Moving on, 1906

The Woodlands, image taken circa 1875
Copyright The National Library of Wales, permission for non commercial use.

News of Thomas’ retirement from his post at Palé comes without warning in January 1906 with the entry: Tuesday 9th To Bala College to advise them about trees and grounds ‘It was my last chance to go before leaving Palé’.

Then, there is his own heading ‘Leaving Palé’.

Wednesday the 17th [January]. We have been busy packing everything for about 10 days, and now we leave dear old Palé where I have been for 37 years. I made all the grounds, gardens, and had the hothouses erected in Mr Robertson’s time. I have had happy and sorrowful times at it, and now as I am not young, the strain and constant tie tells on me.

Sir Henry wishes me to go into his house, called the Woodlands at Llangollen; a home much too big for us, but he says I can occupy all I require of it. It is a pretty little spot, just out of town and yet close to it and within 7 or 8 minutes of the station. We got all our furniture etc. into the vans and all weighed about 4 tons. Sir Henry removes my things for me. We left by the 4.20 and were met at Llangollen by Mr. Chinnock of Leahurst and his kind family. They stay with Chinnock family overnight as beds were not ready in new home. I believe Mr Chinnock to have been a former employee of the Robertson family.

Thursday the 18th We brought my box and Henry’s box, the collections of eggs and shells with us in the carriage – are all safe and left them at the Woodlands last night. Today we got only one load of furniture, for the weather was so stormy, sleet and wind. As the rest had not all arrived, Henry and I made up shakedowns and slept at the Woodlands, for the rooms have been well aired by Mr Chinnock.

Friday the 19th. We got the rest of the furniture and got up the beds, so that all of us slept at the Woodlands. We also managed to cook our own food at it. … The unpacking was very exciting; there was not a single article broken or damaged. The railway wagon man said he rarely saw such good packing. John Thomas packed all crockery, glass and the pierglass, the latter in a crate. Henry and the girls packed the books, and I packed the fossils, minerals and antiquities.

Saturday the 20th. Busy putting things together. Francie left by last train for Llandderfel, as she has to play the organ on Sundays until other arrangements can be made.

It is not clear exactly how the decision for Thomas to leave was made, whether by his request, the gentle encouragement of Sir Henry, or a mutual decision. However as if Sir Henry’s provision of a substantial house and continuing gifts of game birds at Christmas was proof of ongoing care. There is no indication that Thomas ever returned to Palé.

As will be seen, Thomas made the most of his tenancy of the spacious house provided for him by setting up his various collections on a room he would name ‘the Museum’. Thomas had long known the Woodlands as a house belonging to the Robertson family, having mentioned being sent to inspect the garden at some time in the 1880s. It would seem that the house later became a hotel, perhaps somewhat extended. There is evidence online of its being sold as late as 2014.

University Days, 1905

Aberystwyth College about 1901

Thomas’ journal for the year 1905 is quite sparse. He was to retire in the spring of the next year and there are hints that his energies were diminishing. He records a number of walks undertaken by his children on their own and such walks as he joins in are modest. There are no geological expeditions recorded, and no high level rambles.

Most of the news he records concerns his children; by now he has two, both a son and daughter at University. His eldest son of his second marriage, Henry having left Aberystwyth in 1903 was continuing his higher education at Jesus College, Oxford, studying mathematics. Now in 1905 his second daughter, Caroline Elizabeth, ‘Carrie’ was offered a place at Aberystwyth where women students had been admitted in 1884 and a hall of residence for women opened in 1885 At first Thomas was undecided whether she should go, worrying about expense, but when Carrie achieved a Scholarship, Thomas resolved that she should follow her brother. I believe she read Latin from a newspaper article following her graduation which I can’t now locate.

The academic successes of his children were very gratifying to Thomas, who all those years ago had chosen gardening as a path to social mobility. Sir Henry Robertson seems to have taken a lively interest in the youngsters’ fortunes, advising and encouraging Thomas to facilitate his daughter’s further education as well as his son’s.

