Christina Elizabeth Frances Bevan

Last week a follower on twitter sent me an intriguing message – ‘here’s something to pass on to all your Bevan clan’ - he wrote with a link to a feature in a national daily newspaper.

The model in an enigmatic set of photographs taken by Mervyn O'Gorman, thought to be the earliest examples of colour photography, had been identified. Previously known only as Christina it was thought that the young girl in the red bathing suit was O'Gorman's daughter.

However, Christina's true identity came to light when Stephen Riddle, a retired technician, contacted Colin Harding, curator at the National Media Museum with a set of stereoscopic slides by O’Gorman.

The 16 year old model was revealed to be Christina Elizabeth Frances Bevan, the elder daughter of Edwyn Robert Bevan, a classical scholar, archaeologist and philosopher, and his wife, the Honourable Mary Waldegrave.

Mervyn O’Gorman trained first as an electrical engineer before becoming an aircraft engineer and Superintendent of the Royal Aircraft Factory but in his spare time he enjoyed taking photographs and was a pioneer of the Autochrome process.

At the time of the 1911 census, two years before these photographs were taken, Edwyn lived in a substantial property called Sun House on the Chelsea Embankment with his wife and two daughters employing a butler, housekeeper, lady's maid, cook, housemaid and a kitchenmaid.

It was a far cry from the lifestyle of Sylvanus Bevan, 80 and his wife Ann, 79, who had retired from farming and moved to The Sycamores, just a stones throw away from the home where Sylvanus grew up at Bay View Farm, Overton, Gower.

Yet the strawberry blonde 16 year old and the old man and his wife share a common ancestry, tracing their family lines back to Jenkin-ap-Evan and his wife Elizabeth After who lived in Rhossili on the Gower peninsula.

Jenkins' son William, known as William Bevan the Quaker, moved to Swanzey where he practiced his faith and spent two years in prison for his refusal to pay Church Rates and Tithes.Descendants of William founded the famous Plough Court Pharmacy, bought into Henry Thrales Anchor Brewery and married into the Barclay family of bankers.

Christina could trace her ancestry back through her grandfather Robert Cooper Lee Bevan to another Silvanus Bevan and his parents Timothy Bevan and Elizabeth Barclay, back to Jenkin-ap-Evan, the ancestor who Anglicised the Welsh name.

Back home in Gower, Jenkin's other son Francis married and moved into Oxwich Castle where the Bevan family farmed for more than two hundred years, travelling down numerous Francis's and Sylvanus's until another Sylvanus married his cousin Ann in 1855.

The photographs O'Gorman took in 1913 are the subject of an exhibition entitled Drawn by Light on show at the National Media Museum, Bradford until June 21, 2015.

When my twitter follower urged me to pass on the news of Christina's identity I little suspected I would find a link to the ethereal girl in red and the Bevan family from Gower.

Sill is a 'free agent'

The Salthouse Silvanus mentions is a pair of cottages that once stood on the western end of Porteynon Bay.  Said to have been built on the site of a fortified mansion house and stone quay belong to the Lucas family, the original structure, built in the 17^th century, was destroyed in the devastating Great Storm of 1703.  A pair of cottages was built on the ruin during the 18^th century and, according to local guides, occupied until the mid 19^th century, although Silvanus’ letter suggests occupation may have continued longer.

 Overton, Gower

June 29^th

My dear Brother

I think I may venture to write with a reasonable amount of safety now the general outlook in political circles have assumed a more settled & promising prospect, both at home & abroad, which is proof of the ability of those men you ridicule & point the finger os corn (shame) our foreign relations on every hand has become settled & friendly, & that dangerous firery agitative spirit formerly so promiently universal throughout the cabinets of the known world has become a thing of the past for Britain who’s influence is so powerfully felt has placed the reins in the hands of men that has an unusual amount of common sense which they use in cool deliberation followed by firm actions, instigated by the conviction that we ask for nothing but what is right & will submit nothing that is wrong.  I have several things to say socially so I forgo polititics.  

I there comes your long list of questions, there are about half a dozen strawberries, there were about 3 qrs of gooseberries but the young apple trees are real Liberals.  There is no one a Salthouse, Mr. Madge has sold up.  Perhaps you will be satisfied to know I am a free agent.  I have no betrothal Anne Stevens is unmaried but Morgan Bevan (the ship) is home, & they are considered engaged.  Lizzie will tell you all about hers.  Francis fell in love with a girl in Swansea, who hapened to be coming down to Gower for a fortnight so he returned & all his schemes of adventure fell through.

I sent the programme of what we were treated with in school.  We the Oddfellows are going to have a dinner & march with a band & grand display of bunting.  I am one of five on a commitee to make all arrangements. I must go at once to Porteynon, write by return then you shall hear all particulars. B.

