Chester Courant and Anglo-Welsh Gazette, June 29th 1824
HOUSE OF NANNAU
On Thursday last the son and heir of Sir Robert Vaughan, M.P. for the county of Merioneth, attained his majority for the celebration of which joyful event, the most enlarged preparations have been for some time making at Nannau, the family mansion of Sir Robert, and by his numerous tenantry and friends in various parts of the country. At Dolgelle, Bala, and all the intermediate and neighbouring towns and villages, festivities in every form and variety commenced on the above day.
At day-break in the morning, 21 rounds of guns were fired off from Cader Idris, which were returned from guns placed on eminence, near Nannau. At the same early hour, the bells of Dolgelly steeple commenced ringing in harmonious peal, and continued during the whole of the day. The bugles and trumpets of the Merionethshire militia struck up the revalley, and continued playing martial and other airs; flags were displayed on the towers of the church, and in different parts of the town.
At one o’clock a grand procession was formed which proceeded from Dolgelle to Nannau, consisting of a great number of respectable gentleman on horseback, followed by an innumerable multitude on foot; next followed and elegant mail coach, drawn by four beautiful brown horses, richly decorated with laurel and ribbons, mounting a coachman and two guards, elegantly dressed in red and gold, and carrying fourteen banners and afterwards followed a great number of gentleman in carriages. On the arrival of the procession near Nannau it was met by Sir R.W. Vaughan, Esq., the young heir, and about 50 other gentleman of the first respectability in North Wales, when greetings and cheerings of the most lively, (description anerceeded?), in the air resounding with joyful (socianations?).
At Nannau a capacious tent was erected, capable of dining 200 individuals, and in which not less than 150 gentlemen partook of a dinner of the most excellent description, and of abundance of wines; – and also of cwrw da which had been brewed at the time of the young man’s birth – Sir R. Vaughan presided upon the occasion; Col. Vaughan acted as vice-president, and the young heir of Nannau was placed on his right.
Other accommodations was prepared for the rest of the company, about 300 of whom sat down to elegant dinners. A number of Welsh bards and harpers we in attendance, who at intervals delighted the company with song, recitation, and musical performances. The weather was delightfully beautiful, and the whole of the day was spent in such a manner as powerfully to awaken in the mind a recollection of the olden time, when British hospitality, and mutual regards between landlords and tenants, relgued supremely.
We had almost forgot to notice, than our high-spirited neighbour, Mrs. Tomlinson, had at her entire expense, sent her coach, coachman, and guards to give (ceint?) to the celebration, and the compliment was felt not only by the immediate connexions of the family, but by her numerous Cambrian friends, for whose comforts convenience, and pleasure, she is ever prompt to make the most willing sacrificed,
While the festivities were proceeding at Nannau, at several of the principle inns in Dolgelle, elegant dinners were provided and bullocks and sheep were roasted, which with plentiful libations of ale were distributed to the populace – In the course of the day a very handsome balloon was sent off from Dolgelle, which took a fine ascent, and gave to the wondering sons of Cambria an exhibition which is extremely rare in the part of the country. – A general illumination at Dolgelle closed the mirthful scenes of this joyous day, which will long be remembered by the inhabitants with pleasure and delight. – It was not however alone in the neighbourhood of the worthy baronet that these marks of homage were paid to him and his ancient house. At Bala, the scene was animating and respectful; at the head inn, about a hundred gentlemen sat down to a public dinner, and in the evening there was a general illumination. There was also an illumination at Corwen, where also was an ox roasted, and other scenes of merriment occurred. In our next, we shall give further particulars.
