Itwasgenerallysaidthattheprisonerwasdisorderedinhismind；
　　Iheldmytongue，butjudgingfromhislookandmannerIsawnoreasontosupposethathewasanymoreoutofhissensesthanI
　　myself，oranypersonpresent，andIhadnodoubtthatwhatinducedhimtocommittheactwasrageatbeinglookeddownuponbyaquondamacquaintance，whowasrisingalittleintheworld，exacerbatedbythereflectionthatthedisdainfulquondamacquaintancewasoneoftheSaxonrace，againstwhicheveryWelshmanentertainsagrudgemoreorlessvirulent，which，thoughofcourse，veryunchristianlike，isreally，brotherEnglishman，aftertheaffairofthelongknives，andtwoorthreeotheractionsofasomewhatsimilarcharacterofournobleAnglo—Saxonprogenitors，withwhichallWelshmenareperfectlywellacquainted，notverymuchtobewonderedat。
　　CHAPTERLIII
　　TheDylluan—TheOldestCreatures。
　　MUCHrainfellaboutthemiddleofthemonth；intheintervalsoftheshowersIoccasionallywalkedbythebanksoftheriverwhichspeedilybecamemuchswollen；itwasquiteterriblebothtothesightandearnearthe"Robber’sLeap；"therewerebreakersabovethehigherstonesatleastfivefeethighandaroararoundalmostsufficient"toscareahundredmen。"ThepoolofLingowasstrangelyaltered；itwasnolongerthequietpoolwhichitwasinsummer，verifyingthewordsoftheoldWelshpoetthatthedeepestpooloftheriverisalwaysthestillestinthesummerandofthesoftestsound，butahowlingturbidgulf，inwhichbranchesoftrees，deadanimalsandrubbishwerewhirlingaboutinthewildestconfusion。Thenightsweregenerallylessrainythanthedays，andsometimesbythepallidglimmerofthemoonIwouldtakeastrollalongsomefavouritepathorroad。OnenightasIwaswanderingslowlyalongthepathleadingthroughthegrovesofPenyCoedI
　　wasstartledbyanunearthlycry—itwastheshoutofthedylluanorowl，asitflittedoverthetopsofthetreesonitsnocturnalbusiness。
　　Oh，thatcryofthedylluan！whatastrangewildcryitis；howunlikeanyothersoundinnature！acrywhichnocombinationofletterscangivetheslightestideaof。WhatresemblancedoesShakespear’sto—whit—to—whoobeartothecryoftheowl？nonewhatever；thosewhohearitforthefirsttimeneverknowwhatitis，howeveraccustomedtotalkofthecryoftheowlandto—whit—
　　to—whoo。AmanmightbewanderingthroughawoodwithShakespear’sowl—chorusinhismouth，butwerehethentohearforthefirsttimetherealshoutoftheowlhewouldassuredlystopshortandwonderwhencethatunearthlycrycouldproceed。
　　Yetnodoubtthatstrangecryisafittingcryfortheowl，thestrangestinitshabitsandlookofallbirds，thebirdofwhombyallnationsthestrangesttalesaretold。Oh，whatstrangetalesaretoldoftheowl，especiallyinconnectionwithitslong—
　　lifedness；butofallthestrangewildtalesconnectedwiththeageoftheowl，strangestofallistheoldWelshtale。WhenIheardtheowl’scryinthegrovesofPenyCoedthattalerushedintomymind。IhadhearditfromthesingulargroomwhohadtaughtmetogabbleWelshinmyboyhood，andhadsubsequentlyreaditinanoldtatteredWelshstory—book，whichbychancefellintomyhands。Thereaderwillperhapsbeobligedbymyrelatingit。
　　"Theeagleofthealdergrove，afterbeinglongmarriedandhavinghadmanychildrenbyhismate，lostherbydeath，andbecameawidower。AftersometimehetookitintohisheadtomarrytheowloftheCowlydCoomb；butfearingheshouldhaveissuebyher，andbythatmeanssullyhislineage，hewentfirstofalltotheoldestcreaturesintheworldinordertoobtaininformationaboutherage。FirsthewenttothestagofFerny—sideBrae，whomhefoundsittingbytheoldstumpofanoak，andinquiredtheageoftheowl。Thestagsaid：’Ihaveseenthisoakanacornwhichisnowlyingonthegroundwithouteitherleavesorbark：nothingintheworldworeitupbutmyrubbingmyselfagainstitonceadaywhenI
