequently found in heraldic bear- 
 ings, viz. Bee Fort. The motto, De Dieu Tout, is that of the Mervyn 
 family. Alderman Beckford constantly used Libertas et Natale Solum. 
 These ornamental decorations are now partly, and will be soon totally 
 effaced. 
 
 The grand Staircase conducts from the Hall to the floor of the Sa- 
 loon, in the octagonal Tower, through an arch so lofty as to be in height 
 nearly six times its width, while the highest arches which form the groins 
 of the vaulting of the nave of AVestminster Abbey, are not so high in 
 proportion by one-third. From this central apartment four vestibules 
 of the same extravagant altitude lead to the several wings of the build- 
 ing; between these, in deep recesses, fifty feet high, are large windows, 
 copied from others in the royal monastery of Batalha, in Portugal; from 
 the sills depend scarlet curtains, over which the glowing tints of the 
 stained glass are admitted to give full effect to this most splendid cham- 
 ber. Above the lofty pointed arches is a Gallery running round the 
 whole Tower; and from slender pillars, between the arches, springs the 
 groined roof, supporting a lantern, lighted by painted windows on every 
 side, and finished by a ceiling, which is elevated one hundred and twenty 
 feet from the floor. 
 
 Plate 3. — THE EAST ORIEL OF ST. MICHAEL'S GALLERY, WITH THE 
 POSTERN TOWER, &C. 
 For the convenience of admission during the view at the late sale, the 
 visitors were required to enter the Abbey by the Eastern Postern Tower. 
 From thence through a small passage opening to the Oak Dining-par- 
 lour, and passing the Oak Library, the Grand Saloon was approached. 
 6 
 
This Postern Tower, together with the South-east Tower, and the East 
 Oriel of St. Michael's Gallery between them, are shewn in our plate. 
 Both the Towers are buttressed, and, like the rest of the building, are 
 surmounted by battlements. The workmanship of the architectural de- 
 corations in every part of the Abbey is very much admired for its neat- 
 ness of execution. 
 
 On the left of the western Vestibule of the Saloon is a Lobby, leading to 
 the Staircase of the Tower, by which is an ascent to the Gallery, round 
 the upper part, communicating with four small apartments, called the 
 Nunneries, from their similarity of situation to the Nuns' Choir, over the 
 space occupied by the public, in the service of the church, in ancient 
 cathedrals. 
 
 Another ascent conducts to an open platform, from whence, through 
 the interior of the Tower, and the Gazebo, or Star-chamber, stairs lead 
 to the Gallery above, the highest point to which there is any regular as- 
 cent. Here is obtained a most glorious view of the extensive domain, 
 and its numerous attractions, together with a fine and diversified pros- 
 pect of the surrounding scenery to a very considerable distance. This 
 Tower has its base upon an eminence above the level of Salisbury Spire, 
 towards which, on the east, is a fertile and well wooded valley ; the town 
 of Wilton and various mansions in the vicinity. On the south is War- 
 dour Castle, the seat of Lord Arundell, described at length in the First 
 Series of Views of Gentlemen's Seats. A long tract of open Downs, 
 the Knoll of Donhead, East and West Knoyle, with the town of Mere, 
 beyond which the woods of Stour-head, the classical residence of Sir 
 Richard Colt Hoare, and Alfred's 'l ower, then the wooded grounds of 
 Longleat, the Seat of the Marquess of .Bath ; near Fonthill is the town 
 of Hindon, and on the north, Downs. Descending the Tower to the 
 grand Saloon, where 
 
 " from the painted window's long array." 
 
 A mellowed light is shed, as not of day.'' 
 
 The attention is next attracted to Edward the Third's Gallery, the 
 first of a long suite of splendid apartments, on the north side of the 
 octagon, and is so named from the frieze and its seven windows being 
 adorned with the arms of that monarch, and of seventy-seven Knights 
 Companions of the Order of the Garter. Over the handsome chimney- 
 piece is a full-length Portrait of the Founder of the Order of the Garter, 
 copied from the ancient picture in the Chapter-room of St. George's Cha- 
 pel at Windsor. Over this, and in the opposite window, are the Royal 
 Arms, within the Garter. 
 
 The arms of the several Knights are continued along the frieze, in qua- 
 trefoil compartments, and have a most brilliant effect; those of the ear- 
 liest date are arranged in due order of precedency nearest the centre 
 shield: viz. 1. Henry, D. of Lancaster; 2. Thomas Beauchamp, E. of 
 Warwick ; 3. Ralph, L. of Stafford ; 4. Roger Mortimer, E. of March ; 
 7 
 
