The "Ladies of Llangollen"

by John Hicklin.

From the early age of Cambrian history, when the peerless beauty of the high-born Myfanwy Fechan awoke the pa.s.sion and the poesy of her admiring bard, Howel ap Einion Llygliw, down to the modern days of the more humble, but not less renowned maiden, "Sweet Jenny Jones;" Llangollen, "that sweetest of vales," seems to have been a.s.sociated with recollections of tender and romantic interest. Our narrative, however, albeit it relates to the Ladies of Llangollen, refers not to whispered vows and moonlight serenades between gallant chiefs and damsels of n.o.ble birth; nor to sentimental tales of love in a cottage; but it is rather devoted to the records of a friendship, whose incidents and eccentricities have engaged the attention of many eminent _literati_ and tourists. Most persons who take any interest in the scenery or topography of North Wales, have either seen or read of that singular residence, Plas Newydd, at Llangollen, for so many years the home of Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Ponsonby.

About the year 1778, these ladies, impelled by a desire to lead a secluded life of celibacy, forsook the gay and fashionable circles in which they had moved; and in their search for a fitting spot, on which to pa.s.s their days together in devoted friendship to each other, and in acts of benevolence and charity to their neighbours, they visited Llangollen.

Rambling along this charming locality one balmy evening, when the tranquil beauty of the lovely valley was lighted up by the mild splendour of the moon, their eyes rested upon a cottage that stood 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, in a remarkably unique and somewhat grotesque style of architecture; and laid out gardens, pleasure grounds, and rural walks with grottoes, temples, conservatories, rustic bridges, and other accessories for enjoying, in the undisturbed quiet of their own domain, the natural charms of their picturesque retreat. Their mode of life being singular, and their costume still more so (for they a.s.sumed a style of head-dress resembling that of men, and always wore long cloth coats, rather like ladies' riding habits), they soon attracted the attention of the many travellers who pa.s.sed through North Wales; and as they kept up an extensive and active correspondence with several eminent authors and persons of distinction, the "Ladies of Llangollen," for so they were always designated, made a much greater sensation in their seclusion, than many less remarkable persons who are constantly living in the business and bustle of society. Hence many literary pilgrimages were made to the recluses of Plas Newydd; and the "even tenor" of their way was often diversified by the calls of the ill.u.s.trious, the learned, and the curious; from whom they were as willing to learn what was pa.s.sing in politics, literature, and general gossip, as were their visitors desirous of having a peep within the charmed circle of this mountain solitude.

Their motive for adopting this romantic seclusion is thus stated in "Steward's Collections and Recollections:"--

"Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Ponsonby were young ladies of beauty and rank, who loved each other with so true an affection, that they could never bear the afflicting idea of a separation, which the marriage of either might occasion. They therefore resolved on lives of celibacy, and refusing many handsome offers, and remaining deaf to the persuasions of their friends, they retired to the beautiful Yale of Llangollen, to enjoy the happiness of each other's company, that as their friendship began in infancy, it might be perpetuated through life. The traveller, in pa.s.sing by the celebrated abode of these interesting women, must contemplate with a sigh that excessive friendship which could tear from the bosom of society two of its brightest ornaments, to bury them in the depths of seclusion:--

'Full many a gem, of purest ray serene, The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear; Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air.'

"It is on this subject Miss Seward employs her poetical talents, in her well-known poem of 'Llangollen Vale.'--The following is an account of these celebrated ladies, extracted from a periodical work published in the year 1796. 'Miss Butler and Miss Ponsonby are now retired from the society of men into the wilds (!) of Llangollen in Wales, where they have resided seventeen years. Miss Butler is of the Ormond family, and had five offers of marriage, all of which she rejected. As Miss Ponsonby, her particular friend and companion, was supposed to have been the bar to her matrimonial union, it was thought proper to separate them, and Miss Butler was confined. The two ladies, however, found means to elope together, but being soon overtaken, were brought back to their respective relations. Many attempts were again made to draw Miss Butler into marriage, though in vain; not many weeks after, the ladies eloped again, each having a small sum with her. The place of their retreat was confided to a female servant of the house. Here they lived many years, unknown to any of the neighbouring villagers, otherwise than by the appellation of the 'Ladies of the Vale.' No persuasions could ever get them from this retreat. A lady from Ireland told the collector of these articles the following anecdote relative to these female friends:--An Irish n.o.bleman (Lord Fingal) happening to be travelling in the neighbourhood of Llangollen Vale, and having heard much of Lady E.