　　gotup，soIhaveseenavastnumberofyears，butIassureyouthatIhaveneverseentheowlolderoryoungerthansheisto—day。
　　However，thereisoneolderthanmyself，andthatisthesalmon—
　　troutofGlynLlifon。’Tohimwenttheeagleandaskedhimtheageoftheowlandgotforanswer：’Ihaveayearovermyheadforeverygemonmyskinandforeveryegginmyroe，yethaveIalwaysseentheowllookthesame；butthereisoneolderthanmyself，andthatistheouselofCilgwry。’AwaywenttheeagletoCilgwry，andfoundtheouselstandinguponalittlerock，andaskedhimtheageoftheowl。Quoththeousel：’Youseethattherockbelowmeisnotlargerthanamancancarryinoneofhishands：Ihaveseenitsolargethatitwouldhavetakenahundredoxentodragit，andithasneverbeenwornsavebymydryingmybeakuponitonceeverynight，andbymystrikingthetipofmywingagainstitinrisinginthemorning，yetneverhaveIknowntheowlolderoryoungerthansheisto—day。However，thereisoneolderthanI，andthatisthetoadofCorsFochnod；andunlessheknowsheragenooneknowsit。’Tohimwenttheeagleandaskedtheageoftheowl，andthetoadreplied：’IhavenevereatenanythingsavewhatIhavesuckedfromtheearth，andhavenevereatenhalfmyfillinallthedaysofmylife；butdoyouseethosetwogreathillsbesidethecross？Ihaveseentheplacewheretheystandlevelground，andnothingproducedthoseheapssavewhatIdischargedfrommybody，whohaveevereatensoverylittle—yetneverhaveIknowntheowlanythingelsebutanoldhagwhocriedToo—hoo—hoo，andscaredchildrenwithhervoiceevenasshedoesatpresent。’SotheeagleofGwernabwy；thestagofFerny—sideBrae；thesalmontroutofGlynLlifon；theouselofCilgwry；thetoadofCorsFochnod，andtheowlofCoombCowlydaretheoldestcreaturesintheworld；theoldestofthemallbeingtheowl。"
　　CHAPTERLIV
　　Chirk—TheMiddletonFamily—CastellyWaen—ThePark—TheCourtYard—TheYoungHousekeeper—ThePortraits—MelinyCastell—HumbleMeal—FineChestsfortheDead—HalesandHercules。
　　THEweatherhavingbecomefine，myselfandfamilydeterminedtogoandseeChirkCastle，amansionancientandbeautiful，andaboundingwithallkindsofagreeableandromanticassociations。
　　ItwasfoundedaboutthebeginningofthefifteenthcenturybyaStJohn，LordofBletsa，fromadescendantofwhomitwaspurchasedintheyear1615bySirThomasMiddleton，thescionofanancientWelshfamilywho，followingcommerce，acquiredavastfortune，andwasLordMayorofLondon。Inthetimeofthegreatcivilwarithoistedthebanneroftheking，andunderSirThomas，thesonoftheLordMayor，madeabravedefenceagainstLambert，theParliamentaryGeneral，thougheventuallycompelledtosurrender。
　　ItwasheldsuccessivelybyfourSirThomasMiddletons，andifitacquiredawar—likecelebrityunderthesecond，itobtainedapeculiarlyhospitableoneunderthefourth，whosedaughter，thefruitofasecondmarriage，becameCountessofWarwickandeventuallythewifeofthepoetandmoralistAddison。InhistimethehospitalityofChirkbecamethethemeofmanyabard，particularlyofHuwMorris，who，inoneofhissongs，hasgonesofarastosaythatwerethehillCefnUchafturnedintobeefandbread，andtherillCeiriogintobeerorwine，theywouldbeconsumedinhalfayearbythehospitalityofChirk。ThoughnolongerinthehandsofoneofthenameofMiddleton，ChirkCastleisstillpossessedbyoneoftheblood，themotherofthepresentproprietorbeingtheeldestofthreesisters，linealdescendantsoftheLordMayor，betweenwhomindefaultofanheirmalethewidepossessionsoftheMiddletonfamilyweredivided。Thisgentleman，whobearsthenameofBiddulph，isLordLieutenantofthecountyofDenbigh，andnotwithstandinghiswar—breathingname，whichisGothic，andsignifiesWolfofBattle，isapersonofhighlyamiabledisposition，andonewhotakesgreatinterestinthepropagationoftheGospelofpeaceandlove。