5. Bartholomew, Lord Burghersh ; 6. John, Lord Mohun ; 7. Hugh 
 Courtenay, E. of Devon ; 8. Thomas Holland, E. of Kent; 9. Sir Miles 
 Stapleton ; 10. James, Lord Audley; 11. Lionel of Antwerp, D. of Cla- 
 rence; 12. Edmund of Langley, D. of York; 13. Humphrey Bohun, E. 
 of Hereford; 14. William Bohun, E. of Northampton; 15. Richard 
 Fitzalan, E. of Arundel ; 16. Robert Ufford, E. of Suffolk; 17. Edward, 
 Lord Spencer; 18. Reginald, Lord Cobham ; 19. John, Lord Nevil; 
 20. Thomas of Woodstock, D. of Gloucester; 21. John Holland, D. of 
 Exeter ; 22. Thomas Mowbray, D. of Norfolk ; 23. William, Lord Wil- 
 loughby; 24. Sir Philip de la Vache ; 25. Sir John Devereux; 26. John 
 Beaufort, M. of Dorset ; 27. Ralph Nevil, E. of Westmoreland ; 28. 
 William, Lord Ross ; 29. John, Lord Lovell ; 30. Edward, LordCherle- 
 ton ; 31. Richard Vere, E. of Oxford ; 32. William Phelip, Lord Bar- 
 dolph ; 33. Richard Beauchamp, E. of Warwick ; 34. Thomas Monta- 
 cute, E. of Salisbury; 35. Henry, Lord Fitzhugh ; 36. John, Lord Clif- 
 ford; 37. Walter, Lord Hungerford ; 38. Humphrey, E. of Stafford; 
 39. Richard, D. of York; 40. Edmund Beaufort, D. of Somerset; 41. 
 Sir John Grey ; 42. John, Viscount Beaumont ; 43. Thomas, Lord Hoo; 
 44. Richard Widvile, E. Rivers; 45. John Sutton, Lord Dudley; 46. 
 John Bourchier, Lord Berners ; 47. William Herbert, E. of Pembroke ; 
 48. William, Lord Hastings; 49. John Howard, D. of Norfolk; 50. 
 Henry Percy, E. of Northumberland ; 51. Thomas Howard, D. of Nor- 
 folk ; 52. George Talbot, E. of Shrewsbury ; 53. George Stanley, Lord 
 Strange; 54. Henry Percy, E. of Northumberland; 55. Charles Somer- 
 set, E. of Worcester ; 56. Gerald Fitz Gerald, E. ofKildare; 57. Tho- 
 mas West, Lord De la Warr; 58. Charles Brandon, D. of Suffolk; 59. 
 Thomas Lord Dacres, of Gillesland ; 60. Thomas Bullen, E. of Wilt- 
 shire and Ormonde ; 61. Robert Radclyffe, E. of Sussex ; 62. John 
 Vere, E. of Oxford; 63. Henry Clifford, E. of Cumberland ; 64. Edward 
 Seymour, D. of Somerset; 65. Henry Carey, LordHunsdon; 66. Wil- 
 liam Cecil, Lord Burghley ; 67. Arthur, Lord Grey de Wilton ; 68. Wil- 
 liam Stanley, E. of Derby; 69. James, M. of Hamilton; 70. James, D. 
 of Hamilton ; 71. William, D. of Hamilton. In the windows, and oppo- 
 site their respective portraits, are the arms of the following illustrious 
 Knights : 72. King Edward IV. ; 73. King Henry VII. ; 74. Alphon- 
 sus V., King of Sicily and Arragon ; 75. John of Ghent, D. of Lancas- 
 ter; 76. John de Montfort, E. of Richmond; 77. Anne de Montmorency: 
 — all such distinguished coats, that the admirers of heraldry will in- 
 stantly recognize them. 
 
 In this, and every apartment of the Mansion, was deposited a vast as- 
 semblage of articles of taste and magnificence, deriving an enchanting 
 effect from the building in which they were contained, and were worthy 
 of the mind which projected and reared the edifice. The collection of 
 pictures comprised the Laughing Boy, by Lionardo da Vinci; the Libyan 
 Sibyl, by Ludovico Caracci ; Job and his Friends, the famous Santa 
 Croee masterpiece of Salvator Rosa ; the Poulterer's Shop, by Gerard 
 8 
 
I 
 
 Dow; the Virgin and Child, by Albert Durer ; Woman and Fish, by 
 Metzu ; the Temptation of St. Anthony, by Teniers ; and several pre- 
 cious gems by Berchem, Mieris, Van Huysum, and other masters. 
 
 The collection of Porcelain consisted of the finest oriental, of the old 
 Seve and other European manufactures, and of the old Japan lacker 
 upon wood, which exhibited the ingenuity and taste of the Japanese in 
 this branch of art; more especially a coffer of Japan, incrusted with ani- 
 mals of gold and silver, and a casket of extreme beauty. 
 
 The sculptured vessels of topaz, sardonyx, agate, and crystal, were 
 numerous ; one was presumed to be from the tool of an Asiatic Greek 
 artist of the times of classic antiquity ; others were sculptured by Ben- 
 venuto Cellini, or mounted with his exquisite jewellery and chasings. 
 Specimens of ivory carvings, by Fiamingo, Magnus Berg, Strous, and 
 other great artists in that line. 
 
 The Armoires contained a display of ancient silver gilt vessels, con- 
 sisting of sideboard dishes, ewers, and salvers, one of which belonged to 
 King Charles I., others were of Moorish and Persian chasing ; a great 
 number of rich and massive silver gilt candlesticks, designed by Moiette 
 and executed by Auguste, of Paris, and by Smith of London. 
 
