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"Mr George Robins has the gratification to announce that
it has been his good fortune to be selected to SELL by AUCTION, at the
Mart, in London, on Thursday June 10 & 12, in 1 lot, the renowned and
far-famed PIERCEFIELD ESTATE. The only alloy to the pleasure with which
he is impressed grows out of the knowledge that his powers may be found
inadequate to pourtray in suitable terms the infinite variety of
contending beauties that have long been conceded as the exclusive
inheritance of Piercefield.
There is, however, one solace, which he greets with
no small delight: it is the simple fact that historians have for a
lengthened period given to it such unqualified approbation that the
humble portraiture which is to follow will, at least, be free from any
supposition that Mr Robins has in the smallest degree drawn upon
"fancy's sketch".
If this announcement were intended alone for those who
have seen "this envied place" enough has already been said; but, as
there are multitudes who have not had this good fortune, the attending
observations are especially directed for their more immediate attention;
and first, it may be observed, the mansion is in the centre of a
finely-wooded park; It is substantially erected of stone, and so
ingeniously constructed that the views are in no way interrupted. It
declines irregularly to the bank of the Wye, and from a variety of
situations the confluence of the two great rivers, the Severn and the
Wye, is brought into view. A beautiful lawn falls
precipitately every way into a deep vale. The declivities are
diversified with groves and clumps of trees scattered in pleasing
negligence, and leading to the terrace-walk, through woods and walks
which open beyond it upon those romantic scenes which surround the park,
and are aptly termed "the glory of Piercefield". The
accommodation within this elegant domicile of comfort is in proportion
to all the just expectations of a nobleman's family. An East Indian,
weary of the attendant tolls in accumulating wealth, and with a
constitution necessarily impaired, will find here all the agromens(?)
which the professors learned in the mystery of physic would suggest for
his early restoration to health. The Hot Wells at Bristol (although not
far off) cannot claim superior pretensions. There is
a terrace walk of 3 miles, approximating upon the river, and from this
elysium the views everywhere are beauteous and varied. The white rocks
of Lancaut here lose their rugged form, and harmonize with the scenery
beneath the town and Chepstow castle. From the alcove woods
o'erhanging the steep bank of the Golden Wye the scene appears one of
enchantment rather than reality. The green freshness of all around, the
meandering of the rapid stream below, the opposite ampitheatre of cliffs
and Banegar rocks, with Windcliff in its termination, towering one above
the other, contrasted with the quietude of the luxuriant vale below,
where the meadows, green as emerald, each contend for the prize.
The sublimity here imparted, the never-ending variety, the gigantic
efforts of nature, and the pictorial effects, must be seen to be
adequately felt; and, to add to the variety and interest of the scene,
Peter and the other Apostles are adroitly carved in the rocks, to which
the passing sailor never fails to pay his homage to traversing this
interesting spot along the extended walks and luxuriant plantations the
mind is filled, ever and anon, with wonder and admiration. The hollow
glens below, the fearful precipices, the Giant's Cave, where for many a
long year and wintry night he has presided over this solemn scene, until
an avalanche rudely disturbed the stone from which he used to overawe
his fearful auditory.
Druid's Cave, the cold bath, and grotto, terminating
with the Lover's Leap, extend through a thick mantle of forests: indeed
the scenic beauties that press on the enraptured sight surpass the
possibility of narration without encountering the false notion that too
much has been said. The river murmuring over strong beds of stone,
thickly clothed ravines, where the hawthorns and the hazel mingle with
the dark green holly, and, proudly surmounted by the monarch of the
forest, present to the eye a beautifully varied surface of undulated
foliage; the gracefully waving fern, scattered over the foreground,
impart just such an air of tempered wildness as must gratify the correct
eye of the lover of scenery, without offence to those who are inclined
to look rather for evidences of the superintending hand of care and
cultivation.
After lingering awhile upon the stupendous cliffs
and Windcliff rocks, the littleness of human art, it will be seen, was
never placed in a more humiliating point of view. The castle of Chepstow
(once a noble fortress), as compared with these natural bulwarks, sinks
into absolute nothingness. There is an enormous pile of ruins which seem
to be the remains of a city, while the smaller ones appear to be fainter
traces of the former extent, and strengthen the similitude; it stretches
along the brow which terminates the forest of Dean, and, in an opposite
direction, the venerable ruins of the fames Tintern Abbey add an
interesting feature to the scene.
The view from the mansion is soft, rich, and
beautifully picturable. The rocks not being distinguishable here, all is
quiet and repose. From the upper lawn the cultivated hills and rich
valleys of Monmouthshire, backed by the Mendip hills, are seen with
great interest; but Mr Robins feels that he is exceeding the usual limit
of an advertisement, and therefore reluctantly quits this most imperfect
sketch by adding that the domain exceeds 2000 acres, divided into
convenient farms, from which a large revenue is derived. He may,
however, be permitted to add, that he trusts this fairy land will be
transferred into hands who will think with him that an income of £2,500
a-year is a great auxiliary, but will appreciate infinitely beyond it
the splendid scenery with which it is encompassed.
The whole is freehold. It can only be viewed with
particulars. A drawing and plan will accompany it, for which 2s 6d will
be charged; and to prevent idle curiosity (and with this view alone) no
one can be admitted without. They may be had one month before the sale
at the Beaufort Arms, Chepstow; the Bush, Bristol, the York House, Bath;
Robert Evans, solicitor, Chepstow; and at each of the lodge entrances;
also in London, at the Auction Mart; of Messr Woodroffe and Lewin,
solicitors, Linclon's inn; and at Mr George Robin's offices, London." |
