vant of the house. Here they lived many years, unknown to
any of the neighbouring villagers, otherwise than by the appellation
of the 'Ladies of the Vale.' No persuasions could ever get them from
this retreat. A lady from Ireland told the collector of these
articles the following anecdote relative to these female friends:--An
Irish nobleman (Lord Fingal) happening to be travelling in the
neighbourhood of Llangollen Vale, and having heard much of Lady E.
Butler and Miss Ponsonby, felt a desire to see and converse with
them. But how he could obtain this pleasure (as the ladies seldom or
never saw company, and were fond of a recluse life) was the question.
At length he bethought himself of a method the most likely to answer
the purpose, without the appearance of forwardness or indelicacy. He
sent his servant with the following verbal message:--'Lord Fingal,
travelling in this neighbourhood, sends his respectful compliments to
Miss Butler and Miss Ponsonby, and informs them that he sets out
to-morrow morning for Ireland, and would be happy to be the bearer of
any commands of theirs to that country.' This message had the effect
which his lordship desired. He received, in return, a kind and
friendly invitation to take tea with the ladies, which he, of course,
accepted with much pleasure.--Lord Fingal (the collector's informant
added) was peculiarly charmed with the amiable behaviour of these
interesting enthusiasts of friendship. He found not in them the
gravity, formality, and demureness of virgin recluses, but the ease
of liveliness, and animated conversation of happy, cultivated, and
polished minds."

On June 2, 1829, death severed the faithful friendship which had existed
for so many years between the eccentric residents at Plas Newydd, by
removing from this earthly scene Lady Eleanor Butler, who had attained
the advanced age of 90; and in December 9, 1831, Miss Ponsonby, who was
seldom seen (except by her domestics) after the decease of her attached
companion, was called to her "long home." They are both buried in the
church-yard of Llangollen, where a stone monument is erected to their
memory. On this record of mortality are inserted the following
memorials:--

Sacred to the Memory of
_The Right Honourable_
LADY ELEANOR CHARLOTTE BUTLER,