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Gogledd Orllewin

Jacob's diaryLast updated: 13 October 2008

In the Summer of 1909 JacobO Jones travelled fromAmerica to Britain on theMauritania with his father,Owen R Jones, to visit theirfamily in Wales.

Owen was born in Aberffraw, Anglesey, in 1835 and died in1913 at Barrett, Kansas. Bryan Jones of Old Colwyn,pictured above is a descendant of the family and has passedon the diary Jacob kept of the trip. It paints a vivid picture ofthe times. The diary shows how he admired the attractions ofWales, despite encounters with fleas, the Welsh language,toothless barmaids and interminable rain.

Thanks to the descendants of Owen R in Barratt, Kansas, forallowing us to publish Jacob's diary.Just click on one of the links below to find out about Jacob'sexperiences on his journey from Kansas to North Wales.

Kansas to the Big AppleAboard the MauritaniaFirst impressions of WalesTravels around AngleseyCycling around 'the loop'On the train to Blaenau FfestiniogA grand tour of LondonOver the Strait to BeaumarisRambles and the rainSnowdon at daybreakHomeward bound

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Bryan JonesA family member in Lawrence Kansas has a postcardaddressed to Archie Jones Frankfort, sent by Will J Jonesafter a voyage back to Bangor North Wales dated about1912. They had a good journey and weren't seasick.Wed Feb 11 11:15:59 2009

rodney jones from south dakotaI may be wrong but my grandfather -William J Jones cameover on the shipBaltic in 1910 and was going to the OwenJones farm in Barrett, Kansas. Iwas hoping to make aconnection. Tue Feb 3 09:21:09 2009

G BarrettI've heard of a Kansas town named "Barrett", but not onecalled "Barratt".Wed Aug 20 09:28:49 2008

Jane Vickers, Australia

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Family History(Ap)pearancescan be deceptiveA tale of tragedy and luckAnglesey ancestorsBardsey familiesBelongingButch Cassidycomes to townHelpful hintsJacob's diaryMilwaukee connectionPresidential connectionRooting aboutSalt Lake CitySearch for a motherSisters reunitedTapping sourcesThe Gordon connection

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16 March 2012Accessibility helpText only

This document is a snapshot of content from a discontinued BBC website, originally published between 2002-2011. It has been made available for archival & research purposes only. Please see the foot of this document for Archive Terms of Use.

I was absolutely stunned to come across this site andmention of my maternal grandfather, Emyr Humphreys (notenot Humphries). He ran the tea shop in Upper Bangor andwas a brilliant pianist and organist who played in BangorCathedral (where I was christened) and also on the oldnaval training ship "The Conway" moored in the MenaiStraits until it burnt down. He used to tell stories of how hewas hoisted aboard the Conway like a sack of potatoes ifthe sea was rough!!Thu Mar 29 09:26:10 2007

Robin RobertsSo very interesting, the internet has created a very smallworld! I believe I am a distant descendent of Jacob. Tofollow the family tree further down, working up from me, ican climb the tree as follows: my father (Wayne Roberts,Westmoreland, ks), son of Harold and Bertha (Jones)Roberts (Westmoreland, ks). I don't know the details beyondthis but i would love to be able to fill in the blanks. My momand dad (Wayne and Judy) will accompany my aunt anduncle (Dixie and Leon) to visit Bryan this spring. I hope tolearn more upon their return.Thu Mar 8 09:32:06 2007

Bryan JonesHeather. - Glad you enjoyed Jacob's diary. Jacob was born in1884 at Barratt, Kansas. He graduated BS at KansasUniversity and an MS at Cornell's University. Married 1914.Defence work during WWI at a place called Nitro, WestVirginia. Professor and acting Dean of Engineering, KansasUniversity,Lawrence. He retired in 1955. Mon Jan 8 09:50:20 2007

Heather Rouse (nee Jones), VancouverWhat a pleasure to read Jacob's diary. Am curious to knowwhat age was Jacob in 1909? My father was born inTregarth in 1910. The diary really helped me to picture dayto day life in the area at that time. Thank you BBC - bestwebsite in the world!Wed Jan 3 10:13:24 2007

Becky, MelinI'm quite young but I found Jacob's diary quite interestingand being Welsh myself, I'm proud to hear that he enjoyedhis trip. Mon Feb 28 18:26:12 2005

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This is the beginning of mydiary of a trip to England andWales. We secured ticketsfrom Kansas City to Liverpool.We are routed over TheChicago & Alton to Chicago,the Pennsylvania to New Yorkand the Cunard Line toLiverpool. This is a very pleasant car, The Monarch, and theprospects are that we will have a comfortable night in LowerNo. 7.

