Then there is a magnificent Houdekoeta, the landscape part
painted by Both most inimitably. A beautiful cabinet designed by
Bernini, another with sculptured paintings, in the centre the story of
Adam and Eve. Two more candlesticks from the Alhambra, in shape and
execution similar to those at the house; two gold candlesticks after
designs by Holbein; some curious specimens of china; an Asiatic purple
glass vase, brought by St. Louis from the Holy Land, which contained at
St. Denis some holy fragments; a piece of china, the centre of which is
ornamented in a style totally different from the generality of china, in
eight or ten compartments, and painted in such a manner that the festoon
of leaves fall over and hide the fruit most picturesquely; two ivory
cups, one in alto, the other in basso relievo; the latter the finer and
most charmingly carved; a small group in bronze by John Bologna,
"Dejanira and the Centaur," admirably done. Here are tables of the
rarest marbles, one composed of a block from the Himalaya Mountains. In
one of the windows is a piece of African marble brought to this country
for George IV; also a small bath of Egyptian porphyry. In the lower room
was a vase containing the most lovely flowers, that perfumed the
apartment. In this room, from the judicious introduction of scarlet and
crimson, you have the effect of sunshine. The ceilings are belted; the
interstices painted crimson. It is impossible to give any idea of the
splendour of these two rooms, the finishing touch being cabinet looking
glasses, introduced most judiciously.

We now took leave of Mr. Beckford. His horses were waiting in the
courtyard, with two servants standing respectfully and uncovered at the
door, whilst two more held the horses. The stately and magnificent
tower, the terrace on which we lingered a few moments, whilst this
extraordinary man mounted his horse, all, all conspired to cast a
poetical feeling over the parting moment which I shall never forget. I
was reminded most forcibly of similar scenes in Scott's novels. In
particular the ancient Tower of Tillietudleni was presented to my mind's
eye, and I gazed for a moment on this gifted person with a melancholy
foreboding that it was for the last time, and experienced an elevation of
feeling connected with the scene which it is impossible to describe. Such
moments are worth whole years of everyday existence. We turned our heads
to look once more on a man who must