Page:Walker (1888) The Severn Tunnel.djvu/113

56 Thus ended the year 1880, the first year of the works.

It was well for us that we had not known all the difficulties we were to encounter when we entered on the work, almost with a light heart, on the January previous.

In addition to the work in the tunnel considerable progress had been made in providing dwellings for the men, and other things for their accommodation. On the first plot of leased land six large houses had been built, which were each capable of holding two married couples and about twelve lodgers. Six smaller houses to accommodate a married couple and six or eight lodgers had been erected, as well as small houses for a married couple and two or three lodgers or children, and a number of semi-detached houses of a better class had been provided for foremen. A very good house, situated close to the shaft and the bank of the river, had been built for the principal foreman, Joseph Talbot, and was occupied by him and his family.

The brickyard had been thoroughly started, and the large crushing-mill for crushing the hard shale for making blue bricks was nearly completed.

A mission hall had been built, and arrangements made for a supply of preachers, principally from the Evangelization Society, and services were held on Sundays and Wednesdays. A day-school for the children had also been opened, and was in full working order, as well as a Sunday-school, which was