"Oxford, und die Englischen Fabrikdistricte, im Februar 1829"

Name of traveller

Johann Friedrich Ludwig Hausmann (1782-1859)

Reason for travel

  • inspection of factories and industrial architecture

Date of travel

21-23, 25-28 February 1829

Um sieben Uhr erwachte ich nach einem erquickenden Schlafe in einem gewaltigen Bette. Ich schlug den schweren Stoff der Umhänge zur Seite, und erblickte das Meer, und die gegenüber liegende, nahe der Küste der Insel Anglesea. Noch einmal kehrte ich zum warmen Bette zurpck, und ließ meinen Blick auf dem ruhigen, klaren, von der Morgensonne erhellten Wasserspiegel ruhen. Die Stimmung meines Innern war ihm ähnlich. (Hausmann 354-5)

Content

  • architecture:
    • notes the dominating character of industrial architecture
    • inspection and detailed description of the Menai Suspension Bridge; impressed by the great structure and beauty of the bridge
  • industry:
    • guided tour through the Dee Bank Lead works in Bagillt thanks to a reference by the civil engineer John Taylor (1779-1863)
    • detailed description of production processes in the Dee Bank Lead works
    • inspection of ironworks in Nantyglo under guidance of its owner, Crawshay Bailey (1789-1872); impressed by the size of the works and detailed description of their strategic layout and modes of production
    • inspection of Pen-y-darren Iron Work under guidance of the foreman who is happy to welcome especially German visitors; detailed description of the modes of production
    • inspection of Swansea's largest copper works owned by Vivian & Sons
  • language: finds the the Welsh language entirely incomprehensible
  • recreation:
    • friendly, good service and room at the Penrhyn Arms Hotel, Bangor
    • goes rambling around Bangor during the afternoon of his birthday
  • terrain:
    • conflation of Wales and England
    • rain and dusk spoil the views of the coastal area on the journey to Bangor; increasingly high mountains and pleasant country estates and parks along the road
    • interested in geological properties around Bangor
    • comparison of the Bangor area with the southern parts of the Black Forest in Germany
    • valley between Abergavenny and Merthyr Tydfil filled with ironworks which turn into an impressive spectacle at night
    • Swansea pleasantly situated by the sea
  • transport:
    • modes of travel: boat; hired carriage; on foot; post chaise; mail coach
    • often travels in rainy, sometimes snowy weather owing to the season; prevents him from enjoying the landscape from the roof of the mail coaches
    • post chaises described as very elegant and very comfortable, but also very expensive
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Nationality of traveller

German

Language of publication

German

Gender of traveller

Male

Type of publication

diary

Citation

Hausmann, Joh[ann] Friedr[ich] Ludw[ig]. "Oxford, und die Englischen Fabrikdistricte, im Februar 1829." Aus dem Tagebuche einer Reise durch Holland, Belgien, Frankreich und England, in den Jahren 1828 un 1829. Kleinigkeiten in bunter Reihe. Bemerkungen und Betrachtungen über Gegenstände der Natur und Kunst. Vol. 2. Göttingen: Verlag der Dieterichschen Buchhandlung, 1859. 353-70. Print.

Entry created: 20 October 2015
Entry last updated: 23 September 2016