A New Home for the Journals, 2023

Pictured – handing over the journals at the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Science store at the AG Brighton building. After 19 years of giving a home to Thomas Ruddy’s fascinating journals, and having transcribed most of the journals fully, and taken notes on the final three to cope with fading eyesight, the journals have at last found a home where they can be properly housed, conserved and consulted by researchers. Their destination could not be more appropriate, and I’m most grateful to the Archivist of the Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge for her interest and encouragement over the years.

Thomas never visited Cambridge, but his mentor and collaborator over many years was Thomas McKenny Hughes, who in 1873 succeeded Adam Sedgwick as Woodwardian Professor of Geology at Cambridge. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_McKenny_Hughes McKenny Hughes’ expeditions with Ruddy over many years are documented in this blog (see Category) He was often accompanied by his wife Mary Caroline, herself a very competent geologist. Her presence enabled other female geologists and enthusiasts to take part in expeditions led by Ruddy, who seemed particularly welcoming and concerned for the women who showed interest in his passion for geology.

Following Sedgwick’s death, McKenny Hughes began to consider and plan for a new museum which would also be a working research institution to honour his mentor, Sedgwick. His plan finally came to fruition with the opening of the building in 1904. From Wikipedia:

The building of the present Sedgwick Museum on Downing Street was supervised by McKenny Hughes. McKenny Hughes was particularly skilled in the art of persuasion and had no trouble negotiating and cajoling the University to consider erecting a new museum, as a permanent memorial to Adam Sedgwick. He raised over £95,000 through public subscription towards the construction of the new Museum.

Recently a new facility has been opened at the Madingly Rise Site in Cambridge which works as the ‘back office’ of the Sedgwick, and it is here to the AG Brighton Building that I was able to take the remaining journals and a few other items of interest. Sandra, the Archivist gave a fascinating tour of the many and varied items stored there, including some relating to the Hughes’s.

One of the items I was able to deposit was a magnificent example of Ruddy’s geological draftsmanship. This now fragile document was probably created when Ruddy displayed some of his Bala Fossils to members of the International Geological Convention in 1888 (see related post).

Playing the ‘Degrees of Separation’ Game. Otherwise known as ‘Lloyd George Knew My Father’. I enjoyed musing on this. Adam Sedgwick – Thomas McK Hughes (1) -Thomas Ruddy (2) – Revd. Henry Ruddy (3) – Revd. Denys Ruddy (4) – Revd. Wendy Carey [me](5). Honoured, I’m sure!

Thomas Ruddy’s Journals can be consulted by application to the Archivist at the Museum by bona fide researchers, Catalogued as RDDY001.001 -RDDY001.008

1902 Thomas at 60

Jesus College Oxford via Victorianweb.org

In the year of Thomas’ 60th birthday, a milestone not mentioned in the journal, Thomas’ attention was mainly on family matters. For the first time since his arrival at Palé he does not mention any geological expeditions and there are hints that his energies are diminishing. A number of significant family circumstances are of note.

Henry, the eldest son of his second marriage, attained his BA in mathematics from Aberystwyth, and received an Exhibition grant of £50 enabling him to continue his studies at Jesus College Oxford. The younger children continued to do well in school as well as helping their sister Francie in the house. Millie captained her school’s hockey team.

On April 23rd Willie, younger son of Thomas’ first marriage brought his fiancée May Morris to meet the family. Willie and May married on May 20th, Thomas does not appear to have attended the ceremony.

Thomas continued to write his nature notes for the Oswestry Advertiser. He continued to have visitors to his collections of fossils and birds’ eggs. In November theHon. C.H. Wynne, a member of a local family of gentry visited, bringing with him ‘Mr. Gladstone’, presumably one of W.E .Gladstone’s younger sons: the eldest son had succeeded to the politician’s title and the second son was a clergyman. They took much interest in his collections and lingered for some time with Thomas, mentioning that they read his Oswestry Adverser articles with interest, and enquiring where similar fossils could be found in rocks locally.

