The record-union., 1894-02-24

"hilarity and benevolence in her smile
EXhaustless is her fund of historic and
traditionary knowledge and of every
thing passing in the present eventtul
period. She expresses all she feels with
an ingenious ardor at which the cold
spirited beings stare"
Miss Ponsonby, seventeen years
younger than her friend, was OF TALL
slender, though round, figure, with
most graceful carriage; she had a clear,
pale complexion, and soft, melancholy
eyes, the natural reserve and pensiveness
OF her character proving an admirable
complement to the eXuberance OF that OF
her friend. and serving TO very much
nullify the difference in their ages.
A FrenchWoman, who visited the cot
tage at Plas Newyd during it's occupancy
by the ladies, thus graphically describes
her stay:
I'VE were received" she writes, with
grace, cordially, and kindness of
which it would be impossible for me to
give any idea. l could not turn my eyes
from those ladies, rendered so interesting
by their friendship, and so extraordinary
on account OF their way OF life. L per-
ceiVed in them none of that vanity which
takes delight i'll the surprise OF others.
Their mutual attachment and their whole
conduct evince such simplicity that as
tOnishment soon gives way 10 softer emo
tions; ali they do and say breathes the
utmost frankDess and sincerity. One
circumstance which l cannot help re-
marking is that, after living so many
years i'll this seQuestered retreat, they
speak French with equal huency and
purity, An excellent library,
composed of the best English. French
and Italian authors, affords them an in
haustible source Of diversified amuse-
ment and solid occupation; for reading is
not truly profitable except when per-
sou has time TO read again."
Besides reading, the friends were pro-
ficient i'll many feminine occupations.
Both we're expert embroiderers, and their
home was filled with exquisite specimens
Of their work; Lady Eleanor excelled as
musician. beguiling many hours for
her friend and herself with sweetest mel
Odies; Miss PonsOnby was painter OF no
mean ability, sketching from nature; on
the walls of the cottage still hang specl-
mems OF her skill; her work with the pen,
too, was remarkable; she copied many
pieces of prose and verse, Illuminating
them with vignetUes and arabesques OF
beautiful design-the work forming a
valuable collection.
In these gentle pursuits, cultivating the
arts with modesty and success. enjoying
the esteem and affection OF all who knew
them, and never ceasing TO be grateful for
the dear companlonShlp OF each other, the
their lives.
Lady Eleanor died first, June 2, 1879, at
the ripe age OF 80. The stone III the viii
lage churchyard which records her death
and virtues tells, too, that she was the
''daughteer of the sixteenth, sister OF the
seventeeth Earls Of OrmOnde and Ossory,
aunt to the late and to The present Mar
guess of Ormonde,"
Her grave opened a little more than
two years later to receive the body Of her
life companion Sarah Ponsonby. The
latter, IA when her friend died, drooped
and aged rapidly in her loneliness, and
welcomed the summons that should let
her rest beside her.
The example of these secluded lives is
not perhaps, to be commended for imita-
ton; still there is much in them that is
copyable. one of the problems OF The
day is, what to do with the superlluous
woman-the woman who, statistics say,
cannot marry. and who, some social
economists say, must not become wage
Garner. She will not be denied the best
education within her reach, and with this,
Is there not womanly, helpful, and
happy career for her, in her own com
munity? The fragrance of noble life is
not lost because it is not heading reform
or founding a club.
And it is something to have it said of
one, as it was of the Ladies of Llangol-
LEM: Their qualities were such that
their whole lives were spent il perform
ing worthy deeds"