The beauty and elegance abounding in this place must be seen to be justly
appreciated; and the urbanity and gentlemanly condescension of the noble
owner, in affording me the means of gratifying my inquiries and
curiosity, will never be effaced from my memory.
In the adjoining shrubbery is an ornamental building called the china
room, fitted up (it would be superfluous to say elegantly) by Lady
Dungannon. Within the room are deposited the most valuable and beautiful
specimens of old china. The walls are covered with plates, dishes, &c.
in many various figures and forms. There is a fire-place in the room,
and a small portable collection of books for the amusement of a passing
hour. In a room adjoining is an assemblage of cream-coloured pottery, in
its greatest variety; and behind all, is a cool, well arranged dairy.
To some, and to ladies in particular, the examination of the china room
will afford the highest gratification. For myself, I must confess, the
exquisite specimens of art I had just been viewing in the mansion so
entirely engrossed my mind, that I could not look on these later morceaus
with the attention they merited.
I have before stated that the river Ceiriog runs through part of the
domain; and it is made to contribute much to its beauty. It passes
through a deep and thickly wooded dingle, and a rural and shady walk
winds along the glen to another entrance lodge, about half a mile from
Chirk. The way is enlivened by game springing before you at every step,
and rousing the attention from that soothing melancholy which the
umbrageous solemnity of the walk is calculated to inspire.
There are four lodges, or gates of entrance into the domain, inhabited by
some of his Lordship’s dependents. They are all built in an ornamental
and romantic style; but about them, though so varied in design, there are
no disjointed or distorted features to offend the most fastidious.
“And that which all fair work doth much aggrace,
The art which wrought it all appeareth in no place.”