tant before leaving the dining room to admire a lovely
bit of perspective. It is a line of open doors, exactly opposite each
other (never seen but in large houses), piercing and uniting the three
lower rooms. The effect is vastly increased by a mirror placed in the
lobby leading to the second staircase, which mirror terminated the view.
"L'une perspective bien menagee charmait la vue; ici, la magic de
l'optique la trompoit agreablement. En un mot, le plus curieux des
hommes n'avait rien omis dans ce palais de ce qui pouvait contenter la
curiosite de ceux qui le visitait."

You may imagine I did not forget Mr. Beckford's invitation, nor cease
pestering my friend till he at length fixed a day for accompanying me
again to Lansdown. My curiosity to see the Tower was excited. I longed
to behold that extraordinary structure, but still more to see again the
wonderful individual to whom it belonged.

We proceeded in the first place to the house, and I had an opportunity of
examining the pictures and curiosities in the ante-room. Here are two
cabinets, containing curious china, and small golden vessels. Most of
the china was, I believe, painted at Sevres expressly for Mr. Beckford,
as the ornaments on several pieces indicate, being formed of his arms, so
arranged as to produce a rich and beautiful effect without the slightest
formality. I counted in one cabinet ten vessels of gold, in the other
five: these were small teapots, caddies, cups, saucers, plates. I am
told that they are used occasionally at tea-time.

Over the door is a magnificent drawing of the Abbey, by Turner, taken I
should imagine at a distance of two miles. The appearance of the
building with its lofty tower is grand and imposing. The foreground
seems to have been an old quarry. The great lake glitters in the middle
distance, from the opposite banks of which the ground gradually rises,
and the eminence is crowned by the stately structure. Here are also a
fine interior by Van Ostade from Fonthill, representing a noble picture
gallery; a drawing of the interior of St. Paul's; one by Rubens,
representing Christ and the two disciples at Emmaus; a fine Swaneveldt; a
glorious Weeninx, game and fruit; with a lovely bit by Lance, and many
smaller pictures.

I was informed that Mr. Beckford intended meeting us at the Tower, and
that a servant was in readiness to conduct us thither by the walk through
the grounds. We therefore issued by a private door, a