Curiosities Of Great Britain: England And Wales Delineated Part 15

[B] BADLESMERE. Bartholomew de Badlesmere, lord of the manor in the reign of Edward the Second, obtained a license for founding a house of regular canons in this place. The church is a small and very plain Saxon structure. In the porch are the fronts of two ancient wooden seats, carved in high relief; one represents a s.h.i.+eld, on which are the star, ribbon, and motto of the order of the garter: on the other are some Scriptural sentences, relative to the Holy Trinity, in four circles, united by bands; so that the words Pater, Filius, Spisces and Deus, though only once repeated in the circles, form a part of every sentence.

[Sidenote: Curious carvings in wood.]

[C] BADMINTON, (Great) has been the seat of the ducal family of Beaufort, ever since the demolition of Ragland Castle, in the civil wars. Badminton House, the family residence of the duke, is situated in a n.o.ble park nearly nine miles in circ.u.mference, through which various avenues have been formed. It was erected by the first duke of Beaufort in the year 1682. It is a very extensive building, on the French model.

In the hall is a large sarcophagus of Roman sculpture, representing a baccha.n.a.lian procession; this was given to the third duke of Beaufort, by Cardinal Alberoni. By that distinguished prelate, who died in 1745, many curious and original paintings were procured during his residence in Italy; among them is a Holy Family, by Raphael; and several by Guido and Carlo Dolci are much esteemed. He also purchased the very singular and finely painted satirical picture by Salvator Rosa, for which that artist was expelled Rome. "The Sovereigns of the different nations are here depicted by different animals, as an eagle, a wolf, a sheep, a hog, a fox, a cow, and an a.s.s; the latter has the pontifical pall thrown over him, and the blind G.o.ddess, Fortune, is represented showering her gifts over the whole group." Some excellent landscapes, by the Italian masters, are also preserved here; and a very fine series of fourteen portraits, of the Beauforts, from John of Gaunt, from whom they trace their genealogy. Badminton church is an elegant structure; it was built by the late duke in 1785, and contains many monuments of the Beaufort family.

[Sidenote: Duke of Beaufort's seat.]

[Sidenote: Fine paintings.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+--------------------+----------+------------+-------------+ 15 Badminton, Little ti Gloucester Sodbury 6 Tetbury 10 42 Badsey pa Worcester Evesham 2 Broadway 4 37 Badshot ti Surrey Farnham 2 Guildford 9 45 Badsworth pa W.R. York Pontefract 5 Wakefield 9 36 Badwell-Ash pa Suffolk Stowmarket 8 Ixworth 4 34 Bagborough-West pa Somerset Taunton 12 Watchet 7 43 Bagby chap N.R. York Thirsk 3 Borobridge 11 23 Baggrave lib Leicester Leicester 9 Melton 7 39 Baginton[A] pa Warwick Coventry 4 Rugby 13 54 Baglan[B] pa Glamorgan Neath 4 Aberavon 2 +--+--------------------+----------+------------+-------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+--------------------+-----------------------+-----+-------+ 15 Badminton, Little ti Malmesbury 10 106 116 42 Badsey pa Alcester 15 98 463 37 Badshot ti Frimley 7 37 45 Badsworth pa Doncaster 11 171 782 36 Badwell-Ash pa Bury 12 78 490 34 Bagborough-West pa Stowey 8 156 453 43 Bagby chap Easingwold 8 220 289 23 Baggrave lib Houghton 5 100 16 39 Baginton[A] pa Kenilworth 4 90 257 54 Baglan[B] pa Swansea 13 194 410 +--+--------------------+-----------------------+-----+-------+

[A] BAGINTON. The Hall, a seat of a descendant of the Bromley family, who purchased the estate in the reign of James I., was built by secretary Bromley. This gentleman, one of the most honest and able servants of Queen Anne, was Speaker of the House of Commons. In proof of the high estimation in which he was held, it is necessary only to cite a memorable circ.u.mstance relative to the residence under notice. In 1706, the family seat at Baginton was reduced to the ground by fire.

