Read Ebook: An Account of the Ladies of Llangollen by Prichard J John

Font size: 10 px 15 px 20 px 25 px 30 px 35 px

Background color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Text color: BlackWhiteGrayLight GrayDark GrayDim Gray

Apply/Save settings

Ebook has 32 lines and 9619 words, and 1 pages

AN ACCOUNT OF THE LADIES OF LLANGOLLEN.

PRICE TWO PENCE

Printed and Published by H. Jones, at the Atmospheric Gas Printing Works, "Advertiser" Office, Llangollen.

LADY ELEANOR CHARLOTTE BUTLER AND MISS SARAH PONSONBY, OF PLAS NEWYDD.

LADY Eleanor Butler and Miss Ponsonby were Irish ladies of rank and beauty, who loved each other with an affection so true that they could never bear the idea of the separation which the marriage of either would necessitate. They, therefore, resolved on lives of celibacy, and, refusing many handsome offers, fled from home. They were, however, overtaken and brought back to their respective relations. Many attempts were made to draw Miss Butler into marriage, but all were in vain. In a short time the ladies eloped again, each having a small sum with her; and it was said that, although Lady Eleanor arrived here in the natural aspect of a maid of 34, Miss Ponsonby accompanied her in the guise of a smart footman, in top boots and buskin breeches. It was about the year 1778 when these errant ladies visited Llangollen. While rambling along this charming locality, their eyes rested on a gentle eminence near the village, and there they resolved to fix their abode. They, accordingly, purchased the estate, built a new cottage on the site of the old one, laid out gardens, pleasure grounds, rural walks and bridges, by which they might enjoy the natural charms of this picturesque retreat. Their mode of life being very singular, and their costume still more so, they soon became noticed by the many travellers who passed through North Wales. The celebrated comedian Charles Mathews thus describes their appearance:--"As they are seated, there is not one point to distinguish them from men; the dresses and powdering of the hair, their well-starched neckcloths, the upper part of their habits made precisely like men's coats, with regular black beaver hats, everything contributing to this semblance. To crown all, they had crop heads, which were rough, bushy, and white as snow."

Miss Seward, the clever and amusing gossip, says of the "ladies," whom she rhapsodizes as "the enchantreses" of Plas Newydd:--

"Her voice, like lovers' watched, is kind and low."

"A face rather long than round, a complexion clear but without bloom, with a countenance which, from its soft melancholy, has a peculiar interest. If her features are not beautiful, they are very sweet and feminine. Though the pensive spirit within permits not her lovely dimples to give mirth to her smile, they increase its sweetness, and, consequently, her power of engaging the affections. We see, through her veil of shading reserve, that all the talents and accomplishments which enrich the mind of Lady Eleanor exist, with equal powers, in this her charming friend."

The celebrated Madame de Genlis, in an entertaining miscellany, under the title of "Souvenirs de Felicie L--," has given the following graphic narrative of "The Fair Recluses of Llangollen:"--

During my residence in England, nothing struck me so much as the delicious cottage of Llangollen, in North Wales. It is not a little extraordinary, that a circumstance, so singular and remarkable, as that connected with this retreat, should hitherto have escaped the notice of all modern travellers. The manner in which I became acquainted with it was this:--During our long stay at Bury, a small company of five or six persons, including ourselves, met every evening from seven till half-past ten o'clock. We diverted ourselves with music and conversation, so that the time passed very agreeably. One night, friendship happened to be the subject of conversation, and I declared that I would with pleasure undertake a long journey to see two persons who had long been united by the bonds of genuine friendship. 'Well, madam,' replied Mr. Stuart , 'go to Llangollen; you will there see a model of perfect friendship, which, will afford you the more delight, as it is exhibited by two females who are yet young and charming in every respect. Would you like to hear the history of Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Ponsonby?'--'It would give me the greatest pleasure.'--'I will relate it to you.' At these words the company drew nearer to Mr. Stuart, we formed a little circle round him, and after recollecting himself a few moments, he thus began his narrative:--