June 13 This morning we had breakfast in Chicago. Withsome difficulty we secured a berth to New York, but theeffort was worthwhile and seems to indicate that favourableresults are proportional to effort. I am quite amazed at theluxuriousness of the trains when the cost is considered, and Iwonder if 30 years will see any great amount ofimprovement. It doesn't seem possible. The day has beenuneventful. The weather is very warm, despite the excellenceof accommodations it is quite tiresome. During the night wepassed through Illinois and part of Indiana. The farms inIndiana are quaint. The fences are of rails for the most part,and the buildings do not look modem. However, the fieldslook remarkably well kept and orderly:and to one just fromKansas the fields are extraordinarily free from weeds. Itseems that there is more pasture than cultivated land. I thinkIndiana and Ohio would be a splendid object lesson for manyKansas farmers.

June 14 We were in Altoona, PA, when I awoke. My watchindicated 5:20. But after some reflection and the clearing ofthe cobwebs from my brain, I concluded I was one hour slow.The time changed at Pittsburgh. After breakfast I settleddown to watch the scenery which was more interesting thenthe previous day. From Altoona, to Harrisburg the route isthrough what I presume are mountains, size next larger thanPotawatomi County, Kansas. These are covered with forestexcept for small patches cleared for farming. The streams arevery numerous and are very clear. There are no lowlands,the valleys being only wide enough to accommodate thestreams. The hills are covered with a blue haze, and it alltaken together makes a charming picture indeed.There aremany roads winding in and out among the hills which seemto be inviting the observer to take a ride. I was againimpressed by the neatness of the farms, as we sped alongfrom Harrisburg to Philadelphia. Weeds seem to thrive not atall; and everywhere are pastures and meadows of rank thickgrass, with enough huge trees to make them look cosy. Wereached New York at 3:00p.m., and after we had lunch andrested for a little while we went down and saw the Mauritaniabeing coaled. I can't describe the sensation of my first sightof this big ship.

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Jacob's diaryJune 15 This morning we firstmade our way along the docksto Castle Gardens, then eastto Broad St. After an intricatewinding in and out betweenthe mighty office buildings welocated our bank at 107William St. Here we exchangedour money for certificates,redeemable in foreign money. We left the bank at 10:00 andwalked up to Wall St.; we walked the length of it, or ratherwe fought our way, for the street was literally packed withhumanity; and regardless of the way we went the majorityseemed to going in the opposite way. At the end of the streetis Trinity Church. After returning to our room and "taking"tea, we went down to the docks and went on board the"Mauretania", I'll not describe it as I saw it, just here. Fromhere we went up town to Fifth Ave., and then to the hotel.We retired early with the expectation of getting up early.

June 16 Immediately after breakfast we went to the dock,and at 8:10 we went on board. At 10:10 we left the pier. Thesight was very pretty. On the pier and at every gate, thepeople biding their friends on board a good voyage werestanding as thick as could be, it seemed; the waving ofhandkerchiefs and cheering etc. As we passed out throughthe harbour we had an excellent view of New York. Then wepassed Ellis Island, Liberty, Coney Island, etc, until we got toSandy Hook, where the pilot left us at 11:37.1t was only ashort time until land was out of sight. We are comfortablylocated in C23, a four bunk room, and two priests fromKansas City occupy it with us.

Breakfast....7:30a.m.Dinner........12:00 noonTea...........5:00p.m.Supper.......8:30p.m.

At 7:30 I go to bed not feeling my very best.

June 17 Nothing happened today.

June 18 This has been a most lovely day. There hasn't beenany clouds or mist. As far as one can see, the air is clear andthe water bright deep blue. The bright sun is quite welcomebecause of a strong chilly east wind which blows continually.Our course has been steadily 57 N 15 E. Shortly after dinnerwe passed a ship, also east bound. I tried a picture: it maybe good. This is the third ship we have overtaken, whichindicates we are making pretty good time. We passed aniceberg on our right about four o'clock. Everyone is gettingmuch better acquainted and some jolly games have beenplayed. I umpired and kept score at a game of shuffle board.Tomorrow a tournament is going to be pulled off, and willoccupy most of the day. The orchestra (four pieces) is lovely,and The Barcaroll from Tales of Hoffman tonight wasdelightful.





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June 19 Today has not been very much like yesterday. Thesun before noon was not as bright, and just at noon we raninto a bank of fog. The whistle was kept blowing quitesteadily to avoid accidents. After dinner it cleared and wehad a good afternoon. Tonight a concert was given in the 2ndCabin dining saloon by the 2nd Cabin amateurs. Theperformance was howling ok but I should say not a success.Oh, yes, I'm a knocker on such as that. The overture by theorchestra was really fine; William Tell, see. Today I becameacquainted with a Mr McGuffy a grad of Yale and engaged inforestry. Some special interest in him is the fact that it washis father that edited McGuffy Readers that were used when Iwas in the grades. I spent a very pleasant afternoon andevening with him. He is quite entertaining. Tonight about9:30 o'clock we past a ship eastbound and the flashlightsignalling was carried on for some time. We made 609 milestoday which is within one mile of the record run eastbound.Our speed was an average of 26.36 knots.

