第7章

"Whatlanguagedotheyspeak？"

"English，sir；theypridethemselvesonspeakinggoodEnglish，thatistotheWelsh。AmongstthemselvestheydiscourseintheirownPaddyGwyddel。"

"HavetheynoWelsh？"

"Onlyafewwords，sir；IneverheardoneofthemspeakingWelsh，saveayounggirl—shefellsickbytheroadsideasshewaswanderingbyherself—somepeopleatafarmhousetookherin，andtendedhertillshewaswell。Duringhersicknessshetookafancytotheirquietwayoflife，andwhenshewasrecoveredshebeggedtostaywiththemandservethem。Theyconsented；shebecameaverygoodservant，andhearingnothingbutWelshspoken，soonpickedupthetongue。"

"Doyouknowwhatbecameofher？"

"Ido，sir；herownpeoplefoundherout，andwishedtotakeherawaywiththem，butsherefusedtoletthem，forbythattimeshewasperfectlyreclaimed，hadbeentochapel，renouncedherheathencrefydd，andformedanacquaintancewithayoungMethodistwhohadagreatgiftofprayer，whomsheafterwardsmarried—sheandherhusbandliveatpresentnotfarfromMineira。"

"Ialmostwonderthatherownpeopledidnotkillher。"

"Theythreatenedtodoso，sir，andwoulddoubtlesshaveputtheirthreatintoexecution，hadtheynotbeenpreventedbytheManonHigh。"

Andheremyguidepointedwithhisfingerreverentlyupward。

"IsitalongtimesinceyouhaveseenanyoftheseGwyddeliaid？"

"Abouttwomonths，sir，andthenaterriblefrighttheycausedme。"

"Howwasthat？"

"Iwilltellyou，sir；IhadbeenacrosstheBerwyntocarryhomeapieceofweavingworktoapersonwhoemploysme。ItwasnightasIreturned，andwhenIwasabouthalfwaydownthehill，ataplacewhichiscalledAlltPaddy，becausetheGwyddelodareinthehabitoftakinguptheirquartersthere，Icameuponagangofthem，whohadcomethereandcampedandlightedtheirfire，whilstIwasontheothersideofthehill。Therewerenearlytwentyofthem，menandwomen，andamongsttherestwasamanstandingnakedinatubofwaterwithtwowomenstrokinghimdownwithclouts。Hewasalargefierce—lookingfellowandhisbody，onwhichtheflameofthefireglittered，wasnearlycoveredwithredhair。Ineversawsuchasight。AsIpassedtheyglaredatmeandtalkedviolentlyintheirPaddyGwyddel，butdidnotoffertomolestme。Ihasteneddownthehill，andrightgladIwaswhenIfoundmyselfsafeandsoundatmyhouseinLlangollen，withmymoneyinmypocket，forI

hadseveralshillingsthere，whichthemanacrossthehillhadpaidmefortheworkwhichIhaddone。"

CHAPTERXV

TheTurfTavern—Don’tUnderstand—TheBestWelsh—TheMaidsofMerion—OldandNew—Ruthyn—TheAshYggdrasill。

WEnowemergedfromtheroughandnarrowwaywhichwehadfollowedforsomemiles，upononemuchwider，andmorecommodious，whichmyguidetoldmewasthecoachroadfromWrexhamtoRuthyn，andgoingonalittlefartherwecametoanavenueoftreeswhichshadedtheroad。Itwaschieflycomposedofash，sycamoreandbirch，andlookeddelightfullycoolandshady。Iaskedmyguideifitbelongedtoanygentleman’shouse。Hetoldmethatitdidnot，buttoapublic—house，calledTafarnTywarch，whichstoodneartheend，alittlewayofftheroad。"WhyisitcalledTafarnTywarch？"

saidI，struckbythenamewhichsignifies"thetavernofturf。"

"Itwascalledso，sir，"saidJohn，"becauseitwasoriginallymerelyaturfhovel，thoughatpresentitconsistsofgoodbrickandmortar。"

"Canwebreakfastthere，"saidI，"forIfeelbothhungryandthirsty？"

"Ohyes，sir，"saidJohn，"Ihaveheardthereisgoodcheeseandcwrwthere。"

Weturnedofftothe"tafarn，"whichwasadecentpublic—houseofratheranantiquatedappearance。Weenteredasandedkitchen，andsatdownbyalargeoakentable。"Pleasetobringussomebread，cheeseandale，"saidIinWelshtoanelderlywoman，whowasmovingabout。