Photographs of Salt House ruins taken in 2008

Arabella - a capital name for an Ironmongers' wife

22 George Street

June 9^th 1880

Dear Brother

I was very glad to see you punctuality to orders but I denie your charge on the noun patience which of course if you were passing it you would put it in the feminine gender because you never see it in a man so much do you say about young men and women that I should think you know something about them.  Please state who she is what she is what is her name.  Arabella I should think because that would be a capital name for an Iron-mongers wife or rather a gentlemans well I suppose so much for that subject.  We are 11 young ladies besides Miss Emery she is an old maid so you might know what she is like other old maids would be It is two long years or more before I shall be free of any apprenticeship.  I am very glad to hear that you will have a chance of shaking hand with our friend and brother the Prince if you do so be sure and remind him that you have a sister at Miss Emery Bedford house Walters Road Swansea in the County of Glamorgan South Wales and would be very much obliged if he would give her half of that days income.  Today we never expected anything but a cabbage and a can of milk.  I was greatly surprised on opening thee cupboard door to see [see] 3 large gooseberry cakes we only get a letter from home once a week and that is on Saturday morning written on Friday night saying that they are quite well hoping we are the same they are very busy wants pack up and be off to bed.

(incomplete letter from Hannah)

Bevan & Co.

Overton

Gower

June 9^th 1880

Dear Brother

You seem to be in a great hurry for good advice which is certainly a very good sign & I hope you will profit much by it when you get it.  But having many things to write unto thee I would not on paper and ink but I trust shortly to see thee, and speak to thee, face to face, that our joy may be full.  Miss Nicholas has been here and has taken the order for your things so you may expect them soon for anything under [under]  taken by Liberals is soon accomplished, whether its Turkish reforms, shirt making or the demolishing of gooseberry cakes or any other difficult (for the last mentioned you Conservatives deserve some credit).

The present protraction (which you term Liberal selfishness) has originated from following too much the devises of the Tories, and thereby, exhausted our finances, so we are bound to retrench, & home requirements are delayed as well as those abroad.

On Saturday morning last as Dutch Galley Yatch the same rig as a Dandy was abandon off our coast in a sinking condition the crew came in to the quay and got on board the lass & on hearing their report Capt. Tom and Will Chalk, & Phil Hopkin went off, & withe the help of 2 men from another vessel brought her in to the Quay she has on board about 90 tons of knife bricks, the Salvagers claime £60 and the Insurance Company has ofered them £10 she is going to Swansea tomorrow in charge of the Salvagers.

We expect to finish sowing Swedes tomorrow.  It is getting very late so Good night

          I remain Your affection Bro.

                    Silvanus Bevan

In the 1880s Silvanus was a member of a family salvage firm about which he writes “Bevan & Co (comprising C & S Bevan, J. Steven Overton, J. Stephen Porteynon, J. Hughes.) “

The Bevan family on holiday

Overton

June 6^th

Dear brother

It is so long since we have had any news from you that we are thinking perhaps you have lost the address.

We have been very busy lately or I should have written before.  You are the only absent one at present as Morgan, Jane, Hannah and Frank came down yesterday morning to spend their holiday at home.  We were wishing that you could be with us too.

Morgan and Sill have borrowed Mr. beynons trap and are gone to Landymore for a drive while Father Mother Jane Hannah and Frank are gone in our own trap to green anniversary the Rev. Mr. Biscombe is expected to preach there and as the day is pretty fine they expect a good company.

Mr. Melland Threatened to summons Frank Gibbs for throwing stones and annoying a certain William Phillps nick-named Mr. Talbot. I dare say you know him.  That Frank started of to Swansea and tried to Join the Military but they would not take him.  And he got a berth to go to sea but his father would not send him any clothes and he came home looking very shamefaced repenting of his run.

We have the promise of a good many apples on the trees this year but no gooseberry’s at all.

Have you had new potatoes we have had some to day out of our own garden.

I am glad to tell you that we are all well hoping you are the same with love from all

                    I remain

                              Your Affecte Sister

                                        E. Bevan

                                        Write soon

I hope you are enjoying your holiday today.

Do not let anyone see this letter

An awkward little letter written by Morgan in response to George’s message of condolence.

22 George St.

Swansea

June 3^rd 1880

Dr George

         

I received your letter this morning & was indeed pleased to hear from you.  I have been expecting a letter from you for a long time & at the same time was thinking of writing to you but could never make up my mind to do so you know what sort of man I am of a timid disposition still there is some acts of bravery about me one for, instance, Getting Married & that seems so far to answer pretty well indeed so that I ought to be incouraged & not feel so timid.

Well George it is all very well talking foolishly still I do not believe in going half way to meet troubles it is true enough when it comes.  You spoke about my sad loss yes a great loss when mother goes it almost speaks to me in words look out for yourself home appear broken up there appear no ruling shepherd to keep us all together because it always was Mother Mother  no one to say Morgan be careful over this or that no the voice is not to be again.  She hath done what she could for every one of us & her end was peace I hope everlasting.  