June 20 When we awakened it was raining. The sea is quitechoppy and the boat rolls some. Toward noon the sea getsrougher and the boat rolls a great deal more. There waschurch at 10:30 but I did not attend. This is the first day thatI have been at all sea sick. I was not really sick today but Iwas so near it. I did not enjoy myself or care for anything toeat. McGuffy has been with me constantly and I like himbetter. The steward asked me for a quarter today and Iasked him what he wanted and he said "a bottle of beer".Beer is quite as common a beverage here as I have heard itis in Germany. This is an English boat and discipline is verystrict. Men are not allowed to drink on duty. The steward andI have grown quite friendly, and tonight he rustled some softboiled eggs and some fruit for me. Verily, you can makefriends with the stewards if you use big enough tips. Tonightwe met the Lusatania westbound. Tonight I go to bed feelinga great deal better.

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June 21 At daylight we werein sight of Ireland. At first itwas a terribly rough and rockylooking line of bare hills. Laterwe could see some very prettyfarms, and finally, just beforewe reached Queenstown, theentire island was apparently aswell tilled as a garden. We reached Queenstown just before10:00a.m., having completed a record run of 4 days, 17hours, and 2 minutes. It had been remarkably fair weatherduring the entire trip, only a steady East wind which blewcontinually marred the pleasure of the trip. I am delightedwith the Cunard people. The stewards are very attentive, andextreme discipline seems to prevail throughout. After leavingQueenstown we were soon in thick fog and did not see landagain until about 4:00p.m., when we could see Holyhead toour right about two miles. We were in sight of land from thispoint until we reached Liverpool at 9:30p.m. A great manypeople went ashore tonight but we are not expected to andwe shall not. I hate to leave this boat.

June 22 Landed at Liverpool at 8:00a.m. Went up to townand had a "cup of tea". At 11:00 we went aboard the "LaMarguarite" and came down the coast to Bangor. We had athree hour ride which is over the route of the most beautifulscenery I have ever seen. From Llandudno to Bangor, pastBeaumaris is a continuous panorama of most delightfullypretty farms, magnificent estates and castles, and neat andtidy villages. I am quite carried away with the beauty of it.We found my father's brother and his family. They have awelcome for us beyond any experience I have ever had.Indeed my first impressions of Wales are more pleasant thanI hoped would be possible.

June 23 Today they buried the son of my cousin, a lad of 12who drowned while in bathing. It was quite sad. From theChurch Dick Hughes and I went to the Bangor Cathedral. It isquite historic. Was built some 800 year's ago, and is inexcitement state of preservation. We took a long walk aboutthe country, up and.down the beautiful country road, throughthe many beautiful pastures and meadows. It is hard tomake the people here understand the vastness of the USA.In a barber's shop a man of apparent good education said hehad a son there, perhaps I knew him. Certainly it is alwayspossible: but he said he was in Montana and I explained thatit is as far from Kansas to Montana as from Bangor to Rome.

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Jacob's diaryJune 24 This morning Fredand I went up to Bethesda ina trap. It is a five mile driveup on the Holyhead Chesterroad, which by the way is anexcellent example ofmacadamised pavement orroad, perhaps the best in theworld. The greatest knownslate quarry is at Bethesda and it is indeed an interestingsight. Two thousand men find employment here. We gotstung here too by the way. We stopped for dinner and Iasked for tea and boiled eggs. They cost me two bits. Theymust have known I was from the USA. We got back toBangor in time to catch the four o'clock train for Rhoscolyn.Here is different topography from that at Bangor; more level.Tonight we are within 2 miles of the beach and after supperFred and Annie and I took a stroll over and played in thesand. The tide was out and we walked over what is an islandwhen the tide is in. It is covered with seaweed. How pretty itall is.

June 25 This morning Fred, Annie, Ellen and I went out tothe beach at Rhoscolyn and explored the sand and rocks untilnoon. We took pictures. On our way back at noon we stoppedand got our dinner at a small farm house. After dinner Annieand I went to Plas Goch. Then at four o'clock we drove backto town and out to Tom Hughes. I am having a hard tirne tomake up with the fleas. They are very abundant in Anglesey.

June 26 This morning we all went to Valley and took thetrain to Holyhead. We all followed Robert up to some distantrelative of ours. At once after leaving our luggage we wentdown to the pier and saw the sights. Fred, Ellen, Annie and Iran off up town on the other side of the station to theMarket. We got our dinner in a dandy tea room. We also gotscolded for running off without telling Robert and fatherwhere we were going. From Holyhead went by train toBodorgan and from there drove to Newboro. I sure am rightin the middle of it now. The most of them talk Welsh here. Iwould die of lonesomeness if it were not for Fred and Annie.Even my own father talks Welsh to me half the time now. Imust send some postcards to the fellows.

June 27 Sunday at Newboro. Such a Sunday. Rain all day andit is so tiresome. Didn't get out of doors until 6 o'clock andthen only for a few minutes walk.

June 28 Today has been a pretty day, bright and warm. Wewent in a stroll first to Bodorgan and through the lovelygardens of the estate. From there went to the place wheremy father was born and then to Aberffraw. We had dinnerhere in the Prince Llewelyn Hotel. It's very old and veryquaint, but it is nice and they served a splendid dinner. Wevisited the church yard where my father's father and motherare buried. Then we drove to Bodorgan station and Annie leftus to go to Bangor. Robert and Ellen & Fred came back withus to Newboro and we will spend another night here.





