im to raise this expensive edifice from the foundation, was
derived from his paternal estates in the West Indies. Such
was the wealth which those estates at one time pro-duced,
that it obtained for his grandfather the distinction of
being considered the richest subject in Europe. For the last
ten years they have declined very materially, and several of
them have been entirely lost through a defect that has been
discovered in the title. The original purchaser obtained
these in the way of mort-gage, and having foreclosed them in
an untechnical manner, advantage has been taken of the
informality by the heirs of the mortgagors, and Mr. Beckford
has been dispossessed. The defence of his title, and the
other consequences, involved him in losses and vast
expenses; besides which, the revenue from his unquestionable
estates in those islands has declined to less than one-tenth
of what it formerly was. Mr. Farquhar, the gentleman who is
reported to have purchased Fouthill Abbey, is the principal
partner and proprietor of Whitbread's brew-house, and is
likewise at the head of the first mercantile house in the
City, for the management of all agency concerns, connected
with India."

~~418~~~ "Thousands of people," says Dashall, "who had been flocking to
that neighbourhood, intending to obtain a view of the premises, will, by
this event, be disappointed. Several of my friends have paid a visit to
it, and describe it as a most princely mansion."

"And pray," inquired Sparkle, "what is the cause of its being sold at
all 1 It has always been reported that Mr. Beckford was a man of very
extensive property."

"That appears to be a little mysterious, and report, who is always a
busy fellow on extraordinary occasions, has not been idle: by some it is
stated, that Mr. Beckford suffered great and irreparable losses in his
West India property, and that there are in the Abbey at this moment
executions to the amount of eighty thousand pounds; that the view of the
effects has taken place entirely under the control of the sheriffs: by
others it is asserted that no such embarrassment exists. However, be
that as it may, the public have been highly gratified for some time past
in being permitted to view the estate and the valuable curiosities it
contains; and the produce of the admission tickets, which has probably
netted twenty thousand pounds, goe