Perhaps the most valued of his guests was Clough, who had then written most of his poetry, and projected new enterprises, not knowing how short his life would be.
Besides Clough, Matthew Arnold came to Plas Gwynant, and Charles Kingsley, and John Conington, the Oxford Professor of Latin, and Max Muller, the great philologist.

A letter to Max Muller, dated the 25th of June, 1851, gives a pleasant picture of existence there.
"I shall be so glad to see you in July.

Come and stay as long as work will let you, and you can endure our hospitality.

We are poor, and so are not living at a high rate.

I can't give you any wine, because I haven't a drop in the house, and you must bring your own cigars, as I am come down to pipes.