Intelligence of this calamity was conveyed to the owner while attending his duty in the House of Commons, and a considerable sum was immediately voted by parliament towards a restoration of the structure. Here is barely to be traced the site of the castellated residence of Sir William Bagot, a firm adherent of Richard II., at which the Duke of Hereford, afterwards Henry IV., lodged the night previous to his projected personal contest with Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, in the presence of the King on Gosford Green, where the lists were formed; the scene is admirably described by Shakespeare.

[Sidenote: Once destroyed by fire].

[B] BAGLAN is a parish in the hundred of Neath. The village is of the most romantic beauty, and the scenery in the neighbourhood is of a delightful character. Near this place is Britton Ferry, which is interesting, not only on account of its sylvan fascinations, but as being the domain of Lord Jersey, whose extensive plantations spread over several bold hills westward of the Neath river, a stream which here emerges in a fine sweep, between woody banks, partly broken into cliffs and at a short distance descends into the sea. "From a delightful shady walk over the stream, we branched off," says Mr. Barber, "into an 'alley green,' which led us up a steep hill, covered with large trees, and tangled underwood; the ascent was judiciously traced, where several bare crags, projecting from the soil, formed an opposite contrast to the luxuriant verdure which prevailed around. On gaining the summit, the charms of Britton Ferry disclosed themselves in 'an ample theatre of sylvan grace,' of more than common beauty: beyond which, the Bristol Channel, bounded by the aerial tint of its opposite coast, formed the distance. From this roaming prospect, however, the eye gladly returned to gaze on the local beauties of the scene, the tufted knoll, the dark glade, and the majestic river." The mansion is a very ordinary building; the house is low having two wings, with attic windows in the roof, ornamented with a bull.u.s.traded parapet. The neat simplicity of the hamlet deserves remark; perhaps the church is unrivalled, both for its picturesque situation, and moral interest. The custom of planting evergreens over the remains of departed friends, and bedecking them with flowers at certain seasons of the year, is here attended to with peculiar care; and to this pleasing tribute of tenderness and affection the "Bard of Avon" refers in the following beautiful lines:--

"With fairest flowers while summer lasts, I'll sweeten thy sad grave, thou shalt not lack The flower that's like thy face, pale primrose: nor The azured harebell, like thy veins: no, nor The leaf of eglantine, whom not to slander, Out-sweetened not thy breath."

David Ap Gw.i.l.l.ym also beautifully alludes to this practice: "Oh, while thy season of flowers, and thy tender sprays thick of leaves remain, I will pluck the roses from the brakes, the flowers from the meads, the vivid trefoils, beauties of the ground, and the gaily smiling bloom of the verdant herbs, humbly will I lay them on the grave of Ivor!" This part of Wales is so mild in its climate, that myrtles, magnolias, and other tender exotics, grow luxuriantly in the open air. Near Baglan is a well with medicinal properties, but many superst.i.tious notices are a.s.sociated with its use in the neighbourhood.

_Mail_ arrives at Aberavon, 2 miles distant, 6 evening; departs, 7.30 morning.

[Sidenote: Lord Jersey's seat].

[Sidenote: Britton Ferry.]

[Sidenote: Planting evergreens over graves.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+------------------+----------+------------+-------------+ 4 Bagley Wood ti Berks Abingdon 3 Oxford 3 34 Bagnall to Stafford Leek 6 Newcastle 6 4 Bagnor to Berks Newbury 2 Hungerford 7 37 Bagshot[A] vil Surrey Staines 10 Blackwater 4 27 Bagthorpe pa Norfolk Burnham 7 Fakenham 9 7 Baguley to Chester Knutsford 2 Altringham 5 23 Bagworth chap Leicester M. Bosworth 5 Ashby 9 45 Baildon[B] to&chap W.R. York Bradford 5 Otley 6 22 Bailey to Lancaster c.l.i.thero 5 Blackburn 8 +--+------------------+----------+-------------+------------+ Dist.

Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+------------------+------------------------+-----+------+ 4 Bagley Wood ti c.u.mnor 4 57 21 34 Bagnall to Cheadle 8 154 306 4 Bagnor to Lambourn 10 58 594 37 Bagshot[A] vil Windsor 11 26 1912 27 Bagthorpe pa Lynn 14 109 73 7 Baguley to Stockport 11 176 468 23 Bagworth chap Leicester 10 108 328 45 Baildon[B] to&chap Keighley 7 201 3041 22 Bailey to Preston 14 219 +--+------------------+------------------------+-----+------+

[A] BAGSHOT is a village on the great western road, in the parish of Windlesham, and hundred of Woking. Bagshot heath derives its name from this village; it is one of the most extensive wastes in the kingdom, and was formerly the scene of many highway robberies. Its appearance is extremely desolate, but it is useful in supplying the inhabitants with fuel, and feeds a great number of sheep, the mutton of which is excellent; but like other animals fed on a similar pasture, the sheep are small. On the edge of the heath are several n.o.blemen's seats. Among which, Hall Grove, the residence of Mrs. Birt; Chobham Place, S.

Thornton, Esq.; South Hill Park, the Earl of Limerick; and Easthampstead Park, the seat of the Marquis of Downs.h.i.+re; are deserving the notice of the curious traveller. Bagshot Park to the north of the village, was once the seat of his late Majesty George IV. when Prince of Wales; after which time it was inhabited by the late Duke of Gloucester, (brother-in-law of his present Majesty) until the day of his decease, which occurred on the 30th of November, 1834, in the 58th year of his age; his remains were interred in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on the 11th of the following month. Bagshot was formerly a lords.h.i.+p of the kings of England, and was much resorted to by James I., and Charles I., to enjoy the pleasures of the chace.

_Mail_ arrives 10.14 night; departs 3.28 morning--_Inns_, King's Arms, and White Hart.

[Sidenote: Bagshot heath.]

[B] BAILDON is in the parish of Otley and wapentake of Skyrack, and is situated on the river Aire. The inhabitants are princ.i.p.ally engaged in trade and manufactures. The Leeds and Liverpool Ca.n.a.l pa.s.ses within a mile and a half from this place.

_Fair_, first Sat.u.r.day in March and November, for horses, horned cattle &c.

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+-------------------+----------+---------------+-------------+ 9 Bailie to c.u.mberland Carlisle 18 Bewcastle 2 43 Bainbridge to N.R. York Askrigg 2 Hawes 4 28 Bainton pa Northamp Wandsford 5 Deeping 4 31 Bainton ham Oxford Bicester 3 Deddington 8 46 Bainton pa E.R. York G. Driffield 6 Beverley 11 10 Bakewell[A] mt & pa Derby Chesterfield 11 Manchester 35 +--+-------------------+----------+---------------+-------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+-------------------+--------------------------+-----+-------+ 9 Bailie to Brampton 10 312 454 43 Bainbridge to Middleham 13 246 831 28 Bainton pa Stamford 4 89 171 31 Bainton ham Aynhoe 6 56 27 46 Bainton pa Weighton 10 196 300 10 Bakewell[A] mt & pa Wirksworth 13 153 9503 +--+-------------------+--------------------------+-----+-------+

