Читать книгу The Cambrian Tourist, or, Post-Chaise Companion through Wales: 1834 онлайн

33 страница из 47

Frenchhay, in Gloucestershire, is about four miles north-east of Bristol; the drive this way is beautiful, from the numerous noblemen and gentlemens’ seats and highly cultivated grounds, which occupy both sides of the road. It was here, during the war, that the great depôt of French prisoners was established.

At the east end of the common is a remarkable lusus naturæ, which was taken out of a stone quarry at Downend; its form is an entire perfect muscle, consisting of the upper and under shell, which are closed together; its weight is nearly two tons.

Bristol is but one stage from either the Old or New Passage; it is eleven miles to the New, and nine to the Old. The mail and most of the coaches pass their passengers, &c. by the New Passage, as saving a stage on the Milford road. Chaises or horses are generally charged at the rate of twelve miles to either.

At Aust (or the Old Passage) it is about two miles over to Beachley, in the parish of Tidenham, Gloucestershire. This is the direct way to Chepstow, Newent, and all the forest of Dean, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and the upper part of Monmouthshire.