　　Toviewthisplace，which，thoughinEnglishcalledChirkCastle，isstyledinWelshCastellyWaen，ortheCastleoftheMeadow，westartedonfootaboutteno’clockofafinebrightmorning，attendedbyJohnJones。TherearetworoadsfromLlangollentoChirk，onetheloworpostroad，andtheotherleadingovertheBerwyn。Wechosethelatter。WepassedbytheYewCottage，whichIhavedescribedonaformeroccasion，andbegantoascendthemountain，makingtowardsitsnorth—easterncorner。Theroadatfirstwaseasyenough，buthigherupbecameverysteep，andsomewhatappalling，beingcutoutofthesideofthehillwhichshelvesprecipitouslydowntowardsthevalleyoftheDee。Nearthetopofthemountainwerethreeloftybeech—treesgrowingontheveryvergeoftheprecipice。Heretheroadforabouttwentyyardsisfencedonitsdangeroussidebyawall，partsofwhicharebuiltbetweenthestemsofthetrees。Justbeyondthewallatrulynobleprospectpresenteditselftooureyes。Tothenorthwereboldhills，theirsidesandskirtsadornedwithnumerouswoodsandwhitefarm—houses；athousandfeetbelowuswastheDeeanditswondrousPontyCysultau。JohnJonessaidthatifcertainmistsdidnotintervenewemightdescry"theseaofLiverpool"；andperhapstheonlythingwantingtomaketheprospectcomplete，wasthatseaofLiverpool。Wewere，however，quitesatisfiedwithwhatwesaw，andturningroundthecornerofthehill，reacheditstop，whereforaconsiderabledistancethereislevelground，andwhere，thoughatagreataltitude，wefoundourselvesinafairandfertileregion，andamidstasceneofbusyrurallife。Wesawfieldsandinclosures，andhereandtherecorn—stacks，somemade，andothersnotyetcompleted，aboutwhichpeoplewereemployed，andwaggonsandhorsesmoving。Passingoverthetopofthehill，webegantodescendthesouthernside，whichwasfarlesssteepthantheonewehadlatelysurmounted。Afteralittleway，theroaddescendedthroughawood，whichJohnJonestolduswasthebeginningof"theParkofBiddulph。"
　　"Thereisplentyofgameinthiswood，"saidhe；"pheasantcocksandpheasanthens，tosaynothingofharesandconeys；andinthemidstofitthereisaspacesownwithaparticularkindofcornforthesupportofthepheasanthensandpheasantcocks，whichintheshooting—seasonaffordpleasantsportforBiddulphandhisfriends。"
　　Nearthefootofthedescent，justwheretheroadmadeaturntotheeast，wepassedbyabuildingwhichstoodamidsttrees，withapondandbarnsnearit。
　　"This，"saidJohnJones，"isthehousewherethebailiffliveswhofarmsandbuysandsellsforBiddulph，andfattensthebeevesandswine，andthegeese，ducks，andotherpoultrywhichBiddulphconsumesathistable。"
　　Thescenerywasnowverylovely，consistingofamixtureofhillanddale，openspaceandforest，infactthebestkindofparkscenery。WecaughtaglimpseofalakeinwhichJohnJonessaidthereweregenerallyplentyofswans，andpresentlysawthecastle，whichstandsonagreengrassyslope，fromwhichitderivesitsWelshnameofCastellyWaen；gwaenintheCumrianlanguagesignifyingameadoworuninclosedplace。Itfrontsthewest，thedirectionfromwhichwewerecoming；oneachsideitshowsfivetowers，ofwhichthemiddlemost，whichprotrudesbeyondtherest，andatthebottomofwhichisthegrandgate，isbyfarthebulkiest。Anobleedificeitlooked，andtomyeyeborenoslightresemblancetoWindsorCastle。