1899 Francie Keeps House

The family in 1895, Francie (Frances Harriet) top right

Every member of the Ruddy family was deeply affected by the tragic death of wife and mother Frances Harriett at the age of 52, but for eldest daughter Francie it had a huge impact. Along with many other girls of her age whose mothers had died, the expectation was that she would take on the motherly role. she was 14, and at this age girls from less well off families would enter service as a maid, so there would have been no doubt that she could manage.

Francie had a number of advantages: the family had Mary, one of a succession of live-in general maids who had been with the family since Thomas’s appointment as Head Gardener. Francie was at the Girls’ school in Bala, doing very well, and in receipt of a scholarship. Thomas enabled her to continue in education a further year, although her spare time seems have been much taken up with domestic duties. In addition, though not mentioned in the journal, there would have been an oversight for the family’s welfare from the Robertson family and staff at Palé Hall.

It wasn’t always plain sailing for young Francie: Monday the 12th [June 1899]. Francie cut her finger rather badly with the breadknife.

in 1899 it is noticeable that Francie was rarely walking with the family, presumably being much occupied with both school work and extra housekeeping duties. Mary, the maid, was sometimes included in walks when Francie was also present. This inclusion of Mary in the family’s activities was initially convenient, but was to lead to trouble later. There was fun with a bicycle in July: Saturday the 29^th [July].  Mary and the girls have been practising with a bicycle on hire all week. Monday the 31^st Francie went with Mary in the evening to Bala to deliver up the hired bicycle. It was warm but they rode turn about and walked the difficult places.  They came back by train. 

In August, Thomas, aware that Francie had missed out on a treat enjoyed by her siblings, took her out with him for the day: Wednesday the 16^th [August]. I had to go to Porthmadog to be one of the judges at the flower show there. As a Francie had not been to Rhyl, I took home with me to go this circular tour. I got her to put on a gold watch and chain (Her grandmother’s) for the first time. 

The journey took them on the narrow gauge railway from Blaenau Ffestioniog to Porthmadog, which Thomas calls the ‘Toy Railway’: From Blaenau we went by the Toy Railway to Porthmadog.  This miniature railway is 13 ¼ miles in length and runs uphill from Porthmadog to Blaenau 700 feet above sea level. The guage is but 1 ft 11 ¼ inches with  Little engines and carriages overhanging the rails. The curves are numerous and sharp, and the gradients are from one in 68 to 1 in 92. It is a single line with no slopes in the cuttings of rock, and there is not much more width than is required for the carriages. There is the one tunnel through Moel Dduallt of 73 yards, and another of 60 yards. The views all the way are very beautiful as the line is so elevated that it overlooks the vale of Maentwrog all the way. The river Dwryd  winds along the valley to the sea at Traeth Bach.  The sides of the valley are beautifully wooded with rocky heights here and there. 

Steam train at Ddallt station on the Heritage Railway in 2018

Thomas and Francie enjoyed their day and arrived home to find Mary’s sister Annie there with her: We had a very pleasant journey home and found Mary had her sister Annie here to keep her company. We very much enjoyed our outing.

Then, suddenly, it all goes wrong: Wednesday the 23^rd [August]. I had to send Mary away for she has been idling most of her time for about two months. She is continually idling and gossiping out of doors with the next-door people and the passers-by. I have warned her many times but she only laughed at me and became insolent.  She had an idea that I could not do without her, but now when I have Francie at home she has made a great mistake. We were sorry for her, for we have been very kind to her in many ways, but she does not seem to have any gratitude in her.  

There is a sadness that Francie is now left to manage entirely on her own, but Thomas continues to give her breaks from household duties: Thursday the 24^th [August]. Sir Henry wished me to go to Shrewsbury flower show. I took Francie with me. It was very warm all the way there, and the heat was very great at the show. The plants, fruit, flowers and vegetables were very good, that the heat in the tents was unbearable, and every place outside and in was crowded with people.  We had a good tea there, but the heat made us very thirsty.  We saw a balloon go up with two men in it. We saw performing dogs, monkeys, and wonderful bicycling by the Selbini troupe, saw the wonderful Arab group of 12 performers tumbling in a wonderful manner and balancing themselves one above another as pillars, walls, etc.