[A] BAKEWELL. This ancient market town, in which the petty sessions for the High Peak are holden, is situated on the western bank of the river Wye. Of late years, the market has dwindled into insignificance, but the parish is the most extensive in Derbys.h.i.+re; its length is more than 20 miles, and its breadth upwards of eight. The pasturage in this neighbourhood is remarkably good. The town was anciently called Bath-quelle; it appears to have derived its name from its Bath-well, the immediate site of which has been for many years occupied by a collector of minerals and fossils for private cabinets. From the circ.u.mstance of a Roman altar, and other antiquities having been discovered here, there can be but little doubt that Bakewell was a place of some note in the time of the Romans. At the Conquest, Bakewell had two priests and a church. The manor then belonged to William Peverell, ancestor of the Peveril celebrated in the admirable romance by Sir Walter Scott, styled "Peveril of the Peak." Bakewell church is an ancient structure, with a lofty spire. Near the entrance of the town, from Ashford, is a mill, for the carding, roving, doubling, spinning, and twisting of cotton, in which some hundreds of persons of both s.e.xes are employed; the mill was erected by the late Sir Richard Arkwright, the founder of the cotton trade in this neighbourhood. This distinguished character, whose perseverance and admirable inventions raised him from one of the most humble occupations in society--that of a barber--to affluence and honour, was the youngest of thirteen children, and was born in the year 1732, at Preston, in Lancas.h.i.+re. A considerable manufacture of linen goods, and of linen and cotton mixed, was then carried on in that neighbourhood, and Mr. Arkwright had an opportunity of becoming intimately acquainted with the various operations; and being a man of superior powers, he directed his thoughts to the improvement of the mode of spinning, which had probably been conducted for ages without thought of change. The first hint respecting the means of effecting this improvement, he said, he accidentally received from seeing a red hot iron bar elongated, by being pa.s.sed between iron cylinders. The difficulties which he experienced before he could bring his machine into use, even after its construction was sufficiently complete to demonstrate its value, would, perhaps, have for ever r.e.t.a.r.ded its completion, had his genius and application been less ardent. His pecuniary means were not such as to enable him to commence business on his own account, and few were willing to incur the necessary risk. At length, however, he secured the co-operation of some persons who saw the merits of the invention, and were willing to a.s.sist his endeavours, and he obtained his first patent for spinning by means of rollers in the year 1769. To avoid the inconvenience of establis.h.i.+ng a manufacture of this kind at the great seat of the cotton manufacture, as it then existed, he removed to Nottingham, when, in conjunction with his partners, he erected his first mill, which was worked by horses. This mode being found too expensive, another mill on a larger scale was erected at Cromford, the machinery of which was put in motion by water.

Mr. Arkwright soon effected many improvements in the mode of preparing the cotton for spinning, and invented a variety of ingenious machines for that purpose, in the most correct and expeditious manner, for all which he obtained a patent in the year 1775, and thus completed a series of machinery so various and complicated, yet so admirably combined as to excite universal approbation. That all this should have been accomplished by a single man, without education, without mechanical knowledge, or even mechanic's experience, is truly extraordinary; and is, perhaps, equal to any known example of the wonderful powers of the human mind, when steadily directed to one object. However, at the same time that he was inventing or improving the machinery, he was engaged in various undertakings which might have been thought incompatible with other pursuits. He was taking measures to secure himself a fair proportion of the fruits of his industry and ingenuity--he was greatly extending the business--he was introducing into every department of the manufactory, a novel system of industry, economy, order, and cleanliness; the whole of which he so effectually accomplished, that his example may be regarded as the origin of almost all similar improvements. During this entire period, he was afflicted with a violent asthma, which sometimes threatened the immediate termination of his existence; and for some time previously to his death, he was rendered incapable of continuing his usual pursuits, by a complication of diseases, which, at length, deprived him of life at the Rock House, Cromford, on the 23d of August, 1792. The honour of Knighthood was bestowed on him by George III., in December, 1786, when he presented an address to that monarch. Dr. Thomas Denman, an eminent physician, was born at this place in 1733; after the death of Dr. William Hunter, he was considered as the most eminent man of his profession. Towards the decline of his life he gradually relinquished the more laborious parts of his profession to his son-in-law, Sir Richard Croft, and became a consulting physician. His death, which was very sudden, took place on the 26th of November, 1815. He left two daughters and a son, the latter of whom, adopting the legal profession, is now Lord Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench.

_Market_, Friday.--_Fairs_, Easter Monday; Whit Monday; August 26; Monday after October 10; Monday after November 22, for cattle and horses,--_Inn_, Rutland Arms, allowed to be one of the best Inns in the kingdom, and is much frequented by anglers during the summer season.--_Mail_ arrives 12.10 afternoon; departs 6.0 morning.

[Sidenote: Seat of the Peverils of the Peak.]

[Sidenote: Sir Richard Arkwright.]

[Sidenote: Cotton mills.]

