"A Russian Visitor to Bangor in 1860"

Name of traveller

Ви́ктор Ива́нович Зару́дный (Viktor Ivanovich Zarudny) (1828-1897)

Reason for travel

• return from Ireland
• study of modern infrastructure

Date of travel

September 1860

Here I must say a few words about the working horses. These horses are distinguished by their stature and especially by their legs, which in size and strength resemble hundred-year-old oak trees. . . . I could not believe my own eyes, that this domesticated animal should have such massive legs, like an elephant or a hippopotamus. ([Zarudny] 45)

Content

• architecture: praises the Britannia Bridge as a Modern Wonder of the world and provides a detailed description
• clothing: describes the female Welsh costume as truly original, but is puzzled by the tall hats
• customs: Bangor streets richly decorated and illuminated in celebration of the wedding of George Sholto Gordon Douglas-Pennant, 2nd Baron Penrhyn of Llandegai (1836-1907) and Pamela Blanche Rushout (1839-1870)
• industry: inspects Penrhyn Quarry, describes the work undertaken there and marvels at the working ponies
• people: in awe of Robert Stephenson's (1803-1859) accomplishments as architect and full of praise for his character
• terrain:
  
  • describes the general layout of Bangor
  • brief note on the charming rural surroundings of Bangor; fond of the mountains
• transport:
  • modes of travel: cab; express train; on foot; steamboat
  • points out that pre-booked train tickets allow travellers to break their journey for the night on a preselected station in north Wales
  • brief summary of travel times by boat and train between Dublin and London via the north Wales coast
• Russian original published in the literary journal: Современная Летопись Русского Вестника 32 (1861): 26-8. Print.

Nationality of traveller

Imperial Russian

Language of publication

translation: English; Russian

Gender of traveller

Male

Type of publication

travelogue

Citation

[Zarudny, Viktor Ivanovich] and William Linnard, trans. "A Russian Visitor to Bangor in 1860." Caernarvonshire Historical Society Transactions / Cymdeithas Hanes Sir Gaernarfon Trafodion 48 (1987): 41-46. Print.