Francie continued to learn to keep house, usually with appreciation from Thomas. So on Christmas Day 1899: The children and myself had a comfortable dinner. Francie cooked our goose and plum pudding to perfection. Friends sent books, cakes, sweets, cards and a silk handkerchief.

Francie’s early introduction to housekeeping and the care of her four siblings did not seem to put her off a caring lifestyle. As a grown woman she did not marry, but pursued a career in caring for orphaned and disadvantaged children in various charitable institutions.

Frances Harriet in later life, courtesy of family member R.W.

The Family Responds, 1898

The children in 1896

In August 1898, the Ruddy family found themselves very suddenly bereaved by the death of their mother at the age of 52. Henry, the eldest was 15, Frances 14, Caroline 12, Amelia 10 and Alfred 8. At the time, such a bereaved family would have been relatively commonplace. The photograph above was taken two years earlier.

Despite the devastating effect of such a loss, the family had the advantage of being long established in the village, and held in high esteem amongst all at Palé Hall, staff and Robertson family alike. Practical support and assistance would have been in plentiful supply. As will be seen in the journal, such an event placed a great deal of responsibility on the shoulders of the eldest daughter, Frances, ‘ Francie’, who took on much of the general administration of the house, although the family had the advantage of always having a general maid throughout their time at Palé.

After an initial outpouring of grief, Thomas remains stoical, in true Victorian fashion. My dear wife was a most devoted mother to her children and a wife who could scarcely be equalled in her sphere of life. She is well and truthfully described in Proverbs, chapter 31, verses 27 and 28. [1st August, 1898, the day of Harriet’s death]

Thomas’ response to his bereavement was in general to continue the routines of his life as before. He faithfully records the weather statistics for August as he always did. His wide circle of friendship gave him commiserations and support both in person and by letter for which he seems deeply grateful.

By Friday 26th Thomas felt able to take the children to Barmouth for the day, even taking the children’s friend Ada Patton along with them. His journal shows him to have become a deeply responsible and caring father to the five children of his second marriage. He details walks with them in various combinations throughout the rest of his journals, suggesting that they were free to choose whether to join in. Walks with Thomas were always educational as he pointed out plants, flowers bird and animal life.

He felt able to continue public duties as well; on Tuesday 30th he went to judge the flower and vegetable show at Glanllyn as usual, taking Henry with him. After judging and lunch, he took Henry for an extensive ramble including to the Roman fort of Caer Gai. He gives an extensive report of their expedition.

Thomas and Henry travelled by train to the Glanllyn Flag Halt, where they had a launch waiting to take them to the House, then a hunting lodge, now a field centre. After lunch they walked to Caer Gai.

There is no mention of the two elder sons of Thomas’ first marriage at this point. At this distance it is difficult to judge the complexity of family relationships, particularly using a journal which is by its nature a selective document reflecting the immediate concerns of an individual.

Homecoming to a tragedy, 1898

Few photographs exist of Frances Harriet Ruddy, neé Williams. This is apparently taken when she was a young woman.

As mentioned in my previous post, Thomas had hardly ever, perhaps never been away overnight from his family since his marriage to Frances Harriet. The events that were to unfold on his return were therefore particularly shocking.

I got home here to find poor Frances looking quite ill with what we thought was severe bilious attack.  She was very sorry to be ill on my arrival home, for she would have liked to hear all about my visit if well enough.

Tuesday the 26^th.  I got the doctor (Mr Williams) to come and see Frances. He said she had a chill and inflammation, so she had better keep to bed for a day or two, and that she would be alright in a few days.

Wednesday the 27^th. Francis fairly well. I at Pen. [Home of Mr Pamplin, Frances’uncle]  Frances weak on Thursday. 

Friday. Henry had his report to say he had passed in the first division the Matriculation Exam of the University of Wales.  His mother was much pleased and complimented him. Willie came in the evening for his holidays; he had a week, most of which he spent in the Isle of Man.

Saturday the 30^th. Francis apparently better. Dr here every day at my wish, because it is more satisfactory.