[Sidenote: Dr. Thomas Denman.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+----------------+----------+-------------+------------+ 55 Bala[A] to Merioneth Shrewsbury 41 Dolgelly 18 +--+----------------+----------+-------------+------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+----------------+------------------------+-----+------+ 55 Bala[A] to Corven 12 195 1163 +--+----------------+----------+-------------+------------+

[A] BALA is situated at the outlet of the lake of the same name. It is a clean and populous market town, consisting of one wide princ.i.p.al street, and others crossing it at right angles. The houses are in general built very low. The young women commonly go barefooted; they are however well formed, and have little of the strong Welsh physiognomy. At this place is carried on a great trade in woollen gloves and stockings. Just before the entrance of the town is an artificial mount called "Tommen y Bala,"

(the tumulus of Bala) which is supposed to be of Roman origin, and placed here with a small castle on its summit to secure the pa.s.s towards the sea, which is about twenty-five miles distant. Bala Lake, or Llyn Tegid, is a quarter of a mile south of the town; it is the largest lake in Wales, being about four miles long, and in some places near a mile in breadth. At Bryn Goleu, its depth is several fathoms. The scenery around is mountainous, and it forms the princ.i.p.al attraction of the vicinity, yet it possesses none of the grand discriminating traits of the lakes of Scotland or Ireland. The overflowings of this lake are sometimes dreadful; but this only happens when the winds rush from the mountains at the upper end. In stormy weather, when swelled by torrents, the water is driven to the height of eight or nine feet, covering great part of the vale of Edeirnion, and almost threatening the town with destruction.

In calm settled weather, it has been so smooth as to be frozen over. The river Dee rises from under Arran ben Llyn, the high mountain at the head of the lake; and according to Giraldus Cambriensis, Drayton, and others, pa.s.ses through this immense body of water without deigning to intermix its waters, as the Rhone is said to pa.s.s through the lake of Geneva, and the cla.s.sic Alpheus through the waters of the Adriatic. Hence it has been a.s.serted, that salmon are never found in the lake, or gwiniad in the river; it however abounds with a variety of excellent fish, among which we may mention pike, trout, perch, and eels. The fishery in the 13th century belonged to the Abbey of Basingwerk; the whole property is vested at present in Sir Watkyn Williams Wynne, Bart., who allows the fishermen to be occasionally employed in attending fis.h.i.+ng parties with a boat and nets, without such privilege no person is allowed the use of nets; but angling is freely permitted, and gentlemen as distant as from London visit this place entirely for the sake of indulging in this amus.e.m.e.nt. Of the inns at Bala, Mr. Hutton says, "although I have often only reposed one night at an inn, yet from agreeable treatment and conversation, I found some regret the next morning at parting; and though I saw the people but once, my mind revolted at the idea of seeing them no more." The town of Bala is governed by two bailiffs, and a common council, and the a.s.sizes are held here and at Dolgelly alternately; it is likewise one of the polling places for the county.

_Market_ Sat.u.r.day--_Fairs_, May 14; July 10; Sep. 11 and 22; Oct. 24; and Nov. 8.--_Mail_ arrives 8.0 morning; departs 5.0 afternoon.

[Sidenote: The largest lake in Wales.]

[Sidenote: The lake fisheries.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+-----------------+---------+-------------+-----------+ 45 Balby[A] to W.R. York Doncaster 2 Tickhill 6 38 Balcombe pa Suss.e.x Cuckfield 4 Horsham 10 +--+-----------------+---------+-------------+-----------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+-----------------+-----------------------+-----+-----+ 45 Balby[A] to Rotherham 11 163 420 38 Balcombe pa E. Grinstead 9 33 641 +--+-----------------+-----------------------+-----+-----+