　　Seeingakindofranger，weinquiredofhimwhatitwasnecessaryforustodo，andbyhisdirectionproceededtothesouthernsideofthecastle，andrungthebellatasmallgate。Thesouthernsidehadafarmoreantiqueappearancethanthewestern；hugetowerswithsmallwindows，andpartlycoveredwithivy，frowneddownuponus。Aservantmakinghisappearance，Iinquiredwhetherwecouldseethehouse；hesaidwecould，andthatthehousekeeperwouldshowittousinalittletimebutthatatpresentshewasengaged。Weenteredalargequadrangularcourt：ontheleft—handsidewasadoorandstaircaseleadingintotheinteriorofthebuilding，andfartheronwasagateway，whichwasnodoubttheprincipalentrancefromthepark。Ontheeasternsideofthespaciouscourtwasakennel，chainedtowhichwasanenormousdog，partlyofthebloodhound，partlyofthemastiffspecies，whooccasionallyutteredadeepmagnificentbay。Asthesunwashot，wetookrefugefromitunderthegateway，thegateofwhich，atthefurtherend，towardsthepark，wasclosed。Heremywifeanddaughtersatdownonasmallbrasscannon，seeminglyasix—pounder，whichstoodonaverydilapidatedcarriage；fromtheappearanceofthegun，whichwasofanancientform，andverymuchbattered，andthatofthecarriage，Ihadlittledoubtthatbothhadbeeninthecastleatthetimeofthesiege。Asmytwolovedonessat，I
　　walkedupanddown，recallingtomymindallIhadheardandreadinconnectionwiththiscastle。IthoughtofitsgallantdefenceagainstthemenofOliver；IthoughtofitsroaringhospitalityinthetimeofthefourthSirThomas；andIthoughtofthemanybeautieswhohadbeenborninitschambers，haddancedinitshalls，hadtrippedacrossitscourt，andhadsubsequentlygivenheirstoillustriousfamilies。
　　Atlastweweretoldthatshehousekeeperwaswaitingforus。Thehousekeeper，whowasagenteel，good—lookingyoungwoman，welcomedusatthedoorwhichledintotheinteriorofthehouse。Afterwehadwrittenournames，sheshowedusintoalargeroomorhallontheright—handsideonthegroundfloor，whereweresomehelmetsandancienthalberts，andalsosomepicturesofgreatpersonages。
　　Thefloorwasofoak，andsopolishedandslippery，thatwalkinguponitwasattendedwithsomedanger。WishingthatJohnJones，ourfaithfulattendant，whoremainedtimidlyatthedoorway，shouldparticipatewithusinthewonderfulsightswewereabouttosee，I
　　inquiredofthehousekeeperwhetherhemightcomewithus。Sherepliedwithasmilethatitwasnotthecustomtoadmitguidesintotheapartments，butthathemightcome，providedhechosetotakeoffhisshoes；adding，thatthereasonshewishedhimtotakeoffhisshoeswas，anapprehensionthatifhekeptthemonhewouldinjurethefloorswiththeirroughnails。ShethenwenttoJohnJones，andtoldhiminEnglishthathemightattendus，providedhetookoffhisshoes；poorJohn，however，onlysmiledandsaid"DimSaesneg！"
　　"Youmustspeaktohiminyournativelanguage，"saidI，"providedyouwishhimtounderstandyou—hehasnoEnglish。"
　　"Iamspeakingtohiminmynativelanguage，"saidtheyounghousekeeper，withanothersmile—"andifhehasnoEnglish，IhavenoWelsh。"
　　"ThenyouareEnglish？"saidI。
　　"Yes，"shereplied，"anativeofLondon。"
　　"Dearme，"saidI。"Well，it’snobadthingtobeEnglishafterall；andasfornotspeakingWelsh，therearemanyinWaleswhowouldbegladtohavemuchlessWelshthantheyhave。"IthentoldJohnJonestheconditiononwhichhemightattendus，whereuponhetookoffhisshoeswithgreatgleeandattendedus，holdingtheminhishand。
　　Wepresentlywentupstairs，towhatthehousekeepertolduswastheprincipaldrawing—room，andanobleroomitwas，hungroundwiththeportraitsofkingsandqueens，andthemightyoftheearth。
　　Here，oncanvas，wasnobleMary，thewifeofWilliamofOrange，andherconsortbyherside，whosepartlikeatruewifeshealwaystook。HerewaswretchedMaryofScotland，themurderessofherownlord。HerewerethetwoCharlesesandboththeDukesofOrmond—
