298 FEU I! IKS AXD XAVIGAI5LK UIVKUS. PART IV. 



across from Pettyeur being only seven miles. This state 

 of things, we need scarcely add, lias been entirely altered 

 by the facilities afforded by modern steam-navigation. 



The passage of the Bristol Channel was equally un- 

 certain and dangerous. Grilpiii gives a graphic account 

 of the perils of his voyage across from Cardiff in 1770, 

 in his ' Observations on the River Wye.' On descending 

 towards the beach he heard the ferryman winding his 

 horn, as a signal to bring down the horses. The old 

 ferry-boat was usually furnished with falling ends for 

 the admission of cattle and heavy articles; and when 

 the ferry was across a river, there was usually a chain 

 passing along the side of the boat on pulleys, and fixed 

 to each bank, by which it was hauled across. But from 

 Cardiff to the other side of the Bristol Channel was 

 several miles, and it was accordingly rather of the nature 

 of a voyage. The same morning on which Grilpiii crossed, 

 the. ferry-boat had made one ineffectual attempt to make 

 the further side at high water ; but after toiling three 

 hours against the wind, it had been obliged to put back'. 

 When the horses were all on board, the horn again 

 sounded for the passengers. " A very multifarious 

 company assembled," says Gilpin, " and a miserable 

 walk we had to the boat, through sludge, and over 

 shelving, slippery rocks. When we got to it we found 

 eleven horses on board and above thirty people ; and our 

 chaise (which we had intended to convert into a cabin 

 during the voyage) slung into the shrouds. The boat, 

 after some struggling with the shelves, at length gained 

 the channel. After beating about near two hours a ga i n st 

 the wind our voyage concluded, as it began, with an 

 uncomfortable walk through the sludge to high-water 

 mark." The passage of this ferry was often attended 

 with loss of life, when the tide ran strong and the wind 

 blew up channel. Moreover, the ferrymen were by no 

 means skilful in the management of the boat. A British 

 admiral, who arrived at one of these ferries, and in- 