[A] BALBY. In this village George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, held his first meetings. His father, who was a weaver, gave him a very religious education; he was apprenticed to a grazier, and much employed as a shepherd. From his earliest infancy he displayed a tendency to enthusiasm, and no doubt his solitary employment tended to confirm it. At the early age of nineteen he persuaded himself that he was called to exercise his faculties, solely in the affairs of religion. Forsaking his relations, he determined to devote himself to that alone. Equipped in a leathern doublet, he wandered from place to place, subsisting by the charity of those who received his doctrines. At length he reached the metropolis, where, being discovered by his friends, he was earnestly invited to return. This, however, he refused to do, and after remaining with them a short time, he again betook himself to his itinerant habits. He now walked abroad in retired places, fasting and studying the Bible by day and night, and sometimes a hollow tree was his habitation, book in hand, for a day together. In 1648, he publicly propagated his opinions, commencing as public preacher at Manchester, which place he frequently left to perambulate the adjacent towns, preaching in the market-houses. About this time he began to adopt the manners and habits which are peculiar to the society following his religious opinions; nor was he free from the persecution which constantly follows novelty, in any thing regarded as an innovation of a religious nature. At Derby, the disciples of Fox were first denominated Quakers, from the trembling delivery of their sentences, and their calls on the magistrates to tremble before the Lord. In 1655, Fox was sent a prisoner to Cromwell, who immediately liberated him upon ascertaining the peaceful nature of his doctrines. He was, however, treated by the country magistracy with great severity, from his frequently interrupting ministers, even during divine service, and more than once the Protector, Oliver Cromwell, exerted himself to obtain his freedom. A fast having been appointed on account of the persecution of Protestants in foreign countries, he addressed a letter to the heads and governors of the nation, descrying, in most forcible terms, the impropriety of having recourse to severity of a similar nature at home. Charles II. liberated him from prison in the year 1666, and from that time they formally united as a "Society of Friends." Three years afterwards he married the widow of Judge Fell, in the simple unostentatious manner practised by the sect to the present day. His health, however, was impaired by imprisonment and suffering, and he lived in a more retired manner to the day of his death, which took place in the year 1690, in the 67th year of his age.

[Sidenote: George Fox the Quaker.]

[Sidenote: His wanderings and imprisonment.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+------------------+----------+-----------+-------------+ 43 Baldersley[A] to N.R. York Ripon 6 Thirsk 6 22 Balderston chap Lancaster Preston 7 Blackburn 5 30 Balderton pa Nottingham Newark 2 Bingham 12 18 Baldock[B] m.t.&pa Hertford Hertford 19 Biggleswade 8 31 Baldon Marsh pa Oxford Oxford 7 Abingdon 7 31 Baldon-Toot pa Oxford ... 6 ... 7 +--+-----------------+-----------+-----------+-------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+------------------+----------------------+-------------+ 43 Baldersley[A] to Borobridge 8 214 267 22 Balderston chap c.l.i.theroe 12 217 658 30 Balderton pa Grantham 12 122 830 18 Baldock[B] m.t.&pa Stevenage 6 37 1704 31 Baldon Marsh pa Wheatley 7 52 318 31 Baldon-Toot pa ... 7 53 272 +--+------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+

[A] BALDERSLEY. Near this village is an extensive common, called Hutton Conyers Moor, on which there is a rabbit-warren; the inhabitants have a right of estray for their sheep on this moor, in conjunction with some other towns.h.i.+ps, and each towns.h.i.+p has a shepherd. The lord's shepherd has a pre-eminence of tending his sheep on every part of the common; and wherever he herds the lord's sheep, the several other shepherds are to give place to him, and give up what is termed their hofiong place, so long as they are depastured thereon. The lord's court is held on the first of January; the shepherds attend the court, and each do fealty by bringing a large apple-pye and a two-penny sweet-cake; each pye is divided into two parts, and distributed by the bailiff between the steward, the tenant of the rabbit-warren, and the shepherds of the towns.h.i.+ps, reserving a portion however for himself. Each pye contains about a peck of flour, and the bailiff measures them with a rule to see that they are of the proper dimensions; should they not be so he threatens to fine the town; he, however, has to provide furmenty (a food made by boiling wheat in milk) and mustard. The furmenty is put into an earthen pot, and the top of the dish placed level with the ground, all persons present are invited to partake; those who do not accept the invitation are deemed disloyal to their lord. Every shepherd is compelled to bring a spoon with him, and in cases of neglect, or wilful pleasantry, they are obliged to sup the hot furmenty from the pot, and the bystanders not unfrequently plunge the offenders head into the mixture, as a matter of diversion.