the upper part
of their habits, which they always wear, even at a dinner-party, made
precisely like men's coats; and regular black beaver men's hats.
They looked exactly like two respectable superannuated old clergymen;
one the picture of Boruwlaski. I was highly flattered, as they never
were in the theatre before.

"The packets now sail at seven in the morning; all _day_-work instead
of night, which is delightful; and the weather is heavenly. People
are here extremely hospitable; but, of all days in the year, Mr.
Ormsby Gore went to Carnarvon assizes (being high sheriff) the day
before I arrived. He only returned yesterday; and almost forced me
away from the inn. I, however, could not conveniently go there, but
have been to call this morning. Such a place!

"By the by, have you any magnolias in the grounds? if not, get me one
or two. I saw a Portugal laurel, only four years old, full half the
size of that great beauty at Lord Mansfield's; pray have one or two
of them placed by themselves on our new lawn.

"I have to-day received an invitation to call, if I have time as I
pass, at Llangollen, to receive in due form, from the dear old
gentlemen called Lady Butler and Miss Ponsonby, their thanks for the
entertainment I afforded them at the theatre."

"Porkington, Oct. 24th.

"Well, I have seen them, heard them, touched them. The pets, "_the
ladies_," as they are called, dined here yesterday--Lady Eleanor
Butler and Miss Ponsonby, the curiosities of Llangollen mentioned by
Miss Seward in her letters, about the year 1760. I mentioned to you
in a former letter the effect they produced upon me in public, but
never shall I forget the first burst yesterday upon entering the
drawing-room: to find the dear antediluvian darlings, attired for
dinner in the same manified dress, with the Croix de St. Louis, and
other orders, and myriads of large brooches, with stones large enough
for snuff-boxes, stuck in their starched neckcloths! I have not room
to describe their most fascinating persons. I have an invitation
from them, which I much fear I cannot accept. They returned home
last night, fourteen miles, after twelve o'clock. They have not
slept one night from home for above forty years. I longed to put
Lady Eleanor under a bell-g