Part 2

ONCE two young girls of rank and beauty rare, Of features more than ordinary fair, Who in the heyday of their youthful charms Refused the proffer of all suitors’ arms, Lived in a cottage here rich carved in oak, Though now long passed from life by death’s grim stroke. Plas Newydd’s gardens then displayed much taste, And nought about them e’er allowed to waste. The umbrageous foliage of surrounding trees Gave them a shelter from the stormy breeze, Whilst in a snug retreat about south-west, Was bird-cote placed as shelter for redbreast, For sparrow, chaffinch, blackbird, or for thrush, These ladies did not wish the cold to touch. Then did all species of ferns abound In every nook and corner of their ground, Then none were known to come unto their door That were not welcomed with kind words, or more. These ladies to each other kind and true, Around Llangollen’s vale, like them were few. E’en now I see them seated in yon chair, In well-starched neckcloths, and with powdered hair, Their upper habits just like men’s they wore, With tall black beaver hats outside their door; To crown it all my muse would whisper low, With hair cropped short, rough, bushy, white as snow. They at death’s summons, God’s commands obeyed, And were in fair Llangollen’s churchyard laid, As they through life together did abide, E’en now in death they both lie side by side; Of them remains nought save dark mould and sod, Who loved their neighbours second to their God; Sweet peace be theirs—by death to dust allied, Through him who near a century was their Guide; Beloved, respected by the world were they, By all regretted when they passed away.

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.

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_H. Jones_, _Printer_, _Llangollen_.

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_Published every Friday Morning_, _by H. Jones_, 17, _Castle_, _Street_, _Llangollen_, _Price One Penny_,

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.

_Terms for Advertisements sent on Application_.

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

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PRICE SIXPENCE, JONES’S

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.

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

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

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ENGLISH AND WELSH VOCABULARY. Price Six Pence.

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

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