Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-01-12

top of the hill. where is pretty cottage
called "Plas Newydd." This has the
following history: Lady Eleanor But
Ter and Miss Ponsonby, Irish ladies of
rank and beauty, loved each other with
an affection so true that they could
never bear the idea of the separation
which the marriage of either would ne
cessitate. 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 homes.
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 small sum with her;
and it is said that, although Lady Elean-
or arrived here in the natural aspect of
apretty girl, Miss Ponsonby accompan-
led her in the guise of small footman,
in top boots and buskin brooches. 1t
was about the year 1778 when these
errant ladies visited Llonyollen. While
rambling along this charming locality,
their eyes rested on gentle eminence
near the village, and there they resolved
to fix their abode. They, accordingly,
purchased the estate, builtanew cottage
on the site of the old one, laid out gar
dens, pleasure grounds, rural walks and
bridges, by which they might enjoy the
natural charms of this picturesque re-
treat. Theil 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
powderings of the hair, their well starch
ed neckcloths, the upper part of their
habits-which they always wear, even
at dinner party made precisely like
mems coats, with regular
BLACK BEAVER HATS.
everything contributing to this SEM
blance. To crown all, they had crop
heads, which were rough, dashy, and
white as snow.
Plas Newydd was built at the north
east end of field called the Macs, and
was therefore, called Penymaes the
end of the Macs. These ladies were very
charitable, helping the poor by giving
them employment. Although their farm
had only thirteen acres of land-four OF
their own, and nine held as tenants,
they kept carpenter, cowman, a
man of all work, as regular farm SER
wants, and in the hay harvest an addi-
tiopaI n,,nhar of MON apI nno, ,vo,,an
with two ladies maids and three female
servants in the house.
These ladies never interfered with the
religion of their servants. They fol
lowed the example of n certain German
sovereign, who, when some of his cour-
tiers advised him to compel all of his
subjects to be of the same religion as
himself, replied, Il rule over the
bodies of my faithful subjects as
touching the soul am not their king,
but fellow-subiect with them to the
Great King, who can govern the soul,
and has reserved conscience as his own
sacred province" Whenever any one
thought friendship between two ladies
impossible. and not able to stand the
constant wear of each other for half q
century, they were told of the ''Maids OF
Llangollen." They spoke several lon
guages, one was a superior musician,
the other, who writes a beautiful hand
has copied number of select pieces in
VERSE AND PROSE,
which she has ornamented with Wig
nettes, and arabesques, that form a
most valuable collection. just as we
reached the gate, sudden shower fell
and turning towards the house we saw
a person reckoning us to come in,
which we did, and were politely showed
over the entire dwelling, filled with
carving and relics from foreign coun.
tries, that the fair ones had had brought
to them. East room was study in it.
self. The old stoop and front door are
marvels of beauty. The cottage ha:
been purchased by gentleman in Lon
don, who bought it on speculation
without seeing it. The woman in charge
gave us most interesting account, ano
explained much that would have been q
mystery to us. The ground had beer
neglected since the death of the ladies,
but is to be restored to its original state.
Miss Eleanor died in 1929, at the age OF
80 years. Miss Ponsonby in 1881, aged
"A years. " But they shall no more re-
turn to their house, neither shall theil
place know them any more"
The rain ceased in time for us t.
reach the station at the hours expira-
ton. The ride was lovely down the
valley, at Ruauben the through train
was waiting, and we were soon enroutt
for Shrewsbury, which place we reached
at Z, very tired, but will pleased will
our three days outing. l.. 5. V. A.