but accomplished and intellectual, and were a strange compound of
wisdom and folly, pride and condescension."

The celebrated Madame de Genlis, in an entertaining miscellany, under the
title of "Souvenirs de Felicie L---," has given the following graphic
narrative of "The Fair Recluses of Llangollen:"--

"During my residence in England (says she), nothing struck me so much
as the delicious cottage of Llangollen, in North Wales. It is not a
little extraordinary, that a circumstance so singular and remarkable
as that connected with this retreat, should hitherto have escaped the
notice of all modern travellers. The manner in which I became
acquainted with it was this:--During our long-stay at Bury, a small
company of five or six persons, including ourselves, met every
evening from seven till half-past ten o'clock. We diverted ourselves
with music and conversation, so that the time past very agreeably.
One night friendship happened to be the subject of conversation, and
I declared that I would with pleasure undertake a long journey to see
two persons who had long been united by the bonds of genuine
friendship. 'Well, Madam,' replied Mr. Stuart (now Lord
Castlereagh), go to Llangollen; you will there see a model of perfect
friendship, which will afford you the more delight, as it is
exhibited by two females who are yet young and charming in every
respect. Would you like to hear the history of Lady Eleanor Butler
and Miss Ponsonby?'--'It would give me the greatest pleasure.'--'I
will relate it to you.' At these words the company drew nearer to
Mr. Stuart, we formed a little circle round him, and after
recollecting himself a few moments, he thus began his narrative:--

"'Lady Eleanor Butler, was born in Dublin. She was left an orphan
while in her cradle; and possessing an ample fortune, together with
an amiable disposition and a beautiful person, her hand was solicited
by persons belonging to the first families in Ireland. At an early
age she manifested great repugnance to the idea of giving herself a
master. This love of independence, which she never dissembled, did
no injury to her reputation; her conduct has always been
irreproachable, and no female is more highly distinguished for
sweetness of temper, modesty, and all the virtues which adorn her
sex. In tender infancy a mutual attac