"Sar？"saidshe。

"Bringussomebread，cheeseandale，"IrepeatedinWelsh。

"Idonotunderstandyou，sar，"saidsheinEnglish。

"AreyouWelsh？"saidIinEnglish。

"Yes，IamWelsh！"

"AndcanyouspeakWelsh？"

"Ohyes，andthebest。"

"ThenwhydidyounotbringwhatIaskedfor？"

"BecauseIdidnotunderstandyou。"

"Tellher，"saidItoJohnJones，"tobringussomebread，cheeseandale。"

"Come，aunt，"saidJohn，"bringusbreadandcheeseandaquartofthebestale。"

Thewomanlookedasifshewasgoingtoreplyinthetongueinwhichheaddressedher，thenfaltered，andatlastsaidinEnglishthatshedidnotunderstand。

"Now，"saidI，"youarefairlycaught：thismanisaWelshman，andmoreoverunderstandsnolanguagebutWelsh。"

"Thenhowcanheunderstandyou？"saidshe。

"BecauseIspeakWelsh，"saidI。

"ThenyouareaWelshman？"saidshe。

"NoIamnot，"saidI，"IamEnglish。"

"SoIthought，"saidshe，"andonthataccountIcouldnotunderstandyou。"

"Youmeanthatyouwouldnot，"saidI。"Nowdoyouchoosetobringwhatyouarebidden？"

"Come，aunt，"saidJohn，"don’tbesillyandcenfigenus，butbringthebreakfast。"

Thewomanstoodstillforamomentortwo，andthenbitingherlipswentaway。

"Whatmadethewomanbehaveinthismanner？"saidItomycompanion。

"Oh，shewascenfigenus，sir，"hereplied；"shedidnotlikethatanEnglishgentlemanshouldunderstandWelsh；shewasenvious；youwillfindadozenortwolikeherinWales；butletushopenotmore。"

Presentlythewomanreturnedwiththebread，cheeseandale，whichsheplacedonthetable。

"Oh，"saidI，"youhavebroughtwhatwasbidden，thoughitwasnevermentionedtoyouinEnglish，whichshowsthatyourpretendingnottounderstandwasallasham。Whatmadeyoubehaveso？"

"WhyIthought，"saidthewoman，"thatnoEnglishmancouldspeakWelsh，thathistonguewastooshort。"

"Yourhavingthoughtso，"saidI，"shouldnothavemadeyoutellafalsehood，sayingthatyoudidnotunderstand，whenyouknewthatyouunderstoodverywell。Seewhatadisgracefulfigureyoucut。"

"Icutnodisgracedfigure，"saidthewoman："afterall，whatrighthavetheEnglishtocomeherespeakingWelsh，whichbelongstotheWelshalone，whoinfactaretheonlypeoplethatunderstandit。"

"AreyousurethatyouunderstandWelsh？"saidI。

"Ishouldthinkso，"saidthewoman，"forIcomefromtheValeofClwyd，wheretheyspeakthebestWelshintheworld，theWelshoftheBible。"

"WhatdotheycallasalmonintheValeofClwyd？"saidI。

"Whatdotheycallasalmon？"saidthewoman。"Yes，"saidI，"whentheyspeakWelsh。"

"Theycallit—theycallit—whyasalmon。"

"PrettyWelsh！"saidI。"IthoughtyoudidnotunderstandWelsh。"

"Well，whatdoyoucallit？"saidthewoman。

"Eawg，"saidI，"thatisthewordforasalmoningeneral—buttherearewordsalsotoshowthesex—whenyouspeakofamalesalmonyoushouldsaycemyw，whenofafemalehwyfell。"

"Ineverheardthewordsbefore，"saidthewoman，"nordoIbelievethemtobeWelsh。"

"Yousayso，"saidI，"becauseyoudonotunderstandWelsh。"

"InotunderstandWelsh！"saidshe。"I’llsoonshowyouthatIdo。

Come，youhaveaskedmethewordforsalmoninWelsh，Iwillnowaskyouthewordforsalmon—trout。Nowtellmethat，andIwillsayyouknowsomethingofthematter。"

"Atinkerofmycountrycantellyouthat，"saidI。"Thewordforsalmon—troutisgleisiad。"

Thecountenanceofthewomanfell。

"Iseeyouknowsomethingaboutthematter，"saidshe；"thereareveryfewhereabouts，thoughsoneartotheValeofClwyd，whoknowthewordforsalmon—troutinWelsh，Ishouldn’thaveknownthewordmyself，butforthesongwhichsays：