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June 29 Today we walked to Dwyran. From Newboro toDwyran is the only straight piece of road I have seen. Theold church. Llangeinwen is said to be over a thousand yearsold. It certainly is very old. I took a picture and I think itshould be good. Dwyran is the prettiest I have seen. We tookdinner and tea with Dr. Williarns. His wife is delightfullyentertaining. The old mill ought to make a pretty picture too.We came home through the fields. A more charming ruralscene would be hard to find. The small fields all in meadowor pasture, the well kept hedges and the lovely trees wouldbe a delight to any eye I am sure. What a lovely place tospend a vacation.

June 30 Today we drove to Llangefni. I can recommend itfor a pretty drive. It is along one of the best macadamisedroads and through several pretty villages. The town itself is aone day town. Thursday is market day and it is only on thatday that there is any spirit of industry to the town. It is largeand better laid out than most of the towns. Even here thestreets are not straight but they are broad and the shops arenot so small and cramped. I am surprised at some thingshere also. Think of getting a haircut and shampoo for 12cents. We are invited out to tea by Kate. Had a jolly timeand a dandy lunch.

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July 1 Walked to Caernarvonthis morning. Ate dinner at theMona Hotel which is OldEnglish. It's very nice. Afterdinner I tried to get films forthe Kodak but could not.Visited the Castle and spentthree hours going through it.Came back to Bangor by boat and it's lovely too coming upthe Menai Strait with lovely landscape on either side. After teaAnnie and I went to the "Cosy Corner" which is not as bad asit sounds.

July 2 This AM got up feeling fine. The weather is clearingand it is getting to be more like what they say real summeris here. It's warmer too. After dinner Annie and Maggie tookthe children, including me, to the beach for an outing. Wetook a lunch and had a nice time. I enjoyed it as much asany of the children. Today I bought a pair of English breechesand golf stockings and I have incurred my father'sdispleasure for some tirne to come. He said he would notwear them for anything if someone furnished them.

July 3 Today Bob, Will John and I took a cycle trip aroundthe loop, or we started anyway. From Bangor to Ogwen lakeabout 10 miles is up grade. The last 5 miles is splendidlandscape scenery. From Ogwen to Capel Curig is down gradeand we let the bikes run until we got a puncture. A rain cameon while we were fixing it and we were forced into shelter atCapel Curig. From here to Bettws y Coed is yet again mostbeautiful scenery, the most delightful of all of which is TheSwallow Falls. We made it from here to Llanrwst by nineo'clock. Acct. the rain we have lost a good deal of time andcan get no further tonight. We are 26 miles from home andthere are no more trains tonight. So at the very last we areat King's Head Inn quite wet through and must go to bedwhile our clothes are being dried. Every Innin England has abar maid. This one is a beautiful one with golden hair and noteeth.

July 4 Today we finish our journey around through Conway,Penmaenmawr and back to Bangor. It is all along the seaexcept the last few miles. It is a lovely day and the countryis pretty. The distance around the loop is 52 miles and it iswell worth anyone's while to take the trip. We are nowtalking of going the round in a TallyHo. I hope we do. All arehere tonight at cousin Owen's for supper.

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July 5 Today Owen and Iwent by train from Bangor toAber. Then we went on foot toAber Falls 2 miles. The fallsare pretty. We walked back tothe village and then toLlanfairfechan. Lovely walk.Had two suppers, there andanother when we got home.

July 6 Got up early (6:00 o'clock). Had breakfast and tooktrain 8:00 for Ffestiniog. That took us right past the route ofour bike trip of Sat. and Sun. and continued it on fromBettws y Coed further into the mountains. This is really quiterugged here. We passed through a tunnel 3 miles long andabout 10 miles distant is Mt. Snowdon 3530 feet high. Theonly industry in this valley is slate quarrying. A few mountainsheep are grazing on the hill sides. I met a man today whoappealed to my sympathies, very strongly, Mr. Hughes. He isa tailor, and about two years ago went to Colo. For his wife'shealth. She died there and he brought the little boy and girlback here. The girl died and now he and the boy live alone.He is of highly artistic temperament and has high ideals oflife. It is pathetic to see how he cares for his boy andwatches him as though afraid he will lose him. Yet for all thishe is not morbid but is very jolly even though he seems tocare for only his boy.

July 7 After breakfast we went to Ffestiniog Llan to seefather's cousin Jane. It rained the whole day and I sat in theparlour and listened to them talk Welsh. It always stopsraining here overnight: rains daytime.