The 31^st. Dear Frances pretty well until the evening when she became delirious. She had great thirst the previous night; I gave her milk and soda water frequently, and champagne occasionally.

Monday, August 1. Dear Frances delirious all night, and dreadfully exhausted in the morning. When the doctor came he discovered that there was an internal rupture of the stomach; this was terribly sad news for me, for he held out no hope of recovery. It was a fearful shock to all of us, and God took her from us at a 12:45 o’clock midday. She was quite unconscious, and died with the bright smile on her face. Mrs Cleveley the Coachman’s wife and Mrs Davies who washes for us were with her all the morning until she died. We were all suddenly plunged in deep sorrow, a sorrow which never can be forgotten. My dear wife was a most devoted mother to her children and a wife who could scarcely be equalled in her sphere of life. She is well and truthfully described in Proverbs, chapter 31 , verses 27 and 28.

Frances sang as part of her Uncle William Pamplin’s choir ‘Sacred Melodies’. She is probably standing extreme right (unconfirmed)

Willie returned to his work in the evening. Mrs Cleveley kindly made room for the two boys, Henry and Alfred to sleep at her house, and I slept or tried to sleep in their room. We had a sad house.

So, with terrible suddenness, Thomas became a widower for a second time, leaving the children of their marriage: Henry, 16, Frances Harriet (Francie) 14, Caroline Elizabeth (Carrie) 13, Amelia Agnes (Millie) 11 and Alfred Williams (Alfie) 8.

A new Interest with an old Friend 1898

Thomas Mellard Reade Liverpool University Library.
No copyright infringement intended

Thomas was always keen to engage with a new interest, often when encouraged by a friend who was researching a different area of geology or topography from Thomas’ own Silurian interest. In 1892 he had assisted A.C. Nicholson of Oswestry, Shropshire, in details of Nicholson’s paper on glacial deposits, thus moving on many millions of years in geological time. Now, in 1898 a new interest appears, spurred by his friend Mellard Reade -the research of hilltop perhistoric fortifications, a topic that would continue to absorb Ruddy for several years following.

Saturday the 23^rd [July]  I left for Bala at 2.10 where I was met by my friend Mr Mellard Reade and his stepdaughter, Miss Taylor to take me to Cerrig-y-Druidion to be their guest until Monday afternoon.On arrival at Penybryn, their lodgings, we had a comfortable tea, which I much enjoyed.  Penybryn is situated on the bank a short way from the Saracens Head inn. There is a Methodist chapel and a few houses between Penybryn and the Saracen with the brook which falls into the Ceirw river. After tea Mr Reade and I went to see the ancient encampment of Penygaer, locally called Penymount.

After some research, I estimate this to be the encampment now known as Caer Caeadog, SH967478.

Caer Caradog, photographed by Eirian Evans, via Geograph

 Thomas gives a detailed description: The camp is of nearly circular form; about three and a half acres in extent and is surrounded by a deep trench, 6 feet in depth; the excavated shale and earth thrown up to make an embankment on the inner edge of the trench.  The solid shale 7 yards wide is left to form an entrance over the trench on the east side; another entrance being left on the west side.  The ground slopes moderately steep on the south east to west; there is but little slope from the north west to the east Mr Reade stepped the ground and I measured it with my yardstick; we made it 178 yards east to west by 143 yards north to south. The surface is glassy and moderately even. I could not see any water near. Part of the trench is through shale rock. I think there must have been a wall round it.  There is now a stone wall through the middle of it north to south and walls are everywhere near it. It overlooks an old road, 150 yards off.

We had supper on our return and spent the rest of the evening happily together. I went to sleep at the Saracens Head because there was no room for me at the farmhouse of Penybryn.

The Saracen’s Head, now closed.

The following day, Sunday the 24^th, Ruddy and Reade went for a walk on the hill of Rhos Gwern Nannau.  It was a little cooler on the top, but the sun was very trying and I felt very thirsty. We had an extensive views from the top; West of us were Aran and the Areigs, North the Snowdonian mountains.  There were interesting glacial terraces on the side of the hill one above another with great depth of drift. The boulders were of the Arenig type.  

