Llandilo, Present and Past

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 edition. Excerpt: ... llandilo. history. tit, before going back into times more especially historical, let us glean what we can from the memories of the older inhabitants. It is recollected, then, that the bridge was a narrow wooden structure--that the few houses forming Bridgestreet were more to the south side than on the north side--that the two churchyards were one--that the present wide King-street was pitched and narrow, and entered below, only, opposite the "Corner House"--that the "Boot and Shoe" was a decent public house and kept by William Jones, tailor and auctioneer, who was the pioneer in the formation of new Llandilo. He built the "White Lion," or rather a couple of them, and several houses in Rhosmaen-strect, &c, and his example was followed by other people; and thus a number of the straw-thatched houses gave way to larger and slatc-covered dwellings--that the Post-office, near the "George" was kept by the clergyman's daughter, Miss Jenkins--that the present Vicarage was the "George Inn," where the Petty Sessions were held, and other magisterial business transacted--a partly slated, and partly straw-thatched house, celebrated, among other things, for the capital dances held there on fair days, F patronized by presence of the patres et matres famliarum of the best class of farmers, and of the Llandilo bourgeois, and heartily joined in by their offsprings of suitable ages. Doubtless all this was sinful: the middle classes' dancing days seem to be over; but the classes above, and above those, still indulge without scandal; perhaps, too, the grade below amongst us persist in tripping it on the heavy fantastic toe, despite of all sanctimonious denunciation. But sin is like matter, and apparently cannot be annihilated, though susceptible to change of...