July 8 Today was splendid in the morning. We wrote lettersbecause it was quite dull outside and there was no place togo. We took dinner with Mrs Hughes. About two o'clockE.J.Hughes and I started to climb Mt. Moelwyn. It is about2500 feet high and more than 500 feet higher than any nearit. When we were about half way up it began to clear andthe clouds were nearly gone by the time we were at the top.It was a fairly hard climb but it was worth while. The view issplendid and as much as a dozen small lakes can be seenfrom the top. These are very clear and full of trout. We wereback at the bottom by 6:30. Hugh is dandy company. He isjolly and is full of pretty stories with a point. I think HenryVan Dyke would write a story about him if he knew him.

July 9 Father and I went from Ffestiniog back to Bangor thisa.m. Bangor at noon. More rain, rain all afternoon andevening.

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July 10 Up at 5:30 to getready to go to London.Reached London at 3:30. Morerain. Found ourselves later atWhite Hall Residential Hotel intime for tea. The hotel is verynice. Quiet but well appointed.I like it as well as the Savoy inKC and the rate is $10 per week.

July 11 Breakfast at 9. After breakfast went to chapel at theFoundlings Hospital. The service is Episcopal and is not veryattractive to me but the music was delicious. The pipe organwas given to the Chapel by Handel, and such beautiful tonesit has. After the service we saw the children dine. In the p.m.we went to church on Tottenham Court road, in WhitefieldsCathedral. I think I have been to church a good deal for oneday.

July 12 After breakfast we took a walk down to CharingCross at Trafalgar Square. This is one of the finest squares inLondon. There are several monuments here in the centre ofthe group being that of Lord Nelson on a high granitecolumn. We took our way along Northumberland Avenue tothe Victoria Embankment. The Embankment is a lovelyavenue for a mile and a half along the river fromWestminster Bridge to Black Friars and cost $7,000,000 toconstruct. We followed the Embankment to Parliament thenturned to the right as far as White Hall. Along here are manygovernment bldgs and The Horse Guards. We visited theRoyal Service Museum which contains the relics of war of theBritish Empire. It contains only one of America: that is theflag of the American ship Chesapeake, captured by the Britishship Shannon outside Boston harbour. We spent the rest ofthe day in the National Art Gallery. This is on the north sideof Trafalgar Square and admission is free. St. James Park justback of Horse Guards is quite worth a few hours time. At thewest end is Buckingham Palace and Gardens. This is thetown house of the King.

July 13 Today we made our way first along Kings way to theStrand and The Law Courts. We passed by the GladstoneMemorial and St. Clements Danes Church (1681). From hereto the Embankment just below Waterloo Bridge. Again wefollowed The Embankment to Black Friars Bridge. Here weturned to the left up New Bridge St. to Ludgate Circus thenceto our right up Ludgate Hill to St. Paul's. We were thereduring services which were Episcopal and not interesting butthe music was very fine. Here we had a delightful 3 hours. Iwish I were enough of a critic of architecture to be able torecord here some worthy description of St. Paul's. I think myfirst impression of the vastness of it. The long dark vaultedisles filled me with awe and I was at first not inclined tomove about. There is not room for me to record here anyfurther impressions of it, but certainly one should not visitLondon and fail to see St. Paul's. We next found a tea roomand had our lunch. London is full of tea rooms and they are


very nice. A pot of tea (two cups and if you don't like itstrong enough to hold up your spoon call for hot water and itwill make four cups) and a large roll and butter for six pence.It is the lunch or noon day meal for hundreds of Londoners.We spent the afternoon at the British Museum which isperhaps the largest collection in the world. We made acontinuous march for three hours and had only a superficialglance at each room. We then took a more leisurely look atthe collection from Africa, China, Tibet and the South SeaIslands, and the mummies of Egypt. I was interested in thecollection of Scabbards from Egypt.

July 14 This has been a see London day. We started the dayon top of a bus and drove through the busiest streets ofLondon. They say London cab drivers are the most skilful inthe world. It must be true, for anyone who can drive throughthe traffic I've seen today without accident must be quiteskilful We found away off in the eastern part of the city theChapel built by John Wesley and his home. These we visited.His study can be seen and his household furniture. Justacross the street is an old cemetery in which is buried JohnBunyan and Oliver Cromwell. This is in a very out of the waypart of the city. Here also is buried Daniel Defoe, IsaacWatts, John Wesley's mother, and brothers of Cromwell. Ittook us some time to drive from here to Hyde Park. This isthe largest park in London, contains 360 acres andKensington Palace and gardens adjoining it on the southcontains 275 acres. Hyde Park is the gathering place for thepolitical demonstrations of all parties. Here also are lovelydrives and Rotten Row, the famous bridal path of thearistocracy of London. The gardens and park are very wellkept indeed. We had a look at the Albert Memorial erected byQueen Victoria in memory of her husband costing $600,000.We left the park after lunch and went to White City atShepherds Bush. This is merely an ordinary exhibition such asSeattle this year and the one due in Omaha, etc. It has its"pike" and fakers row etc. We enjoyed it nevertheless andonly got home in time for supper.