 The Library was also rich in rare copies of Facetia?, History, and Po- 
 etry, together with a fine collection of Travels, and of curious MSS., 
 many of which were formerly in the possession of Shah Aulum. 
 
 The actual furniture of the various apartments, in the time of the 
 founder, comprised cabinets of buhl and ebony, with the finest Floren- 
 tine mosaic ; of Japan and other costly materials, including one very 
 beautiful, designed by Bernini, and another by Holbein, from the Palace 
 at Whitehall ; also a set of ebony chairs, from Esher Place, which be- 
 longed to Cardinal Wolsey; and a magnificent table of Florentine mosaic, 
 of extraordinary dimensions, of the time of the Medici, the finest in 
 Europe, for size and the disposition of its valuable materials. These 
 were removed after the sale in 1823. 
 
 The taste of the present proprietor leads him to the collection of sta- 
 tuary, in accordance with which he has caused a very fine cast of the 
 celebrated group of Laocoon to be placed in the Hall. 
 
 To resume our account of King Edward's Gallery — in the recesses 
 on the eastern side are book-cases, and opposite to them are seven 
 painted windows. The ceiling is flat, but is divided into numerous 
 compartments, by mouldings heightened with gold, and ornamented with 
 the cross fleury. This beautiful Room is sixty-eight feet long, seven- 
 teen wide, and nearly eighteen feet high. 
 
 A continuation of this Gallery is called the Corridor : the ceiling here 
 is arched, and groined with gilded ribs, and the sides panelled in cor- 
 responding compartments. Three perforated and latticed doors com- 
 municate with recesses on each side. At the end of it is the superbly 
 rich Sanctuary. 
 
 9 
 
Plate 4. — THE SANCTUARY AND ORATORY. 
 
 The Sanctuary is small in its dimensions, being only fourteen ftet 
 wide, and thirteen in length, but is to be considered as only a portion 
 of the suite, which may be detached at pleasure by means of the admi- 
 rably contrived folding doors of communication. The ceiling of this 
 beautiful Apartment is of oak, with its mouldings and ornaments height- 
 ened by gilding, and differing from that of the Corridor in its pendants 
 terminating in carved bosses. The windows, one on each side, have 
 bold mullions, and are filled with stained glass, diffusing an air of soft 
 solemnity, increased by means of the borrowed light, which only is ad- 
 mitted, the exterior wall being double, with apertures, not opposite the 
 inner window, but on either side. The walls are hung with crimson da- 
 mask, and the gilded chests, under the windows, are ornamented with 
 fleur de lis and thistles. The whole is admirably arranged and contrived 
 as an introduction to the splendour of the oratory, the dimensions of 
 which are nearly the same as the last-named Apartment. It occupies 
 five sides of an octagon, at the angles of which are gilded pillars, from 
 whence spring the ribs of the ceiling, having a circular compartment in 
 the centre; suspended from this is a richly chased gilded lamp; two 
 small lancet windows are filled with stained glass, and give a most 
 beautiful glow to its decorations. Opposite the entrance of this Room, 
 where formerly stood a cabinet, is now placed a very large mirror, the 
 effect of which is shewn in our engraving, reflecting the lengthened and 
 superb vista to an immeasurable extent, through the Sanctuary, Cor- 
 ridor, Gallery, Saloon, and St. Michael's Gallery, with its southern oriel, 
 rich with gilded groins, warm tints, and profusion of drapery. 
 
 On the east side of the north wing is the Lancaster Turret, entered 
 from the Corridor. The stairs in this Turret lead to a Billiard Room, 
 and to the Lancaster Room over King Edward's Gallery. Around the 
 richly carved frieze of this Chamber are repeated, alternately, the red and 
 white rose united, and the portcullis, heraldic badges of the house of 
 Lancaster. 
 
 An ante-room and small vaulted gallery lead to the Tribune-room, 
 which opens to one of the upper Galleries in the Great Saloon : from 
 whence is obtained a beautiful view of the most attractive parts of the 
 interior of this truly magnificent fabric. Descending a winding staircase, 
 brings the visitor once more to the floor of the Octagon Tower. 
 
 The Eastern Vestibule, or recess, is occupied by a Music Gallery 
 and screen to the Organ Loft, both rich in architectural ornament ; 
 beneath is a portal which opens to the Great Dining-room, hung with 
 crimson ; the lofty ceiling, crossed by square oak beams, with trusses, 
 richly gilded at their extremities. Through this apartment is the Crim- 
 son Drawing-room, which is square and lofty; a large oriel window 
 occupies nearly the whole of one side. A Drawing-room, of similar 
 character, but larger in its dimensions and richer in point of architectural 
 decoration, is hung with blue satin damask. Becket's Passage is so 
 10 
 
. iravratv J. P He ale. 
 
 FOITHILL A: 
 
 .' ■ THE ORATOR.Y. 
 
