Hi Stephen
What position does your computer play at, must be a key position <g>.
Regards John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Keates" <steve(a)s-ckeates.fsnet.co.uk>
To: <GLAMORGAN-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: 30 September 2000 17:21
Subject: Not Everyone Knows......Byngs Tour 1787
My computer having now the world record for 23 trys and 18
conversions at my
sons school rugby match this morning is now back to normal. I
however was
very muddy.
This the second part of John Byng's entry for Monday, August 6
visiting the
Mackworth estate. And Tuesday August 7.
....The country around him was barren - now they are mowing three
loads of
hay from each acre! His mountains are planted with trees, and his
valley's
are covered by beeves. [Cattle]
An ingenious artist (retain'd by Sir Herbert) has invented a curious
and
simple borer of ground, which we survey'd. It is work'd by
one
horse, will
pierce thro' fifty fathoms of rock in ten months, by an auger
that
brings up
the soil, and by a scupper which carries off the water: the expense
of
working this easily constructed engine is about eight pounds per
month. Now
to me it appears strange that a gentleman of fortune in any county
will not
adventure with this machine; for tho' hatred and malice may
deride,
yet
great discoveries at least might be made for the advancement of
agriculture.
Tuesday, August 7 ...Mr Howell then walk'd with me to the
shipbuilding
yards, rope walks, iron forges, and to Sir Herbert Mackworth's
shops, water
engines, etc., etc.
The colliers here do not earn more than 1s 4d. per diem,
notwithstanding
their labour and danger, many of them being frequently burnt to
death by the
foul air taking fire.
His tour continues up to Brecon where he discusses Mrs Siddons place
of
birth (Brecon) with a landlord of that town.
*******************************************
That is all of Byngs Tour relating to Glamorgan. It is certainly a
curious
book and there are entertaining passages re his companions health.
I don't
get the feeling he is overly keen on the Welsh. But he is not
complementary
generally about the 'labouring classes'. It is possible some
local
libraries may have a copy. This edition was published by the Folio
Society.
Some of his original manuscripts have been lost, and I was
disappointed that
the one for Somerset and the West country was one of those.
Thanks to all who sent their messages of enjoyment. And I really
did miss
Peters joke so bit dim that morning. I blame the children !!!!
Jeff Lewis
kindly blamed Thursdays.
Steve
==== GLAMORGAN Mailing List ====
Archive Repositories in Wales:
http://www.llgc.org.uk/cac/0023.htm