Their name may seem not as truly Cambrian,
as Morgan and Owen;
Evans and Parry;
and Jones;
but still the Headlongs
claim to be as genuine derivatives
from the antique branch of Cadwallader
as any of these other families.
(Chapter One)

Four of these guests,
from various parts of the Metropolis,
occupy the corner seats of the Holyhead Mail:
Mr Foster, a Perfectibilian ...
Mr Escot, a Deteriorationist ...
Mr Jenkison, a Statu-quo-ite ...
and the Reverend Dr Gaster -
who, though of course
neither a Philosopher nor a Man of Taste,
has, by a learnèd dissertation on
‘The Art of Stuffing a Turkey,’
so won the Squire's fancy
that he concludes no Christmas party
 can be complete without him.
(Chapter One)

Headlong Hall,
seat of the ancient and honourable
family of the Headlongs,
in the Vale of Llanberris,
Caernarvonshire.
(Chapter One)

The first to arrive
is Marmaduke Milestone, Esquire,
a Picturesque Landscape Gardener
of the first celebrity,
with portfolio under his arm,
and hopes of persuading
Squire Headlong to put
the grounds of his Estate
under a process of Improvement,
promising a signal triumph
for his Art in the difficult
and therefore glorious achievement
of Polishing and Trimming
the rocks of Llanberris.
(Chapter Three)