 •ib FrWSti ty J.TNe;, 
 
 tSlackfriarsStsa&i 
 
 Ee graved- bv WDeel>le 
 
 h ■;-J .IT. '7ts.i, Rile 77/ ,-.y lei lu 1 c 
 
called from a lofty window of stained glass at the end, representing a 
 figure of that Saint: it leads to the Octagon Cabinet in one of the 
 Turrets at the extremity of the East Wing, and through the northern 
 passage to the Crimson Breakfast-parlour. The Porcelain-room opens 
 to the Vestibule of the Great Saloon. The basement of the Eastern 
 Wing is occupied by the Kitchen. This Wing, which has never yet 
 been completed, is intended by Mr. Earquhar for the residence of the 
 family, and with that view is about to be finished with suitable ac- 
 commodation, for which there is ample space. Every feeling was sa- 
 crificed by its late proprietor to architectural effect, in which he un- 
 doubtedly succeeded to a certain degree, giving the world an example 
 never likely to be followed in all its component parts ; but, as in the 
 palaces of Italy, where so much splendour is to be found, domestic 
 comfort was reduced to a very contracted space, and every thing but 
 convenience in the household arrangements was to be met with. The 
 intended plans will render Fonthill Abbey desirable in every point, 
 while the improvement in the Grounds will make the access more pleas- 
 ing, and the establishment of a good Inn afford accommodation to its 
 delighted visitors. 
 
 In the South Wing, the principal apartment, one hundred and twelve 
 feet in length, is denominated St. Michael's Gallery. The founder having 
 originally intended to adorn the windows with the armorial bearings of 
 certain Knights of that Order. This Gallery is lighted by five windows 
 on the west side, and an oriel between two rich windows on the east, 
 which latter are over fire-places, and a large bay window at the south 
 end. In the first east window are represented the figures of Venerable 
 Bede and Roger Bacon. The curtains to the window, as indeed all 
 through the house, are hung on straight brass rods, without a baldaquin. 
 In every apartment is too great a profusion of drapery, the removal of 
 which would much chasten the effect. 
 
 The East Oriel, the exterior of which is represented in Plate 2, is rich 
 in stained glass. In the centre are the arms of James II., King of Scot- 
 land, and of his Queen, Mary of Gueldres. On the dexter side are the 
 arms of James I. of Scotland, and of his consort, Joan de Beaufort, 
 daughter of John, Marquess of Dorset, the son of John of Ghent. On 
 the sinister side are the arms of James, Lord Hamilton, and his consort, 
 Mary Stewart, daughter of King James II. of Scotland, by Mary of 
 Gueldres. In the second east window are figures of St. Etheldreda and 
 St. Columba. 
 
 The South Oriel is decorated with small whole length figures of the 
 great Fathers of the Church, St. Jerome, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, 
 and St. Athanasius, in the upper divisions; while from the lower, glazed 
 with large squares of plate glass, a very beautiful prospect of the Ame- 
 rican Grounds, and fine piece of water called Bytham Lake, is obtained. 
 On the banks of Bytham, or as it is sometimes called Bittern Lake, is 
 an engine for supplying the Abbey with water. 
 11 
 
Near the entrance of St. Michael's Gallery, on the west side, is a 
 circular staircase, communicating with a suite of apartments over the 
 Gallery, consisting of a Sittiug-room, Library, Bed-room, and Dres- 
 sing-room. On this side are the Yellow Drawing-rooms, hung with 
 yellow damask, and gilt mouldings; a little Ante-room separates them; 
 and on the ground floor is the Oak Parlour, a noble apartment, fifty feet 
 in length, wainscotted all over, except the panels, which are filled with ta- 
 pestry. The entrance to this Room is by a pair of oak doors from the 
 South Hall or Vestibule, on the left of the east door of entrance, con- 
 cealed from observation by a mirror within the Room. Five windows 
 look into the south cloister, and a large bay or projecting window of three 
 compartments is on the west side; large plates of glass fill the lower 
 parts, while in the smaller divisions, by mullions, are a series of whole 
 length figures in stained glass, representing the twelve English Monarchs, 
 from William the Conqueror to Richard II., and the following interesting 
 characters in English History : Robert, E. of Gloucester ; Sir Hugh 
 Bardolph; John, Lord Montacute ; Sir Hugh Hastings; Robert Fitz 
 Hamon ; Laurence Hastings, E. of Pembroke ; Sir Reginald Bray^ 
 Arthur, Prince of Wales ; Sir Hugh Morville ; Sir William Tracy ; 
 Gilbert de Clare, E. of Gloucester ; Thomas Le Despeucer, E. of Glou- 
 cester ; Sir Brian Stapleton ; Sir John Harsick ; Aubrey de Vere, se- 
 cond E. of Oxford : all executed by Eginton, of Birmingham, after de- 
 signs by W. Hamilton, R. A. 
 
 Plate 5. — DISTANT VIEW OF THE ABBEY FROM THE LAKE. 
 