　　thegreatDukewhofoughtstoutlyinIrelandagainstPapistandRoundhead；andthePretender’sDukewhotriedtostabhisnativeland，anddiedaforeigncolonel。Andhere，amongstotherdaughtersofthehouse，wastheveryprouddaughterofthehouse，theWarwickDowagerwhomarriedtheSpectator，andledhimthelifeofadog。Shelookedhaughtyandcold，andnotparticularlyhandsome；butIcouldnothelpgazingwithacertaindegreeofinterestandrespectonthecountenanceofthevixen，whoservedoutthegentilityworshipperinsuchprimestyle。Manyweretheroomswhichweentered，ofwhichIshallsaynothing，savethattheywerenobleinsizeandrichinobjectsofinterest。Atlastwecametowhatwascalledthepicturegallery。Itwasalongpanelledroom，extendingnearlythewholelengthofthenorthernside。Thefirstthingwhichstruckusonenteringwasthehugeskinofalionstretchedoutuponthefloor；thehead，however，whichwastowardsthedoor，wasstuffed，andwithitsmonstrousteethlookedsoformidableandlife—like，thatwewerealmostafraidtotouchit。Againsteverypanelwasaportrait；amongstotherswasthatofSirThomasMiddleton，thestoutgovernorofthecastle，duringthetimeofthesiege。Neartoitwastheportraitofhisrib，DameMiddleton。FartherdownonthesamesideweretwoportraitsofNellGwynn；theonepaintedwhenshewasagirl；theotherwhenshehadattainedamorematureage。TheywerebothbyLely，theApellesoftheCourtofwantonCharles。OntheothersidewasoneoftheDukeofGloucester，thesonofQueenAnne，who，hadhelived，wouldhavekepttheGeorgesfromthethrone。Inthisgalleryonthesouthernsidewasacabinetofebonyandsilver，presentedbyCharlestheSecondtothebravewarriorSirThomas，andwhich，accordingtotradition，costseventhousandpounds。
　　Thisroom，whichwasperhapsthemostmagnificentinthecastle，wasthelastwevisited。ThecandleofGod，whilstwewanderedthroughthesemagnificenthalls，wasflaminginthefirmament，anditsrays，penetratingthroughthelongnarrowwindows，showedthemoff，andallthegorgeousthingswhichtheycontainedtogreatadvantage。Whenweleftthecastleweallsaid，notexceptingJohnJones，thatwehadneverseeninourlivesanythingmoreprincelyanddelightfulthantheinterior。
　　Afteralittletime，mywifeanddaughtercomplainingofbeingratherfaint，IaskedJohnJoneswhethertherewasaninnintheneighbourhoodwheresomerefreshmentcouldbeprocured。Hesaidtherewas，andthathewouldconductustoit。Wedirectedourcoursetowardstheeast，rousingsuccessively，andsettinga—
　　scampering，threelargeherdsofdeer—thecommononeswereyellowandofnoparticularsize—butattheheadofeachherdweobservedabigoldblackfellowwithimmenseantlers；oneofthesewasparticularlylarge，indeedashugeasabull。Wesooncametothevergeofasteepdescent，downwhichwewent，notwithoutsomeriskoffalling。Atlastwecametoagate；itwaslocked；
　　however，onJohnJonesshouting，anelderlymanwithhisrighthandbandaged，cameandopenedit。Iaskedhimwhatwasthematterwithhishand，andhetoldmethathehadlatelylostthreefingerswhilstworkingatasaw—millupatthecastle。Onmyinquiringabouttheinnhesaidhewasthemasterofit，andledthewaytoalongneatlowhouse，nearlyoppositetoalittlebridgeoverabrook，whichrandownthevalleytowardsthenorth。Iorderedsomealeandbread—and—butter，andwhilstourrepastwasbeinggotreadyJohnJonesandIwenttothebridge。
　　"Thisbridge，sir，"saidJohn，"iscalledPontyVelinCastell，thebridgeoftheCastleMill；theinnwasformerlythemillofthecastle，andisstillcalledMelinyCastell。AssoonasyouareoverthisbridgeyouareinshireAmwythig，whichtheSaxonscallShropshire。AlittlewayuponyonhillisClawddOffaorOffa’sdyke，builtofoldbytheBreninOffainordertokeepuspoorWelshwithinourbounds。"
　　AswestoodonthebridgeIinquiredofJonesthenameofthebrookwhichwasrunningmerrilybeneathit。
