Industrial arts -- Biography; Inventors -- Biography
Bianconi did a great stroke of business at the Waterford election of
1826. Indeed it was the turning point of his fortunes. He was at
first greatly cramped for capital. The expense of maintaining and
increasing his stock of cars, and of foddering his horses was very
great; and he was always on the look-out for more capital. When the
Waterford election took place, the Beresford party, then all-powerful,
engaged all his cars to drive the electors to the poll. The popular
party, however, started a candidate, and applied to Bianconi for help.
But he could not comply, for his cars were all engaged. The morning
after his refusal of the application, Bianconi was pelted with mud.
One or two of his cars and horses were heaved over the bridge.
Bianconi then wrote to Beresford's agent, stating that he could no
longer risk the lives of his drivers and his horses, and desiring to be
released from his engagement. The Beresford party had no desire to
endanger the lives of the car-drivers or their horses, and they set
Bianconi free. He then engaged with the popular party, and enabled
them to win the election. For this he was paid the sum of a thousand
pounds. This access of capital was greatly helpful to him under the
circumstances. He was able to command the market, both for horses and
fodder. He was also placed in a position to extend the area of his car
routes.
He now found time, amidst his numerous avocations, to get married! He
was forty years of age before this event occurred. He married Eliza
Hayes, some twenty years younger than himself, the daughter of Patrick
Hayes, of Dublin, and of Henrietta Burton, an English-woman. The
marriage was celebrated on the 14th of February, 1827; and the ceremony
was performed by the late Archbishop Murray. Mr. Bianconi must now
have been in good circumstances, as he settled two thousand pounds upon
his wife on their marriage-day. His early married life was divided
between his cars, electioneering, and Repeal agitation--for he was
always a great ally of O'Connell. Though he joined in the Repeal
movement, his sympathies were not with it; for he preferred Imperial to
Home Rule. But he could never deny himself the pleasure of following
O'Connell, "right or wrong."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account