 In our View of the Abbey from the opposite side of Bytham Lake, 
 the effect of the building as an architectural composition is seen to 
 considerable advantage, and the best idea is obtained of the general 
 character of the scenery ; the small vessel floating on the Lake affords 
 a comparative object by which the romantic grandeur of the wooded 
 foreground may be amply conceived, while the sunny aspect of the dis- 
 tant landscape gives reality to the picture. In the building, Nelson's 
 Turret, the South Cloister, and the Oriel of St. Michael's Gallery, form 
 the fore-ground ; on the left is the Hall, and on the right the lofty eastern 
 Wing and flanking turrets ; over these rises the Tower, the altitude of 
 which has been particularly attended to in the drawing; this character- 
 istic feature of the Abbey, having been so frequently represented in 
 views of the edifice, as much too great, compared with the general ele- 
 vation of the buildings, of which it forms the centre. 
 
 The Grounds of Fonthill Abbey contain many points of interest, af- 
 fording at the same time a very great diversity of scenery, both pictu- 
 resque and ornamental ; as Forest Lawn, the Beacon Hill and Tower, 
 situated about a mile west of the Abbey, the Clerk's Walk, and the 
 Nine-miles Walk; also a fine Terrace, extending five miles from east to 
 west from Knoyle Corner, a lofty eminence, to the village of Fonthill 
 12 
 
I 
 
 t 
 
Bishop, the American Plantation, the Chinese Garden, and within the 
 boundaries is the Church of Fonthill Gifford, a pleasing edifice. 
 
 The main object in laying out the extensive grounds, seems to have 
 been to obtain a requisite degree of seclusion, to be in perfect harmony 
 with the monastic character of the structure. No expense appears to 
 have been spared, and the rarest shrubs will be found contrasted with 
 the larch and pine. The great variety of the ground gave every facility 
 to the production of the most romantic scenes, fine hanging woods, im- 
 pervious to the sun, with openings occasionally on the eminences, com- 
 manding a rich prospect of distant landscape, while they formed a covert 
 for game of every species, which from the little interruption they had 
 experienced, were comparatively tame. The more ornamental part of 
 the grounds exhibit the most pleasing aspect, the result of exquisite 
 taste, which indeed pervades almost every object within the precincts of 
 Fonthill Abbey. 
 
 In our description we have adverted to the splendid assemblage of 
 curious Works of Art accumulated, by its late Proprietor, at Fonthill 
 Abbey, and venture to presume that an exact account of the value of the 
 individual articles, when exposed to public competition at the Sale which 
 commenced Sept. 9, 1823, cannot fail to be acceptable. On the best 
 authority we are enabled to give a List of the Pictures which formed 
 the most distinguished features for merit, and price, in the Collection, as 
 also of some of the most valuable objects amongst the miscellaneous 
 effects. 
 
 a %i$t at the mo£t celebrated $tcture£ ano other ^plentrio effects at 
 
 fonthill abben. 
 
 PICTURES. 
 
 A travelling Waggon, with an escort of Ca- 
 valry crossing a Brook — Phil. Wouvermans. 
 78i. 15s. 
 
 A Landscape, with Ruins and a Reposo of 
 the Holy Family, &c. — Poelembourg. 
 
 611. 4s. 
 
 Le Jardin D'Amour, containing Portraits of 
 the Painter, his Wife, Vandyck, Snyders, 
 &c— Rubens. 141. lis. 
 
 A View of a Dutch Village, a Herdsman 
 driving Cattle, with Portrait of himself on 
 Horseback — Paul Potter. 121. 9s. 
 
 Jesus Christ in the Garden ; his Disciples 
 sleeping, armed Figures, Captives, &c. 
 In the sky is an Angel with a Cup — An- 
 drea Mantegna. 51/. 19s. 6d. 
 
 A Garden Scene, with the Virgin and Child, 
 Infants presenting flowers, &c. — Breughel 
 and Van Balen. 501. 8s. 
 
 A Portrait of the Regent Murray, whole 
 length — Jamieson. 126/. 
 
 An Interior, with an Old Woman domesti- 
 cally engaged — Gerard Dow. 78/. 15s. 
 
 A woody Scene, with Cattle and Figures — 
 Both. 521. 10s. 
 
 The Ruins of an Abbey — Vanderheyden. 
 131. 10s. 
 
 An Exterior, with a Woman cleaning Fish, 
 a Kitten, &c. — Metzu. A beautiful spe- 
 cimen of the master. 183/. 15s. 
 
 The Head of an Angel, a study for the prin- 
 cipal figure in the large picture of Abra- 
 ham entertaining the Angels — Rembrandt. 
 78/. 15s. 
 
 A Landscape, with a Church and Cottage 
 in the distance, Figures, &c. — Hobbima. 
 931. 9s. 
 
 A Portrait of Sir Thomas More ; at his gir- 
 dle is a Medal bearing an Inscription, a 
 Chateau and Garden in the distance — 
 Holbein. 105/. 
 
 The Dropsical Woman — Gerard Dow. 147/. 
 
 Judith with the Head of Holofernes — Carlo 
 Dolci. 105/. 
 
 A Card Party at a Masquerade — Watteau. 
 141. lis. 
 
 The Temptation of St. Anthony — Teniers. 
 195/. 6s. 
 
 Interior of a Church, with many Figures — 
 P. Neefs and Gonzales. 631. 
 
