The supporters of the bill of rights feel no niceties of composition, nor dexterities of sophistry; their faculties are better proportioned to the bawl of Bellas, or barbarity of Beckford; but they are told, that Junius is on their side, and they are, therefore, sure that Junius is infallible.

* WILLIAM BECKFORD History of the Caliph Vathek

William Beckford, son of the famous Lord Mayor, was born at Fonthill, Wiltshire, England, Sept. 29, 1759, and received his education at first from a private tutor, and then at Geneva.

In 1787 Beckford's romance, the "History of the Caliph Vathek," appeared in its original French, an English translation of the work having been published "anonymously and surreptitiously" in 1784.

Beckford was a great traveller and a great connoisseur and collector both of pictures and of books; and, apart from "Vathek" and some volumes of travels, he is best known for having secluded himself for twenty years in the magnificent residence which he built in Fonthill.

William Beckford (1759-1844): Vathek.

The great "lion" of this district was the famous and extraordinary Fonthill Abbey, an amazing erection in sham Gothic, built by Wyatt, that "infamous dispoiler, misnamed architect" to the order of the eccentric author of VathekWilliam Beckford, heir of a wealthy London merchant who was twice Lord Mayor and died a millionaire.

If this was the fruit of Beckford's brain nothing more need be said.

To the north-west is Beckford's Towerone of the many he built (he is buried under one of them at Bath)from which there is a glorious view of the hills, woods and waters of this fair country side.

W. Beckford, Vathek (1786).

W. Beckford, Vathek (1786).

W. Beckford, Vathek (1784).

BECKFORD, Alderman, account of him, iii. 76, n. 2; Chatterton's gain by his death, iii. 201, n. 3; his English, iii. 76, 201; Lord Mayor, iii. 459; monument in Guildhall, iii. 201.

BURNEY, Mrs., i. 328, 491, n. 3; iv. 208, 360-1. BURNEY, Dr. Charles (jun.), account of Beckford's speech to the King, iii. 201, n. 3; Greek, knowledge of, iv 385; Johnson's funeral, at, iv. 420, n. 2; head on a seal, has, iv.

357, 367; present at a 'public dinner,' ib., n. 3. CHATTERTON, Thomas, money gained by Beckford's death, iii. 201, n. 3; Rowley's Poetry, iii. 50; pretended discovery, ib., n. 1; Johnson's admiration, iii. 51; Goldsmith's belief, ib., n. 2; Walpole's disbelief, ib.; quarrel about it between Goldsmith and Percy, iii. 276, n. 2; 'wild adherence to him,' iv.

264; baronetcies, ii. 354, n. 2; Beattie, interview with, v. 90, n. 1; Beckford's speech, iii. 201, n. 3; birthday, iv.

George, Beckford's Bribery Bill, supports, ii. 339, n. 2; 'could have counted the Manilla ransom,' ii. 135; Johnson's letter to him, i. 376, n. 2. Grenville Act, iv.

SEE BECKFORD, WILLIAM.

SEE Beckford, William.

BECKFORD, WILLIAM.

SEE BECKFORD, WILLIAM.

The list of famous residents includes Quin, the actor, R.B. Sheridan, Beckford, Landor, Sir T. Lawrence, Gainsborough, Bishop Butler (who died at 14 Kingsmead Square), Gen. Wolfe and Archbp.

" Among objects and places of interest in the outskirts of the city that deserve a visit are Sham Castle, an artificial antique on Bathwick Hill; Widcombe Old Church (built by Prior Bird); the chapel of St Mary Magdalen in Holloway (built by Prior Cantlow in 1495); Beckford's Tower on Lansdowne, and Combe Down (where a portion of the Wansdyke may be examined).

On the R. are the highlands of Gloucestershire, with Beckford's Tower indicating the position of Bath on the verge of the picture.

Arthur, King Asser, Bp. Audley, Lord Austen, Jane B Bacon, Roger Bagehot, Walter Barbara, Saint Barlow, Bp. Barnes, Bartholomew Beaufort, Cardinal Beckford, William Beckington, Bp. Bennett, Rev. W.J. Bere, Abbot Berkeley family Berkley, Sir M. Bird, Prior Bisse, George Blake, Robert Blanchard, William Botreaux, Sir W. Bradney, Joel de Bray, Sir R. Brett, John Bridport, Visct.