After tea they walked through the village, making geological and botanical observations as they went.. The road we followed was evidently the one used before the Holyhead road was made,  all along the road in the wall and on the roadside were large and small boulders of conglomerate which puzzled us much; I have never seen such course conglomerate anywhere else in Wales. I first thought it might be a nodular ash rock which Ramsey describes in Vol III Geological Survey Page 93; but the boulders of the conglomerate were too plentiful to be from inconsiderable patches of ash rock, and they varied in composition from rather fine water worn pebbles to pebbles the size of eggs. 

I found the Teesdalia plentifully on a wall beyond the village on the Denbigh road, and the birdsfoot (Ornithopus) in several places. Lipidium Smithii crow-wheat Hypericum humifusa, and Bog Asphodel on the way. After supper, we had much to talk about until bedtime. The walk was very enjoyable.

On Monday the 25^th the two men continued their expeditions in the local area, taking note of the geology at every turn. Just on the south side of the stream there is gravel mound of much interest; this is Mr Reade wished me to see.  It is composed of layers of fine sand and gravel of glacial origin.  The top of the mound is 900 feet above sea level, and the mound is 35 feet in height. There are several others of the same sort, and one at Tynyfelin on the Glasfryn side.  I found the water-worn pebbles large and small of Bala shale, Arenig ashes conglomerate etc. There were several large Arenig ash boulders on the side of the road crossing the Meadows.  

We returned to be in time for dinner, and after dinner we all left in the trap for Corwen.  We had a very pleasant drive of 10 miles along the Holyhead Road all the way and got to Corwen at 4 o’clock; then had tea and after some shopping I was driven to the station in time for the 5 o’clock train where my kind friends took leave of me and returned to Cerrig y Druidion.

Arenig Ash rock, photo Earthwise, British Geological Survey. No copyright infringement intended.

Thomas rarely, if ever, left his family home overnight. This short trip with a trusted geological friend was a rare opportunity for such enjoyment. Little did he know the tragedy that he would find infolding at home.

A Patriotic Victorian Evening 1898

Llandderfel school in the early 1890’s AAR – Millie; CAR – Carrie

The last decade of the nineteenth century saw a large number of home- grown entertainments, concerts, musical and dramatic evenings becoming increasingly popular, and members of the Ruddy family both attending and taking part. Thomas’ account from April 1898 gives a very clear idea of one such entertainment. the patriotic nature of the event seems characteristic of the times.

Easter Monday the 11^th. We had ‘Living Pictures’ in the village school in the evening. Alfred represented the “Young Britain” with a supposed old soldier. His best was as “Bubbles”. He was in costume of black velveteen edged with lace and frills and a pipe for the soap bubbles. He looked exactly like the picture called Bubbles. His beautiful curly hair and costume coming out well. He sat perfectly still.

Carrie acted in the picture of ‘Don’t Move” with Mr Armstrong as a soldier. She had to kiss him under the mistletoe. She did it well in primrose frock and tan stockings. The best picture of the evening was the “United Kingdom”. Francie represented England in a white long frock, a haymaker’s hat trimmed with pink Roses and carrying a basket of pink roses (artificial); Carrie represented Scotland in tartan frock and shoulder sash, tam-o’-shanter cap with our real dried fish sauce in it from my collection and a globe artichoke head (old one) with leaves as a thistle in her hand. Millie was in green frock and hood with the garlands of large artificial shamrocks to represent Ireland. Gladys Williams, a little girl represented Wales. Each appeared in turn first, then all together with a garland flowers entwining them. The girls looked splendid and stood perfectly still each time.

The musical party from Liverpool who usually come here at Easter sang Rule Britannia when the picture was on view. The school room was crammed full of people. There was not a hitch in the whole affair. It was a very wet day and evening for it too. We had to provide the costumes for all of ours.

Such patriotic occasions lasted well into the 20th century. This photograph from the 1920s demonstrates several of the costumes described by Thomas in the journal.

1896: Days Out

Llandudno pier in the Edwardian era – a little later than our report.