 A Portrait of St. Louis Gonzaga as a Stand- 
 ard Bearer — Brcnzino. 168/. 
 
 13 
 
A Representation of tlie Trinity, in which 
 the Artist has introduced his own Portrait 
 and that of his scholar, Rubens — Otho 
 Venius. 74/. lis. 
 
 The Elements — Breughel and Rothenamer. 
 126/. 
 
 The Descent from the Cross — Rembrandt. 
 1781. 10s. 
 
 The Marriage of St. Catharine — J. Bellini. 
 142/. 16s. 
 
 The Woman taken in Adultery — Mazzolino 
 
 di Ferrara. 122/. 17s. 
 The Wise Men's Offering — Rubens. 84/. 
 A Landscape and Figures — G. Poussin. 
 
 731. 10s. 
 
 The Infant Saviour — Lionardo da Vinci. 105/. 
 
 Job and his Friends — Salvator Rosa. Con- 
 sidered to be one of the finest productions 
 of the Master. 441/. 
 
 The Judgment of Solomon — W. Mieris. 257/. 
 5s. 
 
 The Virgin presenting the Infant, who is 
 standing on a Cradle, to Elizabeth, with 
 the Infant St. John and two Saints — Ga- 
 rofalo. 299/. 5s. 
 
 An Interior, with a Lady receiving a Gen- 
 tleman in the Hall — P. de Hooge. A chef 
 d'ceuvre. 157/. 10s. 
 
 The Virgin, Child, and St. John — Domeni- 
 chino. This picture has been engraved by 
 Vitalli; the copper-plate, with impressions, 
 and original drawing, were sold with it. 
 241/. 10s. 
 
 A Vase of Flowers, on a Marble Table, in a 
 
 Garden Scene. 362/. 5s. 
 La Ferme, a Farm-house with Figures — Te- 
 
 niers, which has been engraved by Le Bas. 
 
 123/. 18s. 
 
 Abraham and Isaac proceeding to the Place 
 
 of Sacrifice on Mount Moriah. A Gallery 
 
 Picture — West. 189/. 
 An Interior, with a Lady feeding her Parrot 
 
 — Fr. Mieris the elder. 320/. 5s. 
 A. Battle betwixt Cavalry and Infantry — 
 
 Wouvermuns. 693Z. 10s. 
 
 This chef d'ceuvre was obtained from the 
 Gallery of the Prince of Orange at the Hague, 
 where it occupied the place of honour. 
 
 The Portrait of a Rabbi— Rembrandt. 241/. 
 10s. 
 
 The Virgin and Child ; the Infant is attempt- 
 ing to run, and the word "Veni" is in- 
 scribed on it — A. Durer. 157/. 10s. 
 
 Joseph relating his Dream to his Father and 
 Brothers— Victor. 139/. 13s. 
 
 The Laughing Boy, a half figure — Lionardo 
 da Vinci. 1,034/. 
 
 This highly famed picture was in the 
 Arundel collection, and was bequeathed to 
 tlie late Sir William Hamilton by Lady Eli- 
 zabeth Germaine. It was purchased at Font- 
 hill by Joseph Hume, Esq. M. P. 
 
 A View on the Thames near Richmond — 
 Wilson. 110/. 5s. 
 
 A Portrait of Himself by Candlelight — 
 Schalken. 123/. 18s. 
 
 The Poulterer's Shop, a Girl is seen bargain- 
 
 14 
 
 ing with an Old Woman for a Hare, other 
 figures, &c— Gerard Dow. 1,333/. 10s. 
 
 This is the well known Choiseul chef d'oeuvre. 
 
 Sibylla Lybica— Lud. Caracci. 378/. 
 
 This picture was of high celebrity at Fer- 
 rara, and held subsequently a place in the 
 collection of Lord Lansdowne. 
 
 The Poultry Market, a Female is seen 
 cheapening a Fowl, with a variety of ac- 
 cessorial objects — Jan Stein. 173/. 5s. 
 
 Embarquement des Vivres, representing a 
 Group of Figures and Cattle, on the shore 
 of the Gulph of Genoa, &cc. — Berghem. 
 834/. 15s. 
 
 St. Jerome at Devotion — P. Veronese. 315/. 
 This picture, together with its companion, 
 the Communion of St. Jerome, now the pro- 
 perty of the British Institution, were for- 
 merly in the Church of the Monastery of St. 
 Benedict at Mantua. 
 
 A Landscape and Figures, known as " The 
 Diamond" — Karel du Jardin. 157/. 10s. 
 
 A Landscape, with a distant Camp, &c. — 
 Cuyp. 388/. 10s. 
 
 An Interior of a Chamber, with a Lady bath • 
 ing her Hands in a Font held by a Page, 
 &c. — Eglon Vanderneer. 430/. 10s. 
 
 The Skittle Players— Tenters. 246/. 15s. 
 
 A Party regaling at a Public House, in the 
 open air — Tenters. 173/. 5s, 
 
 The Adoration of the Magi — Bonifacio Bembi. 
 115/. 10s. 
 
 A Landscape, with a Church, Cottage, and 
 Figures, in the distance — Ruysdaal. 
 
