Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 3.djvu/140

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s. m. FEB. 17, 1917.

adviser of the Duke of Bridgewater. He and Brindley had co-operated in the making of the canal, and in 1772, on the death of the engineer, Mr. Gilbert took charge of the subsequent work. The wonderful tunnels at Worsley by means of which the coal-boats travel many miles underground, were counted marvels of engineering^ and people came from all parts of the world to see them. In 1768 the King of Denmark inspected the tunnels, which were then only some two miles in length, but within a few years they had extended to forty miles. The refer- ence in the diary to the " long, narrow boat adapted to the purpose " suggests that the writer of the diary inspected these tunnels.

On Sunday, Oct. 13, the diarist was evi- dently in Manchester, as was quite probable, it being only some five or six miles from Worsley, and offering more choice of accom- modation. The Bull's Head still exists as a flourishing hotel. At the time referred to it was the leading hotel of the town, pa- tronized at times by crowned heads and by heads which aspired to be crowned. As the diarist had not too much money at command, it was unfortunate that he cnose to stay at this hotel rather than at one of less celebrity.

The " new church built in the Gothic taste " I take to be St. John's Church, in Byrom Street, Manchester. The church was built b3 ? Mr. Edward Byrom in 1769. The diary says: "Round this church is a square of houses, likewise built in the Gothic style." I do not think that the houses were ever in the Gothic style, but quite near to the church, which then stood in open fields, there were erected somewhere about that time three sides of a large square abutting on Quay Street. This space has never been built on, and is to-day a public recreation ground. The " new church " could not be .at Worsley, where the church was only erected in 1846, nor can the words refer to the fine Gothic church at Monton, near to Worsley, for this was not built until 1829.

The references to " floods " are appro- priate to Manchester, which' at that period suffered every few years from flooding by the winding river overflowing its banks. " The Bridge " would be the old Salford Bridge which connected the two townships. " The houses on the other side of the river suggest " Salford." The reference to "" another bridge only for foot-passengers, made of wood," shows that the travellers made their way back into Manchester by recrossing the river at Blackfriars Street,
 * are called ...." For this hiatus I would

where the old trestle bridge, erected by a theatrical company as a private venture to provide access to their entertainment, still existed, and, indeed, was not removed until 1817. Illustrations of this trestle bridge are well known.

Particulars of the persons and places mentioned above will be found in Barnes's ' History of Lancashire,' and in the works of Messrs. Procter, Swindells, Slugg, and other local historians. They would occupy too much space to give in these pages.

In the search for the true author of the diary, perhaps some guidance may be found in the fact that it contains so many refer- ences to architectural and engineering matters. The author was accompanied by an escort of cavalry, and I would suggest that he may have been a military engineer making a professional tour of inspection of works of interest then in progress.

ARTHUR BOWES.

Newton-le-Willows, Lanes.

Friday, Oct. 11. "The Brick House," Warrington, is no doubt Bank Hall, which, says Baines (' Hist. Lane.' vol. iv., p. 430, edition 1888), " Thomas Patten built in 1750, the foundation being laid in copper slag, cast in moulds and set like masonry." It is now (1917) the Town Hall of Warrington. Warrington Academy, says the same au- thority, founded 1757, was dissolved 1786.

Saturday, Oct. 12. The " boat " service referred to is evidently the one established in 1774 by the famous Duke of Bridge- water, when two packets, towed by two horses each, sailed daily to and from War- rington, fares Is. to 2s. 6d., via the recently constructed Bridgewater Canal.

P. 22, col. 1, 1. 6. " The large moor or quicksand " is probably the well-known Chat Moss, beyond Worsley, an extensive bog- land which in later years gaVe great trouble to George Stephenson.

Sunday, Oct. 13, the diarist spent in Manchester. Before the making of the great Ship Canal it was almost an annual occurrence for the impetuous Irwell to " overflow its banks," and " to come down at a great rate," oftentimes to the exceeding discomfort of the riparian inhabitants of Manchester and Salford. The last watery visitation (a dreadful one) was in 1866.

By the " Houses on the other side " is meant the neighbour borough of Salford, access to which, hereabouts, was limited to the road across Salford Old Bridge (a fine Edwardian structure of three arches) and the foot-bridge of wood at Blackfriars