'Lady Eleanor Butler was born in Dublin. She was left an orphan while in her cradle; and possessing an ample fortune, together with an amiable disposition and a beautiful person, her hand was solicited by persons belonging to the first families in Ireland. At an early age she manifested great repugnance to the idea of giving herself a master. This love of independence, which she never dissembled, did no injury to her reputation; her conduct has always been irreproachable, and no female is more highly distinguished for sweetness of temper, modesty, and all the virtues which adorn her sex. In early life a mutual attachment took place between her and Miss Ponsonby, by an accident, which made a deep impression on their imagination. They had no difficulty to persuade themselves that heaven had formed them for each other; that is, that it had designed each of them to devote her existence to the other, so that they might glide together down the stream of life, in the bosom of peace, the most intimate friendship, and delicious independence. This idea their sensibility was destined to realize. Their friendship gradually grew stronger with their years, so that when Miss Ponsonby was seventeen, and Lady Eleanor Butler thirty-four, they mutually engaged never to sacrifice their liberty, or to part from each other. From that moment they formed the design of withdrawing from the world, and of settling for good in some sequestered retreat. Having heard of the charming scenery of Wales, they secretly absconded from their friends for the purpose of fixing upon their future residence. They visited Llangollen, and there, on the summit of a hill, they found a little detached cottage, with the situation of which they were delighted. Here they resolved to form their establishment. Meanwhile the guardians of the young fugitives sent people after them, and they were conveyed back to Dublin. They declared that they would return to their hill as soon as they were free. Accordingly, when Miss Ponsonby was twenty-one, in spite of the entreaties and remonstrances of their relatives and friends, they quitted Ireland for ever, and flew to Llangollen. Miss Ponsonby is not rich, but Lady Eleanor possesses a considerable fortune. She purchased the little hut and the property of the hill, where she built a cottage, very simple in external appearance, but the interior of which displays the greatest elegance. On the top of the hill she has formed about the house a court and flower-garden; a hedge of rosebushes is the only enclosure that surrounds this rural habitation. A convenient carriage-road, the steepness of which has been diminished by art, was carried along the hill. On the aide of the latter some ancient pines of prodigious height were preserved; fruit trees were planted, and a great number of cherry trees in particular, which produce the best and finest cherries in England. The two friends likewise possess a farm for their cattle, with a pretty farm-house and a kitchen-garden close by. In this sequestered abode, these two extraordinary persons, with minds equally cultivated, and accomplishments equally pleasing, have now resided ten years, without ever having been absent from it a single night. Nevertheless, they are not unsociable; they sometimes pay visits to the neighbouring gentry, and receive, with the greatest politeness, travellers on their way to or from Ireland, who are recommended to them by any of their old friends.'

This account strongly excited my curiosity, and produced the same effect on Mademoiselle d'Orleans and my two young companions. We determined the same night to set out immediately for Llangollen, by the circuitous route of Brighton, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight. It was the latter end of July when we arrived at Llangollen. This place has not the rich appearance of the English villages in general, but nothing can equal the cleanliness of the houses, and among the lower classes of any country this is an infallible proof of abundance. Llangollen, surrounded with woods and meadows, clothed with the freshest verdure, is situated at the foot of the hill belonging to the two friends, which there forms a majestic pyramid covered with trees and flowers. We arrived at the cottage, the only object of our journey, an hour before sunset.

The interior of the house is delightful on account of the just proportion and distribution of the apartments, the elegance of the ornaments and furniture, and the admirable view which you enjoy from all the windows; the drawing-room is adorned with charming landscapes, drawn and coloured from nature, by Miss Ponsonby. Lady Eleanor is a great proficient in music; and their solitary habitation is filled with embroidery, by them both, of wonderful execution. Miss Ponsonby, who writes the finest hand I ever saw, has copied a number of select pieces in verse and prose, which she has ornamented with vignettes and arabesques, in the best taste, and which form a most valuable collection. Thus the arts are cultivated there with equal modesty and success, and their productions are admired with a feeling that is not experienced elsewhere; the spectator observes with delight that so much merit is secure in this peaceful retreat from the shafts of satire and envy.