　　"TheCeiriog，sir，"saidJohn，"thesameriverthatwesawatPontyMeibion。"
　　"Theriver，"saidI，"whichHuwMorrislovedsowell，whosepraiseshehassung，andwhichhehasintroducedalongwithCefnUchafinastanzainwhichhedescribesthehospitalityofChirkCastleinhisday，andwhichrunsthus：
　　"Pebyddai’rCefnUcha，Yngigacynfara，ACheiriogfawryma’nfiramlbobtro，Rhyryfeddfaeiddyn’
　　Barhauhannerblwyddyn，Iwyrbobyngan—nynarginio。"
　　"Agoodpenillthat，sir，"saidJohnJones。"Pitythatthehallsofgreatpeoplenolongerflowwithriversofbeer，norhavemountainsofbreadandbeefforallcomers。"
　　"Nopityatall，"saidI；"thingsarebetterastheyare。Thosemountainsofbreadandbeef，andthoseriversofalemerelyencouragedvassalage，fawningandidleness；bettertopayforone’sdinnerproudlyandindependentlyatone’sinn，thantogoandcringeforitatagreatman’stable。"
　　Wecrossedthebridge，walkedalittlewayupthehillwhichwasbeautifullywooded，andthenretracedourstepstothelittleinn，whereIfoundmywifeanddaughterwaitingforus，andveryhungry。
　　Wesatdown，JohnJoneswithus，andproceededtodespatchourbread—and—butterandale。Thebread—and—butterweregoodenough，butthealepoorish。Oh，foranActofParliamenttoforcepeopletobrewgoodale！Afterfinishingourhumblemeal，wegotupandhavingpaidourreckoningwentbackintothepark，thegateofwhichthelandlordagainunlockedforus。
　　Westrolledtowardsthenorthalongthebaseofthehill。Theimaginationofmancanscarcelyconceiveascenemorebeautifulthantheonewhichwewerenowenjoying。Hugeoaksstuddedthelowersideofthehill，towardsthetopwasabeltofforest，abovewhichrosetheeasternwallsofthecastle；thewholeforest，castleandthegreenbosomofthehillglorifiedbythelustreofthesun。Asweproceededweagainrousedthedeer，andagainsawthreeoldblackfellows，evidentlythepatriarchsoftheherds，withtheirwhiteenormoushorns；withtheseancientgentlefolksI
　　verymuchwishedtomakeacquaintance，andtriedtogetnearthem，butno！theywouldsuffernosuchthing；offtheyglided，theirwhiteantlers，likethebarkedtopboughsofoldpollards，glancinginthesunshine，thesmallerdapplecreaturesfollowingthemboundingandfrisking。Wehadagaingotverynearthecastle，whenJohnJonestoldmethatifwewouldfollowhimhewouldshowussomethingveryremarkable；Iaskedhimwhatitwas。
　　"LlunCawr，"hereplied。"Thefigureofagiant。"
　　"Whatgiant？"saidI。
　　Butonthispointhecouldgivemenoinformation。Itoldmywifeanddaughterwhathehadsaid，andfindingthattheywishedtoseethefigure，IbadeJohnJonesleadustoit。Heledusdownanavenuejustbelowtheeasternsideofthecastle；nobleoaksandothertreescomposedit，someofthemprobablynearahundredfeethigh；JohnJonesobservingmelookingatthemwithadmiration，said：
　　"Theywouldmakefinechestsforthedead，sir。"
　　Whatanobservation！howcalculated，amidstthemostboundingjoyandbliss，toremindmanofhisdoom！AmomentbeforeIhadfeltquitehappy，butnowIfeltsadandmournful。Ilookedatmywifeanddaughter，whoweregazingadmiringlyonthebeauteousscenesaroundthem，andrememberedthatinafewshortyearsatmostweshouldallthreebelaidinthecoldnarrowhouseformedoffourelmoroakenboards，ouronlygarmenttheflannelshroud，thecolddampearthaboveus，insteadofthebrightglorioussky。Oh，howsadandmournfulIbecame！Isooncomfortedmyself，however，byreflectingthatsuchisthewillofHeaven，andthatHeavenisgood。
　　AfterwehaddescendedtheavenuesomewayJohnJonesbegantolookabouthim，andgettingonthebankontheleftsidedisappeared。