Butler and Miss Ponsonby, felt a desire to see and converse with them. But how he could obtain this pleasure (as the ladies seldom or never saw company, and were fond of a recluse life) was the question.

At length he bethought himself of a method the most likely to answer the purpose, without the appearance of forwardness or indelicacy. He sent his servant with the following verbal message:--'Lord Fingal, travelling in this neighbourhood, sends his respectful compliments to Miss Butler and Miss Ponsonby, and informs them that he sets out to-morrow morning for Ireland, and would be happy to be the bearer of any commands of theirs to that country.' This message had the effect which his lordship desired. He received, in return, a kind and friendly invitation to take tea with the ladies, which he, of course, accepted with much pleasure.--Lord Fingal (the collector's informant added) was peculiarly charmed with the amiable behaviour of these interesting enthusiasts of friendship. He found not in them the gravity, formality, and demureness of virgin recluses, but the ease of liveliness, and animated conversation of happy, cultivated, and polished minds."

On June 2, 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 90; and in December 9, 1831, Miss Ponsonby, who was seldom seen (except by her domestics) after the decease of her attached companion, was called to her "long home." They are both buried in the church-yard of Llangollen, where a stone monument is erected to their memory. On this record of mortality are inserted the following memorials:--

Sacred to the Memory of _The Right Honourable_ LADY ELEANOR CHARLOTTE BUTLER, Late of Plas Newydd in this Parish.

_Deceased_ 2_nd June_, 1829, Aged 90 Years.

_Daughter of the Sixteenth_, _Sister of the Seventeenth_ _EARLS OF ORMONDE AND OSSORY_.

Aunt to the late, and to the present MARQUESS OF ORMONDE.

_Endeared to her friends by an almost unequalled excellence of heart_, _and by manners worthy of her ill.u.s.trious birth_, _the admiration and delight of a very numerous acquaintance from a brilliant vivacity of mind undiminished to the latest period of a prolonged existence_. _Her amiable condescension & benevolence secured the grateful attachment of those by whom they had been so long and so extensively experienced_. _Her various perfections crowned by the most pious and cheerful submission to the Divine Will_, _can only be appreciated_, _where it is humbly believed_, _they are_ now _enjoying their Eternal Reward_, _and by her of whom for more than fifty years_, _they const.i.tuted that happiness_, _which through our Blessed Redeemer_, _she trusts will be renewed_ when THIS TOMB _shall have closed over its latest tenant_.

"Sorrow not as others who have no hope."

1 _Thess._ _Chap._ 4. _v._ 13.

SARAH PONSONBY departed this Life on the 9th December, 1831, Aged 76.

_She did not long survive her beloved Companion LADY ELEANOR BUTLER_, _with whom she had lived in this valley for more than half a century of uninterrupted friendship_. "_But they shall no more return to their House_, _neither shall their place know them any more_."

_Job_, _Chap._ 7. _v._ 10.

_Reader pause for a moment and reflect not on the uncertainty of human life but upon the certainty of its termination_, _and take comfort from the a.s.surance that_ "_As it is appointed unto men once to die_, _but after this the judgment_: _so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many_; _and unto them that look for Him_, _shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation_." _Heb._ _Chap._ 9. _v._ 27, 28.

On the same tombstone is also the following inscription, to the memory of a faithful servant, who accompanied "the Ladies" from Ireland, the country of their nativity.

In Memory of MRS. MARY CARRYL, _Deceased 22 November_, 1809.

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

_Released from Earth and all its transient woes_, _She whose remains beneath this Stone repose_, _Steadfast in faith resigned her parting breath_, _Looked up with Christian joy and smiled in death_.

_Patient_, _Industrious_, _Faithful_, _Generous_, _Kind_, _Her Conduct left the proudest far behind_;_ Her Virtues dignified her humble birth_, _And raised her mind above this sordid earth_.