 134/. 8s. 
 
 A Halt of Cavaliers at an Inn Door — Cuyp. 
 123/. 18s. 
 
 Le Manege, an upright Landscape, with 
 Horses exercising — Karel du Jardin, 1654. 
 304/. 10s. 
 
 THE BIJOUTERIE, CABINETS, AND 
 OTHER OBJECTS OF VIRTU. 
 
 An Ivory Tankard and Cover, sculptured 
 with the Battle of the Centaurs, &c. 
 
 18/. 18s. 
 
 An Ebony Cabinet, inlaid with various ma- 
 terials, designed by Bernini. 271. 6s. 
 
 Bacchus and Infant Hercules, an Antique 
 Bronze. 30/. 9s. 
 
 Two Models, from the Borghesi Vases, in 
 Bronze. 36/. 15s. 
 
 Cleopatra, a Sculpture in Statuary, on a 
 Plinth. 32/. lis. 
 
 Six Chairs of solid Ebony, brought from 
 Esher Place. 65/. 2s. 
 
 A Bed Quilt of Brussels point Lace. 105/. 
 
 An Ebony Persian Cabinet, beautifully inlaid. 
 59/. 17s. 
 
 An Ebony Coffer, with Panels of French 
 
 China, &c. 40/. 19s. 
 A Model of the Tomb of Scipio in Rosso An- 
 
 tico. 49/. 7s. 
 A Table of Pietre Commesse, &c„ mounted 
 
 on a Carved Frame of Oak. This superb 
 
piece of Furniture is about 9 ft. long and 
 4 ft. 6 wide, and was formerly in the Bor- 
 ghese Palace, 1,890/. 
 A Cabinet, carved in ancient taste. 
 
 157/. 10s. 
 
 A large Robe Chest of scented wood, carved 
 with the Rose and Thistle, with massive 
 handles and hinges gilt, of the time of 
 King James I. 94/. 10s. 
 
 A circular Slab of Florentine Mosaic, upon 
 an Or Molu Pedestal, with Ebony Plinth. 
 61/. 19s. 
 
 An Ivory Jewel Cabinet, mounted in Silver. 
 48/. 6s. 
 
 A Nautilus Shell, mounted in Silver Gilt, 
 &c. 63/. 
 
 A Cup and Cover of Ivory, sculptured by 
 Magnus Bery, medallist to the Emperor 
 of Germany, with Diana and Nymphs, 
 wild Animals, &c. Hercules forms the 
 Stem. 94/. 10s. 
 
 Two Ivory Vases, carved by Fiamingo, from 
 the Arundel Collection. 294/. 
 
 A Coffer of raised Japan, covered with Repre- 
 sentation of Figures and Landscapes, and 
 with Animals of solid Gold and Silver : the 
 largest specimen known. 131/. 5s. 
 
 The Feast of the Gods, in Tapestry, 20 ft. 
 6 in. by 13 ft. 42/. 
 
 The Tent of Darius, ditto, 19 ft. 6 in. by 13 
 ft. 39/. 7s. 6d. 
 
 A Piece of fine Tapestry, from Teniers' cele- 
 brated Picture of the Fete du Village, 25 
 ft. by 10. 34/. 13s. 
 
 A Rosewood Armoire or Wardrobe, with 
 French Plate Glass Doors. 49/. 7s. 
 
 A Chimney Glass, in an Oak Frame, carved 
 by Gibbons. 114/. 9s. 
 
 Two Pair of ancient Buhl Tripods. 1 18/. 13s. 
 
 A Dinner and Desert Service of rare old 
 Dresden Porcelain, decorated with Views 
 of Sea-ports and Towns of Holland. 
 
 336/. lis. 
 
 Two Silver-gilt Ewers on Tripod Goats' Legs, 
 from a design of Boileau, made by Green 
 and Ward. 123/. 10s. 6d. 
 
 An embossed Dish, formerly belonging to 
 King Charles I. In the centre is the Rose 
 and Crown, and in six compartments round 
 it, are the Labours of Hercules, with a 
 Border of Military Trophies, &c. 126/. 
 
 Two Ewers, Silver-gilt, designed by Moielte. 
 198/. 12s. 6d. 
 
 A handled Tazza by the same Artist. 
 
 115/. 10s. 
 
 Another by Ditto. 121/. 19s. 6d. 
 
 A Pair of Silver-gilt Sconces, with the Royal 
 
 Devices of King William and Queen Mary. 
 
 40/. 
 
 A Pair of Amaranth Wood Tripods or Tor- 
 cheres, panelled with Seve Pircelain, and 
 mounted in Or Molu. 82/. 19s. 
 
 The Laocoon, a Bronze Group, on a fine 
 Slab of Egyptian Grun Granite. 97/. 13s. 
 
 A triple Jewel Cabinet of Amber, carved 
 with legendary subjects, made for the 
 Prin?ess ofBavaria, in 1665. 115/. 10s. 
 
