At the foot of one of the most romantic mountains in North Wales, about
a mile from the coast of Carnarvonshire, stands the little village of
Llanwyllan: there, amongst trees which seemed coeval with the dwelling,
was a very large farm-house, the residence of Farmer Powis. Its high
chimneys, and neatly white-washed walls, rendered it a pleasing object
to those who travelled on the high-road, about a mile off, which led to
the next market-town, if high-road that might be called which merely
served to facilitate the journies of the neighbouring farmers' wives to
market and back again, or those of the curate, who served the churches
in the immediate vicinity. The hand of native taste had removed a few
branches from the immense trees which shaded this rural dwelling, and by
that means afforded to the inhabitants a view of the road, the spire of
the village church, and two or three natural rills of water, which,
falling from the adjacent hills, increased the beauty of the scene. At
this dwelling a traveller arrived on the evening of a day which had been
intensely hot, in the summer of 18--: the dust which covered his shoes,
and almost concealed the colour of his coat, declared him a pedestrian;
probably, therefore, of inferior rank; yet, under the shade which
fatigue had thrown over his features, might be discerned a fine and
interesting countenance; and when at the door of the farm-house, where
Powis sat inhaling the mixed fumes of his evening pipe, and the
fragrance of a fine honeysuckle which entwined around the porch, he
inquired the nearest way to----, the tones of his voice, and the
fineness of his accent, would, to a practised ear, have proclaimed a man
who had mixed with the higher orders of society: to Powis, however, they
conveyed no idea but that the traveller was weary and spoke with
civility; and either would have demanded from him civility, nay,
kindness in return: he rose therefore from his seat, and pushing aside
his little table, made room for the stranger, and requested him to be
seated. The stranger thankfully complied, and taking off his hat, wiped
the dust from his face, and shewed a fine forehead and eyes, whose
brilliant rays seemed more obscured by sorrow than by time, though he
appeared to be about five-and-thirty. While the farmer went into the
house to order some refreshment for his weary guest, the stranger turned
his eyes, and saw with surprise that every thing about him bore the
marks of taste; of taste not indeed highly refined, but simple, natural,
and delicate: every tree round the spot on which he sat was intertwined
with woodbines, clematis, and the wild hop; and the long shoots of all
were carried from tree to tree, forming festoons of exquisite grace and
beauty. At the foot of each tree a space had been cleared and filled
with fragrant plants, whose culture requires little trouble.
Mignionette, roses, pinks, and carnations, perfumed the air, while the
too powerful seringa was only suffered to rise at a considerable
distance, whence its odour came occasionally wafted by the evening
breeze, and (if the expression may be allowed) harmonized well with the
softer scents in the immediate vicinity of the dwelling. A variety of
birds in the adjacent orchard and fields yet poured their mingled songs,
which, as the sun declined gradually, sunk into a softer strain, and
soon all was hushed into repose. In the meantime the table was spread
with a neat cloth, cold meat, brown bread, some fresh-gathered fruit,
cream, ale, and home-made wine; each excellent in its kind.
The farmer had not asked his guest to "_take some refreshment_," the
phrase being probably unknown to him, but with genuine hospitality,
seeing he was fatigued, concluded it would be acceptable, and pressed
him to partake of what was set before them; then calling to the servant
girl, who had spread the table, he said something to her in Welsh, which
she answered in the same language. "That is unlucky," said Powis: "my
daughter, Sir, is absent just now; she is gone to the curate's, the only
house in the neighbourhood she likes to visit at; indeed, she has reason
to like it, for Mrs. Ross has taught Ellen to sew and to read, and be a
tolerable housewife, ever since my poor wife died, which happened when
Ellen was a little child; and she looks upon Mrs. Ross as her mother,
and Joanna Ross, who is nearly her own age, as her sister: they are good
companions for each other, and good girls both, I assure you: however,
we will not wait, for perhaps Ellen may not be at home this half hour or
more." "I fear," said the stranger, "I have induced you to hasten your
meal, and perhaps----" "Not at all, not at all," interrupted Powis.
"Ellen can eat her fruit and milk at any time, or perhaps will partake
of our good parson's supper; never mind her." "You are indeed very kind;
but I fear it grows late. How far have I to walk to the little inn where
you said I might procure a bed?" "About half a mile: but the moon is
rising, and one of my boys shall shew you the way: you may be sure of a
bed; they have two to spare; both clean and decent, though plain and
homely; and we have few travellers in these parts."
Some more conversation passed, and then, the stranger having eaten as
much as he liked, and withstood an earnest solicitation to eat a great
deal more, rose to depart. The boy was called, and the charge given to
him in Welsh to recommend the stranger to the best attentions of
neighbour Jones, at the sign of the Prince of Wales; being explained to
the traveller in English, he took his leave.
In the course of the conversation which passed between them, the
stranger told Powis that he was travelling merely for amusement, and
preferred walking to any other mode of conveyance, as affording him
better opportunities of exploring the romantic scenery with which Wales
abounds; but this the farmer imagined was the language of a man, who,
although he was poor, did not wish to be thought so. He said he was so
much pleased with what he had seen of the country round Llanwyllan, that
it was his intention to remain there a few days, if he found tolerable
accommodations at the inn; and Powis gave him a pressing invitation to
rest whenever he pleased at his house, and to partake of his dinner or
supper; for in that retired spot, where fraud and deceit were almost
unknown, suspicion was equally a stranger, nor arose to check that frank
hospitality man should naturally afford to man. The stranger said he had
left his portmanteau at Carnarvon, and should send a man to fetch it the
next day, if he determined on remaining at the village. Powis mentioned
several points of view which he said were thought fine, though he
professed not to understand the business much.
As the stranger, with his little Welsh guide, passed through the trees
which grew round the house, just where the shadow was deepest, he
discerned the flutter of the white or light-coloured garments of two
girls, and heard youthful voices in chat, and laughing; yet not rudely
or with vulgarity, but with native gaiety and mirth of heart. He could
just distinguish that one of the females was taller than the other, and
heard a soft harmonious voice articulate in good English, and with very
little of the Welsh accent: "Good night, dear Joanna; come to-morrow,
and stay with me all day: good night; love to Charles." The other
replied at a few paces distant: "Ah, poor Charles! how vexed he will be
that he staid so late; well, good night, Ellen."
"These, I suppose," thought the stranger, "are Powis's daughter and her
friend Joanna Ross. I am glad I missed them. I hate country-girls.
Charles I imagine is the lover of one. Happy creatures who can yet fancy
felicity in love, and dream I know not what of constancy and
bliss!--Falsehood, jealousy, revenge!--dreadful, dreadful words! to them
are unknown: but what have I to do with thoughts like these? Why, even
in the stillness of this calm retreat, do such shocking images haunt my
mind?" He hurried on as if fatigue had no longer power over him,
insomuch that his young guide could hardly keep up with him, till he
reached the village inn, where, as Powis had said, a cleanly though
homely bed was soon prepared for him.