York
Tuesday 29 July 45
My Dear Constance
Yesterday Mr C. Jones <1> arrived, having come from Bristol in one day – He says he was very near having a fatal misadventure and that the York terminus was nearly being his terminus. When near York, the luggage on the top of the railway carriage took fire, and as soon as this accident became known a gentleman exclaimed Oh! the gunpowder! Being asked what he meant, he said he had 4 pounds of gunpowder inside his portmanteau! As there was no escape they had to wait patiently till the train stopped; and jumped out at York before the flames had communicated to this fatal portmanteau.
Mr Jones does not seem the worse for his fright, for he got up extremely early this morning & took a long walk thro’ the City, studying the points of view, before breakfast – We took 12 views of York today, most of them good – crowds of admiring spectators surrounded the Camera wherever we planted it.
There is a new railroad open from here to Scarborough; so I went to see it, and returned next day – The scenery on the banks of the Yorkshire Derwent is very pretty the railroad takes a most beautiful Course through that valley, & an amphitheatre of woods surmounts the view This is about ½ way to Scarborough – another part of the railway crosses desolate heaths. a <sic> new hotel at Scarborough just open is one of the largest in England; much splendour, but apparently little comfort – a fine situation on a cliff by the Sea.
Your affte
Henry
The Service in York Minster with the organ is incomparable.Notes:
1. Rev Calvert Richard Jones (1802–1877), Welsh painter & photographer.