The Fishguard Invasion by the French in 1797; Some Passages Taken from the Diary of the Late Reverend Daniel Rowlands (Paperback)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER II. THE LANDING. Besides Mr. Williams' John, who had been despatched at full speed to St. David's to rouse the inhabitants, another man was sent to give the news to the Lord-Lieutenant of the county, while others wended their way to various points on the range of mountains which divides Pembrokeshire into two parts; the result of their mission being apparent when night fell and beacons flared along the line of heights from Vrenny Vawr to Carn Englyn?the mountain of the angels, so named from the angel-visits received by a pious hermit who dwelt Carregwastad. o: thereon, and who probably lacked more ordinary society. Many other messengers were sent in various directions, but though in this way persons at a distance were warned of danger, many of those who dwelt close by were as yet insensible of it. Chiefest of these was the owner of the old manor house, Tre- howel, situated just above the bay where the ships were lying-to?of which house we shall hear more anon. Mr. Mortimer was of a generous and confiding disposition ?and, as a bishop should be, he was in truth?much given to hospitality. He was, moreover, about to celebrate the marriage of his son, and he had made ample provision of cakes and ale, not to mention meats and spirits for this purpose. The wedding was to be on the following day (Thursday, the 23rd of February, to be exact); the new daughter-in-law was muchto his mind, and therefore heart and hand were even more lavish than usual, when, looking out seaward from amidst the bridal greenery, his spirit was stirred within him by the sight of the British flag. Nothing would serve this hospitable gentleman but that the English officers should partake of his good cheer; so his orders flew forth in every direction?compliments and invitations to the offi...