Glanyw’rgleisiadynyllyn。"

"Andwhowrotethatsong？"saidI。

"Idon’tknow，"saidthewoman。

"ButIdo，"saidI；"oneLewisMorriswroteit。’

"Oh，"saidshe，"IhaveheardallaboutHuwMorris。"

"IwasnottalkingofHuwMorris，"saidI，"butLewisMorris，wholivedlongafterHuwMorris。HewasanativeofAnglesea，butresidedforsometimeinMerionethshire，andwhilsttherecomposedasongabouttheMorwynionbroMeirionyddorthelassesofCountyMerionofagreatmanystanzas，inoneofwhichthegleisiadismentioned。HereitisinEnglish：

"’Fullfairthegleisiadintheflood，Whichsparkles’neaththesummer’ssun，AndfairthethrushingreenabodeSpreadinghiswingsinsportivefun，Butfairerlookiftruthbespoke，ThemaidsofCountyMerion。’"

Thewomanwasabouttoreply，butIinterruptedher。

"There，"saidI，"prayleaveustoourbreakfast，andthenexttimeyoufeelinclinedtotalknonsenseaboutnoEnglishman’sunderstandingWelsh，orknowinganythingofWelshmatters，rememberthatitwasanEnglishmanwhotoldyoutheWelshwordforsalmon，andlikewisethenameoftheWelshmanwhowrotethesonginwhichthegleisiadismentioned。"

Thealewasverygoodandsowerethebreadandcheese。ThealeindeedwassogoodthatIorderedasecondjug。Observingalargeantiqueportraitoverthemantel—pieceIgotuptoexamineit。Itwasthatofagentlemaninalongwig，andunderneathitwaspaintedinredletters"SirWatkinWynn：1742。"ItwasdoubtlesstheportraitoftheSirWatkinwho，in1745wascommittedtothetowerundersuspicionofbeingsuspectedofholdingJacobiteopinions，andfavouringthePretender。Theportraitwasaverypoordaub，butIlookedatitlongandattentivelyasamemorialofWalesatacriticalandlongpasttime。

Whenwehaddispatchedthesecondjugofale，andIhadpaidthereckoning，wedepartedandsooncametowherestoodaturnpikehouseatajunctionoftworoads，toeachofwhichwasagate。

"Now，sir，"saidJohnJones，"thewaystraightforwardisthefforddnewydd，andtheoneonourrighthandisthehenffordd。

Whichshallwefollow，thenewortheold？"

"ThereisaproverbintheGerniweg，"saidI，"whichwasthelanguageofmyforefathers，saying，’ne’erleavetheoldwayforthenew，’wewillthereforegobythehenffordd。"

"Verygood，sir，"saidmyguide，"thatisthepathIalwaysgo，foritistheshortest。"Soweturnedtotherightandfollowedtheoldroad。Perhaps，however，itwouldhavebeenwellhadwegonebythenew，forthehenfforddwasaverydullanduninterestingroad，whereasthefforddnewydd，asIlongsubsequentlyfound，isoneofthegrandestpassesinWales。Afterwehadwalkedashortdistancemyguidesaid，"Now，sir，ifyouwillturnalittlewaytothelefthandIwillshowyouahouse，builtintheoldstyle，suchahouse，sir，asIdaresaytheoriginalturftavernwas。"Thenleadingmealittlewayfromtheroadheshowedme，underahollowbank，asmallcottagecoveredwithflags。

"Thatisahouse，sir，builtynyrhendullintheoldfashion，ofearth，flagsandwattlesandinonenight。Itwasthecustomofoldwhenahousewastobebuilt，forthepeopletoassemble，andtobuilditinonenightofcommonmaterials，closeathand。Thecustomisnotquitedead。Iwasatthebuildingofthismyself，andamerrybuildingitwas。Thecwrwdapassedquicklyaboutamongthebuilders，Iassureyou。"Wereturnedtotheroad，andwhenwehadascendedahill，mycompaniontoldmethatifIlookedtotheleftIshouldseetheValeofClwyd。

Ilookedandperceivedanextensivevalleypleasantlydottedwithtreesandfarm—houses，andboundedonthewestbyarangeofhills。

"Itisafinevalley，sir，"saidmyguide，"fourmileswideandtwentylong，andcontainstherichestlandinallWales。Cheesemadeinthatvalley，sir，fetchesapennyapoundmorethancheesemadeinanyothervalley。"

