The following extract from an article on "Angling in North Wales," which
appeared in _The Field_ newspaper of October 22nd, contains a specimen of
an entirely original kind of testimonial, which seems to me worthy of
preservation in "N. & Q.'s" museum of curiosities:
"Beguiled by the treacherous representations of a certain Mr. Williams,
and the high character of his donkeys, I undertook the ascent of Dunas
Bran, and poked about among the ruins of Crow Castle on its summit,
where I found nothing of any consequence, except an appetite for my
dinner. The printed paper which Mr. Williams hands about, deploring the
loss of his 'character,' and testifying to the wonderful superiority of
all his animals, is rather amusing. Mr. Williams evidently never had a
donkey 'what wouldn't go.' This paper commences with an affidavit from
certain of the householders and _literati_ of Llangollen, that he 'had
received numerous testimonials, all of which we are sorry to say _has_
been lost.' Those preserved, however, and immortalised in print,
suffice to establish Mr. Williams' reputation:
"Mr. W. and his son and daughter bear testimony to the civility and
attention of Mr. Williams _and_ his donkeys.
"S. P., Esquire, attended at the Haud Hotel, 24th June, 1851, and
engaged four of Mr. Williams' donkeys for the use of a party of ladies,
who expressed themselves highly gratified. The animals were remarkably
tractable, and void of stupidity.
"Mrs. D. A. B. visited Valle Crucis Abbey on the back of Mr. Williams'
ass, and is well satisfied.
"Sept. 4. 1852.
This is to certify that
LADY MARSHALL
Is to Donkeys very partial,
And no postilion in a car, shall
Ever more her drive
O'er all the stones;
On 'Jenny Jones'
She'll ride while she's alive!"
Those who have visited Malvern will remember the vast quantity of donkeys
who rejoice in the cognomen of "The Royal Moses." Their history is as
follows:--When the late Queen Dowager was at Malvern, she frequently
ascended the hills on donkey-back; and on all such occasions patronised a
poor old woman, whose stud had been reduced, by a succession of
misfortunes, to a solitary donkey, who answered to the name of "Moses." At
the close of her visit, her majesty, with that kindness of heart which was
such a distinguishing trait in her character, not only liberally rewarded
the poor old woman, but asked her if there was anything that she could do
for her which would be likely to bring back her former prosperity. The old
woman turned the matter over in her mind, and then said, "Please your
majesty to give a name to my donkey." This her Majesty did. "Moses" became
"the Royal Moses;" every body wanted to ride him; the old woman's custom
increased, and when the favoured animal died (for he is dead) he left
behind him a numerous family, all of whom called after their father, "the
Royal Moses."