Tor-Abbey Devon (1825)

Daniell, William. A voyage round Great Britain, undertaken in the summer of the year 1813 and commencing from the Land's-End, Cornwall. London: Longman & Co and W. Daniell, 1825. Vol. VIII. p. 17.TOR ABBEY, the next subject, is another modernized antique, now the residence of the ancient family of Cary. It was founded in the reign of king John, by William, lord Bruyere, who endowed it with considerable revenues for canons of the Praemonstratensian order. It passed into the possession of the family of Mohun, and afterwards into that of the Ridgways, by whom it was held when sir Thomas Ridgway, for his services as treasurer of Ireland, was created earl of Londonderry by James the first. It descended to the family of Carey, in whose possession it has since remained. The mansion, which is founded on the arches of the ancient structure, consists of a centre and two wings, one of which is connected with a castellated gateway, having octagonal towers and battlements. Beyond this gateway is a large ivy-clad building, now used as a barn, and formerly one of the appendages to the abbey. The Roman catholic chapel attached to the mansion is richly decorated. The grounds are adorned with fine trees forming noble avenues; and the walk from Torquay, through the wood, forms a very romantic approach to the abbey. That building is seen in the distance of the present view, which was taken from a terrace above the quay, in the grounds of Miss Southcote. From this and from various other parts of the bay, the prospect on a summer's evening presents some very lovely effects, especially in the direction of Torquay.The property and manor-house of Torr was purchased of the Donegal family by the late sir Laurence Palk, who expended considerable sums on the construction of various public works in this neighbourhood, the utility of which cannot be the less liberally appreciated, because they might partly originate in the fair and honourable intention of improving the value of his own property.These improvements, at once a cause and an effect of the increasing population, are likely to be continued on a more extended scale; for there are few parts of Devonshire which have so strong a claim on the preference of those, who, for the sake of health, or any other consideration, are disposed to seek a constant or a temporary residence on the coast. The shores of the bay exhibit a rare contrast of sylvan with marine scenery; and a very short excursion westward leads to so total a change, that the beholder might fancy himself in one of the midland counties. [Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

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S40. DANIELL William (text by AYTON, Richard): A VOYAGE
ROUND GREAT BRITAIN UNDERTAKEN IN THE SUMMER OF THE YEAR 1813 AND COMMENCING FROM THE LAND'S END, CORNWALL.

Coloured version of SC3203