Two Hundred and Fifty Miles through North Wales: Day 10

They take in the sights of Chester, noting the Roman Remains, the Cathedral, the Churches, the Castle and the Rows.  They spend a few hours fishing in the river Dee, and depart on the train from Chester through to Longsight at 6.25.  They express their gratitude to Mr and Mrs Ryley, and how the journey was a ‘success in every way’.

DD/DM/1113- Map of the route taken from the original diary, 'Two hundred and fifty miles through North Wales on a wagonette'

Tenth Day

Wednesday 24^th September 1890

Chester to Longsight

Awake pretty early, looking round the old ancient city of Chester.  I visited a place known as Gods providence, this house has the motto carved upon the beam “Gods providence is mine inheritance 1652”, alluding to a time when the plague devastated the city, the inhabitants of this house being the only ones who escaped the city walls.  The Roman remains, the Cathedral, the Churches, the Castle and old houses are all noteworthy, but the chief attraction of the place which entitles it to rank as the most remarkable city in Great Britain is the peculiar construction of the buildings, forming the four main streets called the Rows, relics of olden times, little is known of its history prior to the Norman Conquest.  In 603 Ethelred devastated the city and slew the King of Powis.  It was destroyed by the Danes in 864 and rebuilt by the Earl of Mercia.  Since these stirring times it would fill a volume writing the important parts it has played in the Countrys history.

I spent a few hours fishing in the Dee with Ellis, result nothing.  After dinner Ellis’s recent purchase a black horse “Doctor” arrived, he was put in the dog cart for a trial and we had a pleasant drive through Dicksons Nursery Gardens.  After tea our time was limited so we had to pack up ready for the train to Lonsight.  Finale, mutual shakings of hands etc etc etc.  In the Landau for the station, off by the 6.25 train, change at Crewe and Stockport and home again safe and sound about 8 o’clock.

We cannot sufficiently express in words how much we feel indebted to both Mr and Mrs Ryley for the many kindnesses shewn to us during our trip, they were more than kind, we feel we can never repay them, and if they have only enjoyed the out as much as we have, it must have been a success in every way.  We shall remember so long as we live the lovely scenery we passed through, the pleasant company we met, and the agreeable manner in which each one of us tried to amuse each other.

So now Mr and Mrs Ryley accept our very best thanks for your kindness and hospitality, and when we meet at Chester may we have another little drive into the wilds of Wales and sit down near some pretty little Welsh Church where there is no bellman, and in his place may we hear poor taffy ringing out from his throttle,

“Shon Morgan, Shon Shones,

  Shon Morgan, Shon Shones,

  Shon Shenkin, Shon Morgan,

  Shon Shenkin, Shon Shones.”

Again thanking you for your kindness, we have pleasure in subscribing ourselves.

Most respectfully yours

Edwin John Reynolds

Emma M Reynolds

October 1890

Records relating to Chester are held by the Cheshire Archive Service.  More information about their holdings is available at:

http://archive.cheshire.gov.uk/dserve/DServe.exe?dsqApp=Archive&dsqCmd=Index.tcl

Tags: Archives, Chester, Local History, Record Office