76 SURVEY UNDER OFFICE OF WORKS CHAP, in 



While stationed at Pumpsaint, near Llandovery, in 

 1842, Ramsay had received much kindness from Mr. 

 Johnes of Dolaucothi and his family. The friendship 

 then begun was one of the most cherished of his life, 

 and lasted undimmed to the time of his death. He 

 was always a welcome guest at the house and a 

 constant correspondent of the family. Not infre- 

 quently his epistles took the form of verse, and on his 

 visits he sometimes wrote rhymes in the albums of the 

 ladies. The earliest of these effusions dates back to 

 the summer of 1842, and its character may be gathered 

 from the following lines in it : 



And when 'mid other scenes I ride, 



With good Sir Henry by my side, 



Oft will I tell of merry staves, 



Sung in Gogofau's ancient caves ; 



And how his ' geologic son ' 



At Dolaucothi had ' such fun ' ; 



Fenced with his host upon the green, 



And came off second best, I ween ; 



Ran races on the lawn, good lack ! 



And tumbled down upon his back ; 



Or shouted loud among the train, 



Till woodland echoes rang again ; 



When I (with all the mirthful crew, 



Yourself, and B, C, F, and Stue), 



A stranger from the ' Land o' Cakes,' 



On Cothi's banks made ducks and drakes ; 



Or how, 'mid arbor-vitas bowers, 



We plucked our ante-dinner flowers ; 



And lofty Fanny chose to wear, 



Entwined amid her raven hair, 



Of cabbages a garland fair, 



While Charlotte, less ambitious, weaves 



A simple wreath of carrot leaves. 



While the Geological Survey was in progress in 

 Wales it was not difficult for him to pay an occasional 

 visit to Dolaucothi, where he was always certain of 

 a cordial welcome. And even after the field-work 

 had been finished in the Principality he was able from 