_Attachment_ (_Sacred bond of grateful b.r.e.a.s.t.s_)_ Extinguished but with life_, _this Tomb attests_, _Reared by Two Friends who will her loss bemoan_, _Till with her ashes_--_Here shall rest their own_.

In 1832, the home of "the Ladies of Llangollen" was sold by auction, by the late renowned "knight of the hammer," Mr. George Robins, who put forth the following advertis.e.m.e.nt, in his characteristic style of decorative description.

"IN NORTH WALES.

Particulars and Conditions of Sale OF THE LADY ELEANOR BUTLER AND MISS PONSONBY'S LITTLE PARADISE AT LLANGOLLEN, Of which a more enlarged description will appear on the other side.

IT IS ALL FREEHOLD, And it need hardly be remarked that it is in the most favoured Spot in NORTH WALES; Which will be Sold by Auction BY * * * * *

MR. GEORGE ROBINS, * * * * *

AT THE AUCTION MART, LONDON, On THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 1832, at Twelve o'Clock, IN ONE LOT, BY DIRECTION OF THE EXECUTORS.

May be viewed only with Tickets, and Particulars had Twenty-one Days prior to the Sale at the Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury; the Inns at Llangollen, and Corwen; the Great Hotel, Bangor; Waterloo, Liverpool; York House, Bath; and at Mr. GEORGE ROBINS's Offices, London.

N.B. The appropriate Furniture, Service of Plate, Elegancies of the Chateau, extensive Library of Books, and all the valuable Appendages, will be submitted to Public Compet.i.tion the latter End of the Month of July, by Direction of the Executors.

PARTICULARS, &c.

Mr. ROBINS is not a little proud that it hath been his good fortune to be selected by the Executors of the Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Ponsonby to direct the sale of their far-famed Domicile. He feels that an apology will be due to all those who are familiar with its beauties and peculiarities, for the very imperfect recital which follows, while those who are yet to be gratified with the sight of it, may imagine he has drawn some little upon "Fancy's sketch." There is nothing of pretension in its outward form, it indicates but moderately the comfort that presides within, inasmuch as will be found congregated all the _agremens_ pertaining to more consequential habitations. Considerable tact is conspicuous everywhere; but none more unequivocally displayed than in the lightsome little Dining Room, contrasted with the gloomy, yet superior grace of the Library, into which it opens. This room is fitted up in the Gothic style, the Windows are of ancient painted gla.s.s "_shedding their dim religious light_."

THE SALOON OF THE MINERVAS

Is the repository of the choice Library. The auxiliary Offices are very commensurate, the grounds are disposed in such good order as is the natural consequence of pure taste, the Kitchen Garden is neatness itself, and the Fruit trees are of the rarest and finest sort, and luxuriant in their produce. Many and shaded

GRAVEL WALKS ENCIRCLE THIS ELYSIUM,

Which is adorned with curious and rare Shrubs and Flowers. It is nothing in extent but

EVERYTHING IN GRACE AND BEAUTY,

United with a great variety of foliage. Upon the Freehold is a considerable quant.i.ty of valuable Timber which overhangs

A DEEP AND HOLLOW GLEN;

In its entangled bottom, a frothing brook leaps and clamours o'er the rough stones in its channel towards

THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN.

To speak of the latter would be quite superfluous, few, if any, are unacquainted with the wildness and surpa.s.sing beauty of the most admired spot in North Wales. Its contiguity to the little romantic village, giving the opportunity either to indulge in the gaiety of this place, or recreate in retirement, (as shall seem best suited to varied inclination), there are fortunately both auxiliaries to this scene (it had almost been said of enchantment). The verdant Lawns, dotted with rare plants, the scenic beauties, and the woodland scenery combined, plead in extenuation of this lofty tone. The whole is encompa.s.sed by rich meadows, wearing a park-like appearance; held with the freehold, which is limited to less than Five Acres. A truly beautiful Portico of carved Oak leads to this

DOMICILE OF COMFORT.

The whole lower Story of which, on the outside, is covered with the richest carved Oak, and within which will be found a Dining Room 15 feet by 15, with handsome Chimney Piece, and carved Oak Doors and Wainscoting.