"Andwhoownsit？"saidI。

"Variousarethepeoplewhoownit，sir，butSirWatkinownsthegreaterpart。"

Wewenton，passedbyavillagecalledCraigVychan，wherewesawanumberofwomenwashingatafountain，andbyagentledescentsoonreachedtheValeofClwyd。

Afterwalkingaboutamilewelefttheroadandproceededbyafootpathacrosssomemeadows。Themeadowsweregreenanddelightfulandwereintersectedbyabeautifulstream。Treesinabundanceweregrowingabout，someofwhichwereoaks。Wepassedbyalittlewhitechapelwithasmallgraveyardbeforeit，whichmyguidetoldmebelongedtotheBaptists，andshortlyafterwardsreachedRuthyn。

WewenttoaninncalledtheCrossedFoxes，wherewerefreshedourselveswithale。Wethensalliedforthtolookabout，afterI

hadorderedaducktobegotreadyfordinner，atthreeo’clock。

RuthynstandsonahillabovetheClwyd，whichinthesummerisamerebrook，butinthewinteraconsiderablestream，beingthenfedwiththewaterytributeofahundredhills。Aboutthreemilestothenorthisarangeofloftymountains，dividingtheshireofDenbighfromthatofFlint，amongstwhich，almostparallelwiththetown，andliftingitsheadhighabovetherest，isthemightyMoelVamagh，themotherheap，whichIhadseenfromChester。Ruthynisadulltown，butitpossessedplentyofinteresttome，forasI

strolledwithmyguideaboutthestreetsIrememberedthatIwastreadingthegroundwhichthewildbandsofGlendowerhadtrod，andwherethegreatstrugglecommenced，whichforfourteenyearsconvulsedWales，andforsometimeshookEnglandtoitscentre。

AfterIhadsatisfiedmyselfwithwanderingaboutthetownweproceededtothecastle。

Theoriginalcastlesufferedterriblyinthecivilwars；itwasheldforwretchedCharles，andwasnearlydemolishedbythecannonofCromwell，whichwereplantedonahillabouthalfamiledistant。Thepresentcastleispartlymodernandpartlyancient。

ItbelongstoafamilyofthenameofW—whoresideinthemodernpart，andwhohavethecharacterofbeingkind，hospitableandintellectualpeople。Weonlyvisitedtheancientpart，overwhichwewereshownbyawoman，whohearingusspeakingWelsh，spokeWelshherselfduringthewholetimeshewasshowingusabout。Sheshowedusdarkpassages，agloomyapartmentinwhichWelshkingsandgreatpeoplehadbeenoccasionallyconfined，thatstrangememorialofthegoodoldtimes，adrowningpit，andalargeprisonroom，inthemiddleofwhichstoodasingular—lookingcolumn，scrawledwithoddcharacters，whichhadofyorebeenusedforawhipping—post，anothermemorialofthegoodoldbaronialtimes，sodeartoromancereadersandmindsofsensibility。Amongstotherthingswhichourconductorshoweduswasanimmenseonenorash；itstoodinoneofthecourtsandmeasured，asshesaid，pedwaryhaneroladdyneigwmpas，orfouryardsandahalfingirth。AsI

gazedonthemightytreeIthoughtoftheAshYggdrasillmentionedintheVoluspa，orprophecyofVola，thatvenerablepoemwhichcontainssomuchrelatingtothemythologyoftheancientNorse。

Wereturnedtotheinnanddined。Theduckwascapital，andI

askedJohnJonesifhehadevertastedabetter。"Never，sir，"

saidhe，"fortotellyouthetruth，Inevertastedaduckbefore。"

"Rathersingular，"saidI。"What，thatIshouldnothavetastedduck？Oh，sir，thesingularityis，thatIshouldnowbetastingduck。DuckinWales，sir，isnotfareforpoorweavers。ThisisthefirstduckIevertasted，andthoughInevertasteanother，asIprobablynevershall，Imayconsidermyselfafortunateweaver，forIcannowsayIhavetastedduckonceinmylife。FewweaversinWalesareeverabletosayasmuch。"

CHAPTERXVI

BaptistTomb—Stone—TheToll—Bar—Rebecca—TheGuitar。

THEsunwasfastdecliningasweleftRuthyn。Weretracedourstepsacrossthefields。WhenwecametotheBaptistChapelIgotoverthewallofthelittleyardtolookatthegrave—stones。

