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The communication of this place with the opposite side of the country, is kept open by means of a ferry boat, which conveys over both horse and foot passenThe parish is supplied with coal from the Forest

gers.
of Dean.

A few fields below, on the opposite bank of the river, bring us to

REDBROOK.

This industrious hamlet is divided into two parts, and distinguished by the names of Upper and Lower Redbrook works, from standing one above the other on the, bank of the Wye, part of which is situated in Monmouth and part in Glocestershire, a small brook adjoining the turnpike road, that emptics itself into the Wye, dividing the two counties; but both works are in the parish of New-Land, in the latter county. Upper Redbrook forms part of the estate of the Right Hon. Lord Viscount Gage, whose seat was at High Meadow, about two miles distant, who owns an extensive property in the parish and neighbourhood: the works, which consist of a furnace, forge, and rolling mill, are held under his Lordship, by Messrs. Davis, Hall, and Co. who succeeded Mr. Tanner, their late occupier.

Lower Redbrook works, were formerly the property of the English Copper Company in London, who carried on a considerable trade in that line here, till they sold them to Mr. Tanner, before mentioned: they are now held under his assignees by Messrs. Cowley, James, and Co. and consist of two rolling mills, two forges, and an extensive work for rolling tin plates.

The

The situation is particularly favorable for carrying on such commercial concerns, having the advantage of a navigable river, open to all parts of the kingdom; while the Bristol and London markets afford a plentiful demand for the whole production of their manufactories.

The stream which considerably supplies the wheels, is one of the greatest curiosities of the kind in the kingdom. It issues at the bottom of a grand woody hill, and is formed by three distinct streams, which pour their contents into a bason, that empties itself into an adjoining pool, discharging a large and unceasing torrent of water at all seasons of the year.

The valuable right of fishery, from Redbrook to Bick'swear, on the left side of the river, was formerly the property of the Right Hon. Lord Sherborne, but now belongs to the Rev. John Powell, of Monmouth, in right of his late purchase of Wye-seal estate from that nobleman, noticed in the Walk lower down. It is at present rented under Mr. Powell by Mr. Taylor, who here resides. The Salmon are generally sent to the Bristol and London markets. The right side belongs to the Duke of Beaufort, who owns the fisheries, with trifling exception, from Monmouth to Chepstow.

We here take leave of the noise of commercial life, nor do we again meet with it, till the hammers at Tintern recal the busy scenes to our recollection.

The verdant meadows again spread themselves before us, while the lofty woods, which before had only cloathed one, begin now to decorate both sides of the stream.

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The mind too assumes her former tone of contemplation, from whence it had been led astray; for scenes, purely pastoral, now decorate the path.

Pursuing this course for two miles, we come in view of WYE-SEAL.

This estate, which is situate in the parish of NewLand, is said to have belonged, some years since, to the Dean and Chapter of Hereford. It was late the property of Lord Sherborne, who in September 1800, sold it by public auction to the Rev. J. Powell, of Monmouth, in whose possession it now remains. The house occupies a gentle rise on the left bank of the river, backed by grand woods, and fronted by valuable meadow land, interspersed with rich orcharding and fruit trees, which produce the best kinds of cider and perry.

On the opposite side of the river stands the hamlet of

WHITEBROOK,

So called, to distinguish it from Redbrook, two miles above. It forms part of the parish of Landoga, and is situate in a confined dell, inclosed with woods on each side to a considerable height, and is watered by a valu able stream, that rises in Penalt common, to which it adjoins. This place was originally settled by Germans or Swedes, who first introduced the making of WIRE into this kingdom, and who here practised their art; a more particular account of which will be given under those at Tintern Abbey. On their ruins (through the use of machinery, instead cf bodily labour), have been

erected

erected three large PAPER MILLS, the property of Kingsmill Grove, esq. of Thornbury.

From under the roots of a large oak tree, issues a SPRING, of the highest value to the manufactory for washing water, which yields a plentiful supply at all times of the year. Nothing can exceed the utility of this little stream, which unites the clearness of spring with the softness of river water, a singular combination, and from whence the place might justly take its name. The present occupiers of the works are the house of Pountney and Co. on the Bridge, Bristol, conducted by their partner Mr. Brown, who here resides. The whole of the manufactory is consigned to the above city, to which it finds a ready, as well as cheap, water conveyance, and from whence they receive their raw materials.

The eminence odjoining, crowned with a Maypole, is called PEN-Y-WALE HILL, and is the place of meeting for all the lads and lasses round the neighbourhood, when they indulge in their village gambols. May Day was formerly celebrated with great rejoicings, in this part of the kingdom, but at present the return of this pleasing season is not distinguished openly from any other part of the year.

A little distance lower down, in the same parish and side of the river, stands

PILSTONE,

An ancient Manor House, now in ruins, a fate which appears attendant on them all. This estate was for

many

many years the property and residence of the PERKINS family, the melancholy fate of whose last owner, every humane mind will sympathise in. Returning home on a summer's evening, from a visit to his friend,

Rumsey, esq. of Trellick, a few miles off, in company with his Lady, the horses to his carriage took fright, and ran away;-in endeavouring to extricate himself from his perilous situation, he got entangled with the harness, by which means his body was dragged with great violence for some distance, and rendered a spectacle too shocking for description. To her terrors Mrs. Perkins was indebted for the preservation of her life. Unable to quit her seat, or render her husband the least assistance, she remained in the carriage, which the horses conducted safe home.

By marriage of the female heir, the estate is now the property of John Eagles, esq. of Bristol. The land is occupied by a farmer.

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On the left bank of the river stands the above mansion, the property and residence of the late General James Rooke, M. P. for the county of Monmouth, whose father had it in right of Joan his wife, daughter of Tracy Catchmayd, esq. who resided here. It is situated

This gentleman was a defcendant of the brave Sir George Rooke, who took Gibraltar from the Spaniards, and whofe dying words will long be remembered, for their manly difintereftedness. When queftioned respecting the diftribution of his property, he calmly replied, "I have "not much to leave, but what I have was got honeftly; it never coft the "failor a tear, nor the nation a farthing!"

The

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