July 15 Our last full day in London. We visited MadameToussaud's wax works for two hours this morning. Said to bethe most complete collection. I wish I had not seen it. Seemslike I have been to an immense funeral. We spent the rest ofthe day at Regent's Park which is just by the exhibition. Thepark itself is lovely. Not so large as Hyde Park, contains only475 acres. The broad walk extending from Regent Square tothe zoo, about one mile, is a gorgeous walk about 50 feetwide, with magnificent trees on each side flanked by banks ofbright colored flowers. The zoo is a large one and containsmany interesting specimens. I think I have at last quitesolved the mystery of the London underground railway, ortubes as they are called. It is indeed a most convenientsystem and enables one to get to any part of the city quickly,cheaply and comfortably. They are wonderfully cool andfresh, and the interchange or transfer system is so completethat with very little study one can find his way very easily.

July 16 Another wet day. If it rains so here I should neverlike it. We did not leave the hotel today except for a coupleof hours just at noon when it stopped raining. It is a long dayfrom 8a.m. until after midnight with nothing to do but watchit rain. Train left the station at 12.40a.m.

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July 17 Of course, we arevery sleepy today and did notfeel like getting out. At threewe took a walk up to the littlepass to get a view. It was aremarkably clear day and theview was fine. In the eveningI went with Will and Annie todo some shopping. We went to the Air Dome afterward.

July 18 A very wet morning but fine after 3 o'clock. Wentout to see Hugh and took tea there. After tea we walked overMenai Bridge. This is a splendid example of the suspensionbridge. I must take a day to examine it thoroughly. Acrossthe bridge is a lovely place by what they call the IslandChurch. It is a little chapel on an island in Menai Strait built,as the copper plate on the door says, by St. Tysilio in 680AD.This has been one of the clearest days and Mt. Snowdoncould be seen so plainly it seemed a bit of a walk over to it.They say it will be fine weather now for several days.

July 19 Today we went from Bangor to Beaumaris by boat. Ilike the water I think best of all. I certainly enjoy it when it isfine down by the beach or on the pier. The sea air gives onesuch an appetite. Beaumaris is a pretty town and is a quietlittle summer resort. There is an old castle in Beaumaris thatis interesting; and running out of the town to the north is anice drive along the beach for a couple of miles, perhapsmore.

July 20 First to Upper Bangor then through Menai woods toMenai Bridge. We went down and took a picture of ChurchIsland then went to the baths and watched the bathers. Afterdinner we went down to the pier and watched the crowdscome and go. It is pretty nice on the pier just to sit and lookabout. We came home at 4 and had tea and immediatelywent and had tea with Bob and ate wheat cakes and currantjam. Gee they are good. Bob's friend Emyr Humphries askedus down to the church where he plays the organ and said hewould play for us if we cared to come.It was a real treatbecause he is very fine and plays anything you like. He askedus in to supper to meet his father and mother. His brotherhas an excellent voice and sang for us. Thora by Stephen isfine. I shall never forget them and hope to meet them again.

July 21 We all went to Llandudno today to a funeral. Six ofus rode over from Beaumaris in a cab. We had no way tocome back but walk.

July 22 Today we stayed at Bangor. It has been a bad day,cold rainy and windy. I didn't get out of the house untilevening when Bob and I went down to meet Humphries whowas coming up to Annie's to play the piano. He certainly isan artist. I really have never seen his like.

July 23 This morning I ventured downtown alone and pokedaround in the shops. I didn't discover anything remarkable.





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After dinner 1 took the girls over to Garth on the sailboat.The wind has been a gale today and it was very rough on theStrait. How the boat did toss and through the spray. Wecame back at nine and it was quieter. After that we went tomake a call. Fancy making a call at 9p.m. We called on somepeople visiting here from Vermont. Moreover we had somereal Yankee lemon pie. I ate two pieces.

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July 24 This morning was forwriting letters. I made themost of it and wrote five.Later in the afternoon Annieand I went over to Hugh's. Wewent through the woods by aback path past some realWelsh farm yards. The woodshere are very pretty, mostly oak, pine, beech and sycamore.Wherever there are woods there is also an abundance offerns and wild flowers. I don't know their names but there areall colours and kinds. Because of the cool weather and heavyrainfall, the flowers don't fade here but last all summer. Westayed at Hugh's had good tea. We came back about 8 andwent to town for shopping. How it did rain. Came backthrough it at 10:30.

July 25 Still it rains. We're not able to get anywhere todayexcept to chapel after tea.

July 26 Another nice day. Began active operations in makingarrangements to go home. Have decided on Aug. 21 byWhite Star boat Cedric. After dinner went to Llanfair PG andlooked about the place. We climbed the Marquis Tower. Thisis a splendid monument just west of Britannia Bridge on afine site overlooking the Strait. It was erected by the peopleof Anglesey in honor of their countryman, the hero ofWaterloo. From the top one can get a splendid view of allAnglesey and the coast side of Carnarvon. I must have alucky star too for they say it was an unusually fine day for aview.

July 27 They are coming every other day now, I mean therainy days. If only there was some place to go on rainy days;such as an art gallery or the like. I must say it is getting pasta joke. This sounds like I am in "a bit of a temper" as theysay here but I don't think I can be so.