 A Cabinet designed by Holbein, composed of 
 pear-tree and other woods. The whole is 
 
 supported on a sculptured Arcade with he- 
 raldic devices. 153/. 6s. 
 An Ebony Cabinet, enclosed by doors, sculp- 
 tured in bas relief, representing the heroic 
 examples of Mutius Scaevola and Quin- 
 tius Curtius, on the frieze are Bacchanalian 
 subjects. 572/. 2s. 
 A Gold Box, adorned with Miniatures of the 
 Emperor Napoleon, Marie Louise, and 
 their Son. The two last ingeniously se- 
 creted. 60/. 18s. 
 A Lady's Ebony Secretaire, panelled with 
 specimens of Florentine Mosaic in high 
 relief. 105/. 
 An Ebony Commode, with Mosaic panels, 
 and ornamented with Or Molu. 157./. 10s. 
 A Saloon Table, formed of a Circular Slab 
 of the very rare Brechia Universelle, 4 ft. 
 8 in diameter, an extraordinary size ; the 
 Slab was brought from Egypt by Bona- 
 parte, and presented to the Empress Jo- 
 sephine. It was purchased at the sale at 
 Rlalmaison in 1816. 262/. 10s. 
 Two Consoles of Ebony, with carved doors 
 
 and Slabs of Black Marble. 147/. 
 A Ebony Coffer, panelled with Florentine 
 Mosaic, with Or Molu feet, and orna- 
 ments exquisitely chased, 139/. 13s. 
 A red Tortoiseshell and Buhl Armoire, exe- 
 cuted expressly for Louis XV. 236/. 5s. 
 A Japan Commode surmounted by a dove- 
 coloured Marble Slab. 137/. lis. 
 A pair of Medici urns of Royal Sevre porce- 
 lain, mounted in Or Molu. 81/. 18s. 
 A Jewel Cabinet of ebony, &c. the Niches 
 in the Architectural facade filled with 
 groups modelled from those of a public 
 fountain at Paris, constructed by Bouchar- 
 dmi. 156/. 9s. 
 A Silver-gilt Casket, panelled with thirty-six 
 specimens of Oriental and Moss Agates, 
 Jaspers, Blood Stones, &c. 137/. lis. 
 A costly Armoire, with a central panel of 
 Florentine Mosaic, a Vase of Flowers 
 composed of the rarest Gems, and a 
 tablet of the same above, &e. 252/. 
 Two Buhl Armoires, each 10 ft. high, by 
 5 ft. wide ; they were designed by Le 
 Brun, and came from the collection of the 
 Due D'Aumont. 509/. 5s. 
 Two Ivory Vases, sculptured with a Bac- 
 chanalian Dance from Rubens, and the 
 Triumph of Neptune and Amphitrite, 
 mounted in silver gilt. 171/. 3s. 
 A Saloon Commode, panelled with specimens 
 
 of fine old Japan. 189/. 
 The Marble Statue of Alderman Beckford, 
 by /. F. Moore, which stood in a deep re- 
 cess of the Hall. 105/. 
 A circular Slab of Amalakite, mounted on 
 
 an ebony standard. 70/. 7s. 
 An ebony Cabinet or Secretaire, enriched 
 
 with Florentine Mosaic. 98/. 14s. 
 A Buhl Chandelier for 24 lights, enriched 
 with Masks, Scrolls, and Foliage. 
 
 241/. 10s. 
 
 A Buhl and ebony Console surmounted by a 
 fine Slab of Verd de Mer Marble. 
 
 94/. 10s. 
 
 15 
 
Two Baskets formed of Ears of Wheat, in 
 silver gilt, of the finest workmanship. 
 203/. 16s. 
 
 A magnificent Carpet, from the Aubusson 
 Factory, 24 ft. square, manufactured for 
 the Palace of St. Cloud in 1814, previous 
 to the abdication of Napoleon. 246/. 15s. 
 
 An Ebony and Buhl Console, surmounted 
 by a Marble Slab. 105/. 
 
 A Vase, formed of the largest Hungarian 
 Topaz, and sculptured externally by Ben- 
 venuto Cellini. It is mounted with a 
 Dragon-handle of Gold set with Diamonds, 
 and supported on a Tripod stand set with 
 Diamonds and a variety of precious stones. 
 
 It was originally intended as a marriage 
 present to Catharine Cornaro. 630/. 
 Two Tazzas, designed by Moiette, ornamented 
 by a border of Arabesque Figures and 
 Cupids, with Mask and Snake handles. 
 483/. 
 
 A pair of Jars of extraordinary size, embel- 
 lished with subjects descriptive of the va- 
 rious processes in the manufacture of 
 Porcelain, which were formerly the pro- 
 perty of a distinguished personage of rank 
 in Portugal. 131/. 5s. 
 
 A Secretaire, inlaid in fanciful designs by 
 Riesner, the lock of superior excellence. 
 179/. lis. 
 
 The sale of the various articles of taste and virtu ^occupied the atten- 
 tion of the public during a great part of the summer of 1823, and was 
 conducted by Mr. H.Phillips of Bond-street, who, it will be seen by the 
 previous description, disposed of the effects at the former mansion in the 
 year 1807. 
 
 16 
 
°I0 -P 3o \