83. describe in my Tour in Scotland, second edition, volume ii. P. As to our eftate, I think the rent-roll in amount to about 300l. a year, confisting of a little money, and rents in kind, and fervices. the year 1572 might BEFORE I quit the old houfe, let me fay, that the best view of the chaotic additions backward is from the garden, from a very handsome fummer-houfe, built by the first baronet, as appears by his arms quartered with thofe of his wife, Bulkeley of Baron Hill. From this fpot is feen great part of the buildings, and the appurtenances to the old houfe, one tacked to the other, as the increase or the wants of the family made neceffary. In the year 1631, Sir Roger Moftyn, knight, gave to the house a very handfome addition; a fquare mafs, confifting of fix bedchambers, a very large eating-room, and a dining-room or drawing-room above, with a large bow-window in the middle of each. In that below are the arms of Gwynne and D'Arcy, well emblazoned on glats. Thefe are complimentary to two great alliances; the one of Sir Roger himself with Mary, daughter of the famous Sir John Wynne, of Gwydir; the other out of respect to the alliance with Bridget Savage, daughter of D'Arcie Savage, efq. of Leighton, in Cheshire, by whom the family acquired the great eftates they poffefs in that county. From the principal gate of the park they have the pleafing view of thofe of Beeston, and thofe above Parkgate. OPPOSITE to this window is a fire-place fuitable to the room. Above are the arms of the numerous alliances of the house, beautifully done in ftucco, dated 1632. Conjoined with them are the arms of Mary Wynne, wife of Sir Roger. Thofe of Gwydir quarterly with thofe of Gryffydd ap Conan. In the first of the Moftyn fide are thofe of Tudor Trevor, the stock of the house. The next are thofe of Llwdocca ap Caradoc. 3dly, the arms of Elidir ap Rhys Sais. 4thly, thofe of Jeftyn ap Gurgant. 5thly, the bearing of Brochwel Yfcythrog. 6thly, the arms of Edwyn. 7thly, thofe of Tudor ap Gronw. 8thly, of Ithel Vychan. 9thly, are the arms of Madoc Gloddaeth. 10thly, are thofe of Sir Gryffydd Lloyd. The 11th, of Goodman; and 12thly, and lastly, the arms of Shalmesborow, which feem an appurtenance only to thofe of Goodman. This is a mere focal ornament, an abridgement of the thirty-two coats which graced the pedegree of the house in the year 1663. Two Termini fupport the entablature of this genealogical table. The other ornaments are elegant ; but unfortunately, as if to dafh the mirth of the company, the architect has added, in full view, the monumental cross-bones and bared skull. Ar the upper end of the room are two fine portraits by Mytens, full lengths. One is of Sir Roger Moftyn, knight, mentioned at p. 17. His face is an excellent representation of the viridis fenectus, his countenance florid, his peaked beard of strong whitenefs. On his head is a black clofe cap, turned up with Flanders lace; round his neck a flat large ruff; his whole dress befides is black; round the waistband of his great breeches is a girdle stuck with points. This piece of magnificence gave rise to a very coarse proverb, applicable to inferior people, ambitious of acting beyond their station. Round his knees are fimilar gir dles. |