July 28 Every other day for true. Today was a real brightKansas June day; not hot but bright and clear. I took a walkby myself today out to nowhere in particular, and it was agood experiment. Every field and tree and brook was doingits best to look pretty and they all did it.

July 29 Went to Holyhead today to buy tickets. Had a badday. We were out on the breakwater for a couple of hours.After that it rained as though it had never rained before.Holyhead has a fine harbor. I should say it is attractive,anyway I can't pass on it's utility.

July 30 Had a very dull morning but after dinner was all thebrighter for it. We (Annie, Maggie and I) went to MenaiBridge and then crossed over and walked up towardBeaumaris. I have not been along this road before and it isone of the prettiest. We invaded some gentleman's premisesand boldly walked through his front yard, thence around tothe kitchen door. The girls happened to be acquainted with





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his cook so we were quite unafraid. Anyway, the cook andthe maid and the housekeeper entertained us quite royally inthe kitchen while the gentleman entertained his guests in thefront of the house. The old man didn't get the first taste ofthe omelette either. He has a lovely place, though. It's acharming view of the Strait, and the garden and trees arefine.

July 3. I have no place to go in particular. After dinner Iwent down town as far as Humphries Bake shop. Emyr calledme in and took me upstairs to the tea room. I had tea andcakes until I was full.

Aug 1 This morning before breakfast Dick and I went downto Siliwen and took a dip. It was tremendously cold. Wecaught cold too. Tonight Will and Cary and I took a long walkup toward Snowdon. Before we returned the moon came upover the mountains. It was a grand clear night and thesunset was a real treat.

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Aug. 2 Bank holiday today.Everybody was out for a time.We took a boat ride up toLlandudno. The sea was quiterough and the boat was socrowded we could get nowhereto enjoy the ride. The crowdswere exceedingly largeeverywhere. Llandudno is a lovely place, the most beautifulbeach I have seen. We came back by train and the crowd wasso large we had to ride in the guard van.

Aug. 3 Today I undertook a walk to Bodola, my cousinMargaret's farm near Red Wharf Bay. It is almost five milesfrom Beaumaris. It was a hard walk too, over some of thehardest climbs in the country. From the farm is a lovely viewof the bay. I also undertook to return the same day. Ireached Beaumaris too late for the last boat and had to walktwo miles to Garth to get a ferry over to Bangor. Am almosttoo tired to go to bed. But it has been such a fine day I amsure the walk was a good thing for me.

Aug. 4 After writing this morning father proposed we go toLiverpool on the La Marguerite. It was a bully trip to takeand I was glad to go. The sea was a bit rough but I didn'tmind. It was quite cold too, a heavy southwest wind wasblowing continually. We fell in with eight chaps from SouthWales on their holidays. They were a jolly set.

Aug. 5 At last we have our tickets. Bought them beforebreakfast this morning. Sorry to say we are going home aweek sooner than we expected. Left Liverpool at 10:45, gotto Bangor at 3:00. Had such a fine ride. It is real summer Iguess for it is bright and clear and hasn't rained sinceSunday.

Aug. 6 Summer has come for true. This has been like a fineday in late October in Kansas. I could enjoy weather like this,here, for always. How lazy it makes me feel. As I sit here inthe garden and look out across the field where they havebeen putting up hay today, and the pasture with woodsbeyond, clear over the mountains I am sure I have neverseen anything prettier, nor have I seen a finer evening. Howpeaceful it is.

Aug. 7 Went to Rhoscolyn this morning to meet Robert. Hewent with us to Holyhead and we had dinner at the Market.We went down to the beach too. It is a fine day like Indiansummer. Saw a man taken out of the water in the harbor.Came home at 7:00 and left Bangor at 11:00 in a "brake" forLlanberis.

Aug. 8 Reached Llanberis at 1:00 and started up Snowdon atonce on foot. It was a lovely drive for the night was perfect.The climb to the top took us 2 and a half hours, and it was areal climb; in many places the grade was 1 in 5 and a half.Had a cup of tea on top for sixpence and it was worth it. Had





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to wait three quarters of an hour for the sunrise and it waspretty cold too. It was a splendid morning and they said it isseldom one gets so fine a sight. We left the top at 5:00.Coming down was worst of all. At 7:30 we left Llanberis andgot to Bangor at 9:00,. I immediately went to bed and sleptuntil 5:00. Got up and took a walk and at proper bedtimefeel no worse for the experience.

Aug. 9 Went to Gaerwen for dinner. Went to Bodorganafterward and drove to Newborough. Visited Auntie Jane andRobert and took a walk to Pen Lon.

Aug 10 Visited today and took a walk toward the lighthouse.Took tea at Dwyran with Dr. Williams.

Aug. 11 Drove to the ferry and went across to Caernarvon.Took a train to Bangor. Two days more in Wales but we mustput most of our time to getting ready.

Aug. 12 Went on a scout for a suitcase this morning. Foundout the American shops are away ahead of these in a way ofleather goods. Annie gave a dinner party for us, ten plates.

