The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places and Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 2Finden, W. (William)
History
The Ports, Harbours, Watering-places and Picturesque Scenery of Great Britain Vol. 2
Finden, W. (William)
Coasts -- Great Britain -- Pictorial works; Great Britain -- Pictorial works
Holyhead is familiar to every reader as the favourite point of
rendezvous for all who are on their way to the Irish capital. By the
admirable arrangements of the Post-office, and the sure and
swift-sailing packets that are here in regular attendance, a passage
across the Channel is now a matter of as much certainty, as to time, as
that of the mail from London. The perfect order and the surprising
expedition with which passengers and despatches may thus be forwarded to
and from Dublin are the general theme of admiration amongst foreigners,
and a means of vast accommodation to our own commercial houses. During a
long series of years the improvement of Holyhead has engaged the special
attention of Government; every suggestion, entitled to the approbation
of skilful and experienced engineers, has been liberally carried into
effect: so that in the present day it seems hardly possible that any
packet-station can offer greater facilities for all the purposes of
Government, or for the interests of social and commercial intercourse,
than Holyhead. The steam-vessels which carry the daily mails are of the
best possible construction, commanded by experienced naval officers, and
affording excellent accommodation for the passengers who are constantly
passing to and fro between the British and Irish shores.
The harbour of Holyhead is shaped by the natural cliffs which overhang
the sea, on the verge of which stand the ancient sanctuary of the place
and its cemetery. The foundation of this church--originally a small
monastery--dates from the close of the fourth century: it was long
afterwards remodelled into a college of presbyters by one of the Lords
of Anglesey; and, after undergoing many alterations suitable to the
varying taste of the ages through which it has passed, it assumed its
present appearance--that of an embattled edifice built in the shape of a
cross.
Under the Head--the mountain from which the harbour takes its name, and
which overshadows the town--are two rocky eminences nearly opposite the
church, both of which are crowned with ruins which carry the mind far
back among the bright days of Cambrian independence. In the rock is a
wide and lofty cavern, supported by natural columns, on which tradition
has conferred the title of the Parliament-house; and it is not to be
denied that patriotic legislators have been often worse accommodated.
This curiosity requires to be visited in a boat. On the highest point
stands an uncemented circular stone wall, about ten feet in
circumference, which is conjectured to have served as a _pharos_ in
ancient times; for this coast has a perilous celebrity attached to it,
and no vessel could safely approach the haven by night without a warning
signal of this kind.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account