The journal for 1896 demonstrates the growing propensity of late Victorian society to indulge in days away from work, and the Ruddy family’s more expansive lifestyle in this decade reflects a society which is confident and growing in affluence. Thomas provides two very detailed accounts of days of relaxation, from which I shall draw extracts.

A day trip to Llandudno

Thursday June the 25^th. All of us went by an excursion train to Llandudno. We were up very early and all were excited about going. We left the station about 6.30, the Cleveley family and we got carriage to ourselves. The elderflower was very showy all the way along the route. We saw Denbigh Castle ruins perched upon the limestone crag and the Cathedral of St Asaph very distinctly. I was much pleased to see the ivy-covered ruins of Rhuddlan Castle when nearing Rhyl. … As we passed along to Deganwy we could see the tubular railway bridge and suspension bridge for a roadway spanning the river Conway. The river widens to a broad estuary above and below the town.

We arrived at Llandudno at 9:15. The children were all excitement to go digging in the sands, but as the tide was up to the promenade, there were no signs visible. To pass the time we went on to the Great Orme at Happy Valley, all rather on the rocky heights near the Camera Obscura. Here we had some sandwiches and enjoyed the beautiful views of sea and land….The Happy Valley is a sheltered spot shut out from the town where there are amusements and other recreations. The Great Orme is a delightful place and it is happy hunting ground for a botanist.

We spent some time at the Camera Obscura and then Francis and the little ones returned to the town so as to get on the sands as the tide was going out. Henry and I commenced botanising the rocks and thickets. [Later] We made our way to the sands where we found our party sand hopping to the great delight of the little ones.

We had a look around the town and through the market Hall, and left for home at a little after 7 o’clock. We all enjoyed our visit and had a beautiful day there. We got home safely; Alfie had a good sleep on the way.

We see here the typical pattern of a family day out at the seaside, as familiar now as in the last decade of the 19th Century.

The Shrewsbury Show

Thursday the 20^th [August] Sir Henry kindly asked me to go to Shrewsbury Show. He also said I was to take Frances with me and that he would pay our expenses. We got to Shrewsbury by 1.30. We walked up to the show ground in the Quarry where we arrived about 2 o’clock. My first object was to see some coniferous trees, sweet peas, Cactus, dahlias etc which Sir Henry wished me to see and take note of. These were very good and great novelties. I was much pleased to see the collections of fruit, specimen plants, vegetables, herbaceous and other plants.

I was much pleased to see all there was to be seen, and so was Frances. The arrangements were perfect in every way. There were thousands of people there, the papers say over 60,000 and 10,000 the day previous Wednesday Henry, Lady Robertson and party were there. We went down to the Severn which winds halfway around the Quarry. It was not very wide. The ground slopes steeply up from the river on the opposite side to villas on the top, and we saw the Kingsland bridge spanning the river near the Showground. There is a remarkable avenue of elm trees in the Quarry, said to have been planted in one day.

We had tea in a tent, then watch the flying fish, (a fish – like balloon) ascend to a great height and float over the town. There were two gentlemen in it. There was a huge balloon there which went up two or three times some height and was pulled down again by rope. The music was by the Band of the Royal Horse Guards, a sufficient guarantee for its quality. We saw wonderful performance on bicycles by the Selbini troupe. One young lady could do anything on her bicycle. She went round on one foot, on her hands, and even on one wheel; making but little use of her hands. The Blondin Donkey performance by the brothers Griffiths was very amusing and clever. The donkey was a man in donkey skin. The Eugenes displayed marvellous agility on the high trapeze.

The streets of the town were decorated, and thronged with people. We had a slight mishap at the station before we left, for Frances had a memorandum book picked from her pocket by a man who was captured in the act by a detective. This scamp thought he had something of value. We had to go to the superintendent’s office to identify the book and give our name and address. The train was kept waiting for us until we were ready. We had been very careful all day without pockets and watches. We got home by the last train, and with the exception of the pocket picking, we highly enjoyed our outing.

The range of amusements seems typical of those available in the expansive late Victorian era, but as we see, there was accompanying crime. The police detective service seems to have been well trained to cope with such large public events.