* * * * *
The exaggerated style of this ornate announcement will, doubtless, excite
a smile, and we suspect that some of our readers, who know the locality,
will laugh outright at the very fanciful stretch of imagination, which
led the worthy auctioneer to speak of the "_Port_ of Llangollen."
The purchasers of the property were Miss Lolly and Miss Andrew, the
present owners and occupiers of Plas Newydd, between whom and the late
"Ladies of Llangollen," an intimate friendship existed.
In August 1832, Mr. Robins offered by public auction the furniture and
fittings of this unique villa; the following is a copy of the
advertisement, and the catalogue of the sale extended over seventy quarto
pages.
* * * * *
"LLANGOLLEN, NORTH WALES.
MR. GEORGE ROBINS
Has the pleasure most respectfully to announce to the Nobility, Lovers of
the Fine Arts, and those who delight in objects of interest, and indeed
to the Public generally, that having sold "PLAS NEWYDD," he is instructed
by the Executors of
THE LADY ELEANOR BUTLER
AND
MISS PONSONBY,
To offer for UNRESERVED COMPETITION, at the Domicile so long hallowed as
the abode of friendship,
On MONDAY, the 13th day of AUGUST, 1832,
And many succeeding Days, at Eleven for Twelve
o'clock precisely, on each day,
THE FOLLOWING
INTERESTING AND VALUABLE PROPERTY,
APPERTAINING TO THE RESIDENCE,
And which for extent, variety and novelty, forms a most brilliant
Assemblage, certainly unexampled in the Annals of Auctions; it having
been congregated by those highly talented Ladies, the fair "MISTRESSES OF
PLAS NEWYDD," during a series of 50 years, aided by their joint taste,
and at considerable expense, including the appropriate