Therewereonlythree。TheinscriptionsuponthemwereallinWelsh。ThefollowingstanzawasonthestoneofJane，thedaughterofElizabethWilliams，whodiedonthesecondofMay，1843：

"Ermyn’di’roerllydanneddDrosdymherhiriorwedd，Cwydi’rlano’rgwelybriddAchyfrydfyddeihagwedd。"

whichis"ThoughthouartgonetodwellingcoldTolieinmouldformanyayear，Thoushalt，atlength，fromearthybed，Upliftthyheadtoblissfulsphere。"

AswewentalongIstoppedtogazeatasingular—lookinghillformingpartofthemountainrangeontheeast。IaskedJohnJoneswhatitsnamewas，buthedidnotknow。Aswewerestandingtalkingaboutit，aladycameupfromthedirectioninwhichourcourselay。JohnJones，touchinghishattoher，said：

"Madam，thisgwrboneddigwishestoknowthenameofthatmoel，perhapsyoucantellhim。"

"ItsnameisMoelAgrik，"saidthelady，addressingmeinEnglish。

"DoesthatmeanAgricola’shill？"saidI。

"Itdoes，"saidshe，"andthereisatraditionthattheRomanGeneralAgricola，whenheinvadedtheseparts，pitchedhiscamponthatmoel。ThehillisspokenofbyPennant。"

"Thankyou，madam，"saidI；"perhapsyoucantellmethenameofthedelightfulgroundsinwhichwestand，supposingtheyhaveaname？"

"TheyarecalledOaklands，"saidthelady。

"Averypropername，"saidI，"forthereisplentyofoaksgrowingabout。ButwhyaretheycalledbyaSaxonname，forOaklandsisSaxon？"

"Because，"saidthelady，"whenthegroundswerefirstplantedwithtreestheybelongedtoanEnglishfamily。"

"Thankyou，"saidI，and，takingoffmyhat，Idepartedwithmyguide。Iaskedhimhername，buthecouldnottellme。Beforeshewasoutofsight，however，wemetalabourerofwhomJohnJonesenquiredhername。

"HernameisW—s，"saidtheman，"andagoodladysheis。"

"IssheWelsh？"saidI。

"PureWelsh，master，"saidtheman。"PurerWelshfleshandbloodneednotbe。"

Nothingfartherworthrelatingoccurredtillwereachedthetoll—

barattheheadofthehenffordd，bywhichtimethesunwasalmostgonedown。Wefoundthemasterofthegate，hiswifeandsonseatedonabenchbeforethedoor。Thewomanhadalargebookonherlap，inwhichshewasreadingbythelastlightofthedepartingorb。IgavethegrouptheseleoftheeveninginEnglish，whichtheyallreturned，thewomanlookingupfromherbook。

"IsthatvolumetheBible？"saidI。

"Itis，sir，"saidthewoman。

"MayIlookatit？"saidI。

"Certainly，"saidthewoman，andplacedthebookinmyhand。ItwasamagnificentWelshBible，butwithoutthetitle—page。

"Thatbookmustbeagreatcomforttoyou，"saidItoher。

"Verygreat，"saidshe。"Iknownotwhatweshoulddowithoutitinthelongwinterevenings。"

"Ofwhatfaithareyou？"saidI。

"WeareMethodists，"shereplied。

"Thenyouareofthesamefaithasmyfriendhere，"saidI。

"Yes，yes，"saidshe，"weareawareofthat。WeallknowhonestJohnJones。"

AfterwehadleftthegateIaskedJohnJoneswhetherhehadeverheardofRebeccaofthetoll—gates。

"Oh，yes，"saidhe；"Ihaveheardofthatchieftainess。"

"Andwhowasshe？"saidI。

"Icannotsay，sir；Ineversawher，noranyonewhohadseenher。

SomesaythattherewereahundredRebeccas，andallofthemmendressedinwomen’sclothes，whowentaboutatnight，attheheadofbandstobreakthegates。Ah，sir，somethingofthekindwasalmostnecessaryatthattime。Iamafriendofpeace，sir，nohead—breaker，house—breaker，norgate—breaker，butIcanhardlyblamewhatwasdoneatthattime，underthenameofRebecca。YouhavenoideahowthepoorWelshwereoppressedbythosegates，aye，andtherichtoo。Thelittlepeopleandfarmerscouldnotcarrytheirproducetomarketowingtotheexactionsatthegates，whichdevouredalltheprofitandsometimesmore。Sothatthemarketswerenothalfsupplied，andpeoplewithmoneycouldfrequentlynotgetwhattheywanted。Complaintsweremadetogovernment，whichnotbeingattendedto，Rebeccaandherbyddinionmadetheirappearanceatnight，andbrokethegatestopieceswithsledge—

