s an
engraving from his drawing," and opening a portfolio he immediately
presented it to my wondering eyes.

Over the fireplace is a magnificent picture by Roberts, representing the
tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella in the Alhambra. What I had always
imagined a small chapel is, I find, really of gigantic proportions, and
looks like a Cathedral in solemn grandeur and softness; the two
sarcophagi are of white marble. The light streams through enormous
painted windows, and at the extremity of the edifice is an altar
surrounded by figures in different attitudes. "I should never have
dreamt, from what Washington Irving says of the chapel of Ferdinand and
Isabella, that it was such a plan as this." "Oh, Washington Irving," he
replied, "is very poor in his descriptions; he does not do justice to
Spain." I wished he had spoken with a little more enthusiasm of a
favourite author, but I imagine that the author of the "Sketch Book" is
scarcely aristocratic enough for Mr. Beckford.

On the right hand of the fireplace is a very large landscape by Lee,
which Mr. Beckford eulogised warmly. "That silvery stream," he observed,
"winding amongst those gentle undulating hills must be intended to
represent Berkshire," or he pronounced it Barkshire. With all due
deference to the taste of the author of "Vathek," and his admiration of
this picture, which he compared to a Wouvermann, it is in my eyes a very
uninteresting scene, though certainly strictly natural. "I don't in
general like Lee's pictures," he said, "but that is an exception." In
the corresponding recess is a fine sea piece by Chambers. On the
opposite side of the room are rows of the most valuable books, which
almost reach the ceiling. I hinted that I was really afraid we were
trespassing on his leisure, as our visit was lengthened out most
prodigiously. "Not at all," he replied, "I am delighted to see you. It
is a pleasure to show these things to those who really appreciate them,
for I assure you that I find very few who do." We now returned through
the apartments. He accompanied us as far as the dining room door, when
he inquired if I had seen the Tower? On my answering in the negative he
said, "Then you must come up again." He shook hands with my friend, and
bowing politely to me was retiring, when stepping back he held out his
hand in the kindest manner, repeating the words "Come up again." We
found we had spent three hours in his company.

We paused an ins