　　Wewenton，andinalittletimesawhimagainbeckoningtoussomewayfartherdown，butstillonthebank。Whenwedrewnightohimhebadeusgetonthebank；wedidsoandfollowedhimsomeway，midstfurzeandlyng。Allofasuddenheexclaimed，"Thereitis！"
　　Welookedandsawalargefigurestandingonapedestal。OngoinguptoitwefoundittobeaHerculesleaningonhisclub，indeedacopyoftheFarneseHercules，aswegatheredfromaninscriptioninLatinpartlydefaced。Wefeltratherdisappointed，asweexpectedthatitwouldhaveturnedouttobethefigureofsomehugeWelshchampionofold。We，however，saidnothingtoourguide。JohnJones，inorderthatwemightproperlyappreciatethesizeofthestatuebycontrastingitwithhisownbody，gotuponthepedestalandstoodupbesidethefigure，totheelbowofwhichhisheadlittlemorethanreached。
　　Itoldhimthatinmycountry，theeasternpartofLloegr，Ihadseenamanquiteastallasthestatue。
　　"Indeed，sir，"saidhe；"whoisit？"
　　"HalestheNorfolkgiant，"Ireplied，"whohasasisterseveninchesshorterthanhimself，whoisyetseveninchestallerthananymaninthecountywhenherbrotherisoutofit。"
　　WhenJohnJonesgotdownheaskedmewhothemanwaswhomthestatuewasintendedtorepresent。
　　"Erchwl，"Ireplied，"amightymanofold，whowithclubclearedthecountryofthieves，serpents，andmonsters。"
　　InowproposedthatweshouldreturntoLlangollen，whereuponweretracedoursteps，andhadnearlyreachedthefarm—houseofthecastlewhenJohnJonessaidthatwehadbetterreturnbythelowroad，bydoingwhichweshouldseethecastle—lodgeandalsoitsgatewhichwasconsideredoneofthewondersofWales。Wefollowedhisadviceandpassingbythefrontofthecastlenorthwardssooncametothelodge。Thelodgehadnothingremarkableinitsappearance，butthegatewhichwasofironwastrulymagnificent。
　　OnthetopweretwofiguresofwolveswhichJohnJonessupposedtobethoseoffoxes。ThewolfofChirkisnotintendedtobeexpressiveofthenorthernnameofitsproprietor，butasthearmorialbearingofhisfamilybythematernalside，andoriginatedinoneRyred，surnamedBlaiddorWolffromhisferocityinwar，fromwhomthefamily，whichonlyassumedthenameofMiddletoninthebeginningofthethirteenthcentury，ontheoccasionofitsrepresentativemarryingarichShropshireheiressofthatname，tracesdescent。
　　ThewolfofChirkisaCambriannotaGothicwolf，andthough"awolfofbattle，"isthewolfnotofBiddulphbutofRyred。
　　CHAPTERLV
　　AVisitor—ApprenticeshiptotheLaw—CrochDaranau—LopedeVega—NoLifeliketheTraveller’s。
　　ONEmorningasIsataloneagentlemanwasannounced。OnhisentranceIrecognisedinhimthemagistrate’sclerk，owingtowhosegoodword，asitappearedtome，Ihadbeenpermittedtoremainduringtheexaminationintotheaffairofthewoundedbutcher。Hewasastout，strong—mademan，somewhatunderthemiddleheight，witharuddyface，andveryclear，greyeyes。Ihandedhimachair，whichhetook，andsaidthathisnamewasR—，andthathehadtakenthelibertyofcalling，ashehadagreatdesiretobeacquaintedwithme。OnmyaskinghimhisreasonforthatdesirehetoldmethatitproceededfromhishavingreadabookofmineaboutSpain，whichhadmuchinterestedhim。
　　"Good，"saidI，"youcan’tgiveanauthorabetterreasonforcomingtoseehimthanbeingpleasedwithhisbook。Iassureyouthatyouaremostwelcome。"
　　AfteralittlegeneraldiscourseIsaidthatIpresumedhewasinthelaw。
　　"Yes，"saidhe，"Iamamemberofthatmuch—abusedprofession。"
　　"Andunjustlyabused，"saidI；"itisaprofessionwhichaboundswithhonourablemen，andinwhichIbelievetherearefewerscampsthaninanyother。ThemosthonourablemenIhaveeverknownhavebeenlawyers；theyweremenwhosewordwastheirbond，andwhowouldhavepreferredruintobreakingit。Therewasmyoldmaster，inparticular，whowouldhavediedsoonerthanbrokenhisword。