hammers，andeverybodysaiditwasgallantwork，everybodysavethekeepersofthegatesandtheproprietors。Notonlythepoorbuttherich，saidso。Aye，andIhaveheardthatmanyafineyounggentlemanhadahandinthework，andwentaboutatnightattheheadofabanddressedasRebecca。Well，sir，thosebreakingswereactsofviolence，Idon’tdeny，buttheydidgood，forthesystemisaltered；suchimpositionsarenolongerpractisedatgatesaswerebeforethetimeofRebecca。"

"Wereanypeopleevertakenupandpunishedforthosenocturnalbreakings？"saidI。

"No，sir；andIhaveheardsaythatnobody’sbeingtakenupwasaproofthattherichapprovedoftheworkandhadahandinit。"

Nighthadcomeonbythetimewereachedthefootofthehugehillswehadcrossedinthemorning。Wetoileduptheascent，andaftercrossingthelevelgroundonthetop，plungeddownthebwlchbetweenwalkingandrunning，occasionallystumbling，forwewerenearlyincompletedarkness，andthebwlchwassteepandstony。Wemorethanoncepassedpeoplewhogaveusthen’sda，thehissingnightsalutationoftheWelsh。AtlengthIsawtheAbbeyloomingamidstthedarkness，andJohnJonessaidthat，wewerejustabovethefountain。Wedescended，andputtingmyheaddownIdrankgreedilyofthedwrsantaidd，myguidefollowingmyexample。Wethenproceededonourway，andinabouthalf—an—hourreachedLlangollen。ItookJohnJoneshomewithme。Wehadacheerfulcupoftea。Henriettaplayedontheguitar，andsangaSpanishsong，tothegreatdelightofJohnJones，whoataboutteno’clockdepartedcontentedandhappytohisowndwelling。

CHAPTERXVII

JohnJonesandhisBundle—AGoodLady—TheIrishman’sDingle—

AbGwilymandtheMist—TheKitchen—TheTwoIndividuals—TheHorse—Dealer—Icanmanagehim—TheMistAgain。

THEfollowingdaywasgloomy。IntheeveningJohnJonesmadehisappearancewithabundleunderhisarm，andanumbrellainhishand。

"Sir，"saidhe，"Iamgoingacrossthemountainwithitpieceofweavingwork，forthemanontheotherside，whoemploysme。

Perhapsyouwouldliketogowithme，asyouarefondofwalking。"

"Isuppose，"saidI，"youwishtohavemycompanyforfearofmeetingGwyddeliansonthehill。"

Johnsmiled。

"Well，sir，"saidhe，"ifIdomeetthemIwouldsoonerbewithcompanythanwithout。ButIdareventurebymyself，trustingintheManonHigh，andperhapsIdowrongtoaskyoutogo，asyoumustbetiredwithyourwalkofyesterday。"

"Hardlymorethanyourself，"saidI。"Come；Ishallbegladtogo。

WhatIsaidabouttheGwyddelianswasonlyinjest。"

AswewereabouttodepartJohnsaid：

"Itdoesnotrainatpresent，sir，butIthinkitwill。Youhadbettertakeanumbrella。"

Ididso，andawaywewent。Wepassedoverthebridge，andturningtotherightwentbythebackofthetownthroughafield。AswepassedbythePlasNewyddJohnJonessaid：

"Noonelivestherenow，sir；alldarkanddreary；verydifferentfromthestateofthingswhentheladieslivedthere—allgaythenandcheerful。Iremembertheladies，sir，particularlythelast，wholivedbyherselfafterhercompaniondied。Shewasagoodlady，andverykindtothepoor；whentheycametohergatetheywereneversentawaywithoutsomethingtocheerthem。Shewasagrandladytoo—keptgrandcompany，andusedtobedrawnaboutinacoachbyfourhorses。Butshetooisgone，andthehouseiscoldandempty；nofireinit，sir；nofurniture。Therewasanauctionafterherdeath；andagrandauctionitwasandlastedfourdays。

Oh，whatathrongofpeopletherewas，someofwhomcamefromagreatdistancetobuythecuriousthings，ofwhichtherewereplenty。"