Aug. 13 The last full day at Bangor and a rainy one too. It'sbeen very busy for me today. I put in some time markingluggage, some shopping etc. Took tea three places and saidgoodbye many, many times. Have made many friends. Wentout to supper tonight at Tom's. Got home at 11:00p.m.Several friends to say goodbye. The last one left at 2.30a.m.Am not at all sleepy and will only lie down on the couch untildaylight

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Jacob's diaryAug. 14 At 5:00 I left myhumble couch and took awalk. After breakfast we wereall busy until train time. AtHolyhead we went onto thetender at 5:00 but it was 6:30before we were on the Celtic.Left the harbor at 7:45 andhad tea at once. By nineo'clock we were in a dense fog and the boat stopped. Insteadof reaching Queenstown at about eleven o'clock it will be inthe morning.

Aug. 15 At daylight we were not yet in sight of Ireland.Have lost about 3 hours in the fog. Reached Queenstown atabout nine o'clock. Took on passengers and sailed at 9:30. Atabout noon we are out of sight of land and are passed by theMauretania, also westbound. Everyone seems bound to behappy. There is some vocal talent aboard and they entertainthe crowd quite well.

Aug. 16 Today is fair and the sea is only slightly rough. Afew are sick and I am not well. Across the table is a priestand next to him is a seven day advent elder. To my right is avery amusing man whom I take to be an English jockey orcab driver or the like. I think he can't read. He studies themenu card until I have ordered my dinner and then asks forthe same thing that I have. Anyway I like the Celtic andthere are some nice interesting people aboard.

Aug. 17 Today is quite rough, the worst sea I have seen,which doesn't say it is bad however. A great many are sicktoday. I don't know whether I am sea sick or not, butsomething funny is wrong and I find myself much morecomfortable in bed.

Aug. 18 Smoother weather today. Everyone is better andhappier. I have not much appetite but can eat enough tokeep me alive. I am reading Innocents Abroad and enjoy itmore than I ever supposed I could. It is real funny. Tonight Ihad a game of whist in the lounge and it was a draw.

Aug. 19 Today was fair and the water was quite warm. Ibelieve everyone enjoyed the "athletic tournament". Itconsisted of a pillow fight, potato race, cock fight, tug of warfor ladies, tug of war for men, fat man's race, chalking thepig's eye, and others. It was really delightful except for avery conceited travelling man who appointed himself masterof ceremonies. All along he has made himself generallydisagreeable and wanted to run everything. I think everyonewas satisfied to see him on the losing side of the tug of war.

Aug. 20 I have found out a new thing about the man thatsits on my right at the table. Never ask him to pass thebutter when he is just about to take a bite of anything.Because if you do he is certain to drop it in his lap, due tothe alacrity with which he attempts to pass the butter.Anyway, he means well. Made the acquaintance of a fellow





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from Sydney, Australia. He is going to Massachusetts tobegin four years in the Springfield Training School YMCA:Gordon R. Virgo. Father is General Secretary for the YM ofSydney. We had a concert tonight in the dining saloon. Asong by Mrs Roberts entitled "A slave song" by Riego wasdelightful. The encore was pretty but I could not find out thename of it. At noon today we were 880 miles from AmbroseLightship.

Aug. 21 Today dawned bright and very warm. The sea wassmooth and quiet; no swell or roll at all. Everyone seemsquite happy. The nearer we get to New York the hotter itbecomes, and today the shade is much sought after, even ifwe are upon the water. They say it is due to the GulfStream. Tonight a thunder storm gathered, the first realhealthy thunder since we have been away. Everyone seemsto get brighter the nearer to home we get. Tonight in thecovered of promenade a real jollification was held. Everythingfrom Old Kentucky home to Sweet Bye and Bye wasrendered. I met Mrs Roberts tonight and she told me thename of the encore was "My Treasure". I don't like to go tobed, it is too hot to sleep. I wonder if we will see land whenwe awake.

Aug. 22 What a grand day to finish the trip. The sun is asbright and the sky is as blue as they can be. The wind is fairand only just brushes the mist away without disturbing thesurface of the glassy sea. At two o'clock we reached SandyHook and the pilot came aboard. At five o'clock we reachedStaten Island and the health officer came aboard. StatenIsland is a grand sight indeed. Here while we waited, in sightof Liberty we sang America. After we qualified and passesquarantine we steamed slowly up river past the skyscraperfront of New York. At the pier the tugs swarmed around uslike bees and pulled us along side at 7:00 o'clock. It was onlya few minutes now until we were through Customs and out inNew York City. I was so glad to get back I let a small boycarry my suitcase. He charged me a dime for this and I gavehim fifteen cents for telling me about the baseball games.

Aug. 23 At nine o'clock we went down to the White StarOffice to get a permit to go to Ellis Island to help Hugh andthe rest get through the maze of emigrant regulations. Whatan awful thing Ellis Island is. It took until three o'clock tosecure their discharge. I must try to find an authentic sourceof information with regard to the development and purposeof it.

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