There are several little reminiscences of the Ladies of Penymaes to be gleaned from the few remaining old residents, such as their habit of distributing sixpenny pieces on Sunday mornings on their way to Church, which was always down Butler's Hill and along Church Street to the gate which formerly stood in the same street. Their influence was considered paramount, and very solicitous were the labouring classes and tradespeople for their patronage and countenance. During hay-harvest, the poor women of the village were wont to scrape a few pence for the purpose of buying a quart of beer for the mowers in the ladies' field, for the sake of their certain acknowledgment, and thereby causing a superfluity of drink to run during the ladies' harvest. The poor cottage gardeners of the neighbourhood used to vie with each other in being the first in tendering their earliest and finest vegetables to the ladies. The working tradesmen of the town would leave any work unfinished to attend to the building and other tastes of Miss Ponsonby.

They were deemed all-powerful intercessors with the magistracy and government. Many a mother has stood, twirling her apron, at that dark threshold, whilst recounting her sorrowful tale about her Will or Tom having got into a scrape, and consequent durance, and had her burden lightened by the sympathetic countenance of Lady Eleanor, being at the same time edified by the wholesome advice of Miss Ponsonby. Fancy recalls her lightened step and brightened face, as she turned away with the much-desired promise of their advocacy. Their influence proved sufficient even to save the life of one young man, who had been sentenced to death for forgery. Their qualities were such that their whole lives were spent in performing worthy deeds. Good actions, like sweet herbs, have a retentive perfume. May their memory be long cherished as virtuous exponents of that paternal and sympathetic life of the upper order which knits class to class, and has a strong, refining influence on the poor and lowly.

On June 2nd, 1829, death severed the faithful friendship which had existed for so many years between the eccentric residents at Plas Newydd, by removing from this earthly scene Lady Eleanor Butler, who had attained the advanced age of ninety. On December 9th, 1831, Miss Ponsonby also died. They are both buried in the Churchyard of Llangollen, where a stone monument is erected to their memory. On this record of mortality are inserted the following memorials:--

"Sorrow not as others who have no hope."

SARAH PONSONBY Departed this Life On the 9th December, 1831, Aged 76.

On the same tombstone is also the following inscription, to the memory of a faithful servant, who accompanied "the ladies" from Ireland:--

This Monument is erected by Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, of Plas Newydd, in this Parish.

THE LADIES OF LLANGOLLEN.

PLAS NEWYDD was purchased by General Yorke, C.B., in 1876. He knew the Ladies intimately in his Eton school-boy days, and has saved their cottage from decay, and filled the rooms with antiquities and curiosities, and all persons express delight on leaving the grounds. In 1878-79 the General made an extensive new wing to the back of the house. He spends his summer months at this delightful retreat, and is becoming a general favourite in the town, imitating the old Ladies in his liberality and kindness. He takes great delight in carving, and much of his handi-work may be seen in and about the house. It is very fortunate that the property fell to the hands of the present proprietor, whose constant aim is to improve and keep it in the most perfect repair. May the gallant general be long spared to reside amongst us. He has been happy in the selection of Mr. Joseph Davies and his amiable wife Mrs. Davies to look after the place, who are most careful to keep everything in the house and grounds in proper trim, and most attentive and obliging to visitors, who are admitted daily, on payment of a small fee.

The Llangollen Advertiser, AND NORTH WALES JOURNAL.

This Journal was established in 1860, and has a very influential circulation in Llangollen, and throughout all North Wales. Being conducted entirely on neutral principles, it finds its way into families of all classes. As it is also the only paper printed and published in this district, it offers peculiar advantages to advertisers. Special attention is paid to local intelligence, and general news is carefully arranged.

ON SALE AT H. JONES'S, STATIONER, LLANGOLLEN.

HAND-BOOK TO LLANGOLLEN & CORWEN, with Plan and several Engravings of the Neighbourhood; being a GUIDE FOR THE VISITOR, TOURIST, ANTIQUARIAN, GEOLOGIST, BOTANIST, AND ANGLER.

AN ACCOUNT OF VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY AND DINAS BRAN CASTLE. Price Two Pence Each.

THE GOSPEL OF ST MATTHEW, in English and Welsh, with Notes and References. Price Four Pence.

ENGLISH AND WELSH VOCABULARY. Price Six Pence.

MAPS AND GUIDES FOR WALKS, and a Well-selected Stock of LITHO. AND PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS.

STATIONERY OF ALL KINDS.--A large Assortment of BOOKS.

For additional contact information:

Share on: WhatsApp @Hash Facebook Tweet