The record-union., 1894-02-24

undeterred by the fearful entreaties of
their many and despairing friends.
III the course of d journey undertaken
for that purpose some time before the sec
Ond fitting. they had visited North Wales
and been much attracted by the sylvan
loveliness and seclusion of Llangollen.
They decided that it offered every advan-
tage for carrying out their long-cherished
scheme, and, after saying good-by to
their friends. they journeyed direct to the
little Welsh village.
The only bit of maSquerading which
these extraordinary young women per-
mitted themselves was in the manner of
making this journey, and this may be
forgiven them since uneScorted travel
for women in those days was not always
agreeable. 1t is a matter of record that
they reached Llangollen in the year l77S,
and it is also a matter OF record that,
though Lady Butler arrived in the natu-
raj guise OF q young woman OF thirty-four,
Miss POnsonby accompanied her as q
smart footman in top boots and buckskin
breeches.
Within very short time of theiI reach
ing the town, they had discovered and
purchased the place which was atterward
their joint home for more than half a CEN
tury. Plas Newydd was small estate of
about thirteen acres, and, though some
what run down, the energy OF the ladies
soon restored and greatly added to its
beauty
The cottage which they found on the
place was torn down and replaced with
one of simple exterior, indeed, but
within whose walls was gathered much
Of elegance of furnishings and htments.
The gardens surrounding the house were
beautifully laid out, and every inch of the
tidy little estate was brought under cul-
tivation.
They lived very simply, but in man
ner betting their birth and means. Two
ladies' maids and three other female
servants were employed in the house.
while five or six men, and at times more,
kept at work out OF doors.
With a wisdom which was in advance
of their time. these Sagaci0us women
were charitable only to the sick, the aged,
and the intirm, Offering to other appli-
cants Tor aims the best of help-that of
work. Their genuine kindness of heart,
combined with their dignity of manner,
soon won for them the respect, and, later,
the devoted affection of the villagers.
Their judgment became often appealed>to
and was always decisive. The working
classes gave their orders preference over
all others, and would leave any work
unfinished to execute commission from
them.
They were considered all-powerlul
intercessors with the nagistracy and
Government. Mothers of recreant lads
and wives of transgressing husbands took
their burdens hopefully TO the Ladies, !"
sure of relief. They were not often dis
appointed. Their influence proved sut1i-
cient even to save the life OF one young
man who had been sentenced to death Tor
forgery.
Although they never staid away from
their home over night, they were not un-
sociable; they sometimes paid visits to
the neighbOring gentry and received,
with the greatest politeness, travellers on
their way to or from Ireland who brought
letters from any of their old friends
Once at Llangollen, the two assumed
the dress which they wore the rest of
their lives, its popularity naturally at
tracing much attention. The villagers
in time grew accustomed both to the dress
and the ladies, but strangers were always
deeply interested in their appearance.
Charles Mathews, the comedian, thus de-
scribes the two as he saw them when
their residence at Llangollen had lasted q
number OF years: "As they are seated
there is not one point To distinguish them
from men; the dresses and pOwderlng of
the hair, their well-starched neckcloths,
the upper of their habits (which they al
ways wear, even ut a dinner party made
precisely like mems coats, with regular
black beaver hats everything contrib
uting to this semblance. To crown all,
they had crop heads, which were rough,
bushy, and white as snow"
OF the two women, Lady Eleanor was
the least beautiful; she was of middle
hight, and as she grew older her plump
ness increased to stoutness. Her COM
plexion was fair, ana the glow OF splen-
did health was to her closing years a part
of her charm, Enthusiasm is in her