You refered to buisness in your letter. I do not know what to do but I think I shall make an attempt when I can get a suitable shop & in a propper position but I may have to wait for a long time.  If I cannot get a good situation I had better stay where I am I have no dout but I should do very well because as you know I am a respectable young man have a respectable wife & we are respectable connected infact we are respectable alltogether.  Buisness keeps very quiet there is no stir here whatever.  If it would revive a little it would give a man a little encouragement. 

I scarcly know what I have put on this letter in the first place.  I have been cutting the grass in the front of the house & triming the hedge that my hand is shaking very much & Jane have been talking all the time so you can take it as it is & will promise to do better next time. Jane is first rate now since she come to Swansea & Hannah is very well. 

Do not let anyone see this letter.

From yr aff.

                                                  Bro. & Sisters

                                                        J.H. & M. Bevan

A Curly Black Lamb

Overton

June 2^nd 1880

Dear Brother

We are very busy and have to work very hard.  Mother forgot to put Roberts letter with hers she thought that his and Eddy’s were folded in one another so you must not be surprised at the day of the Month on his letter.  Since he wrote it there has been an addition to the horses. Lester has got a colt and we expect one from Bright soon.  There is a prospect of a good crop of straw-berries this year by Harriet being so careful over them.  Robert and Eddy laughs about Hedley being a tinker and Eddy thinks about being an ironmonger.  We have had a letter from Hannah telling us something that you wrote to her.  Sill is going to write soon but mind you must send me a letter before you send him one.  It have been very wet here and we have to put on our long cloaks in the summer.  We are all very well except Robert who has had the headache.  We are just going to do our home-work so I must make haste.  We have begun to sow Swedes and expect to finish soon.

It is getting dark so I must conclude

Father & Mother and all the rest joins me In kind love to you all

                    I remain your

                    Aff. Sister Ellen M. Bevan

P.S. Georgie we have brought a black curly lamb Saturday last

We can do sums and write in coppy

George’s two younger brothers write to him, showing their prowess at arithmetic.  

Overton

May 24^th 1880

Dear brother 

Eddy and I have been very ill we are quite well now we have four cats, four cows, four horses, fifteen hens, sixty three chickens, forty six lambs, one hundread and four sheep, one dog, four ducks, twenty one geese and three pigs, seven cattle and th colt are gone to Muzzart.  I and georgey Went with them and we expect to sow Swedes in a couple of weeks.

mother and father send their love to you mother is going to write to you to night

rember me to gorge and hedley

 I remain

                    your affectionate

                                        brother

                              Robert Bevan

Overton

May 24^th 1880

dear brother

robert and I have been very ill we have had measles and had to stay in bed three days we are quite well now and mother lets us go out again, we washed the sheep as on friday and if the weather is fine we expect to shear them on tuesday your strawberys are in blossom georgy took the trap to killay station to meet jane and morgan on friday tell georgy and hedley we can do sums and write in coppy give our love to them and them them we hope to see them in gow soon.

                    I remain your affectionate brother eddy

  

May 24^th 1880

Dear George

I am glad to say the little boys are quite well again.  I had to keep them in Bed three days they were very tired the last day.  I have not sent them to school & this afternoon they have been writeing to you.  Eddy has sent you plenty of Ink.  Jane and her Husband went back to Swansea this morning they came down on a sad errand poor Mrs Bevan died so suddenly it is a great grief to them all.  I had had your drawers made but not the shirts the Dressmaker is gone from home for a week or so I will send them to you as soon as I can get them made we are glad that you are going to stay with your Uncle this year.  I hope you will get on well & may the Lord be with you in all your goings.  I have been up since 4 oclock & cannot write a long letter to night.  We expect to Shear the Sheep to morrow if it is fine the weather has been very cold for the last few days & rain is much needed.  Sill will write & Tell you all news & with our kindest love I remain Dear George your ever

                              afft. Mother.

George is to receive a salary of £20 a year

George discusses his future plans in an incomplete letter to Sill

Llandudno

May 10^th

Saturday night

Dear Brother

I am writing away we have only just closed shop and it is now nearly ten oclock and I must go and get my supper or I shall not have any.  I shall not post this letter until Monday as I have no stamps and shall not be able to get any until then.

Your letter duly arived and I expected with it a long eloquent exposition on the portion of Scripture referred to.  But behold my dissapointment when I opened it and found nil.  But happly for me the teachers were changed and our usual classes were all joined and formed a singing meeting to prepare hymns for our anniversary so my paper was not read and I was not sorry for it was but a poor affair.  My Teacher has it or I would send it you.

I should advise you to begin it in your class, let several of you bring a paper and you will see in what points you differ and thus promote a healthy discussion amongst the scholars, which will enlarge their mental capabilities create a more intimate knowledge of the scriptures and the truths that is by them contained.  I am glad to hear your young horse is free from vices and hope he is swift in speed and sound in limb for when I come home he will have to swift whether he is sound or not.

I have come to arrangements with Uncle I shall have £20 for the first year and my washing & mending.  I did expect £25, but he says 20 was what he got at first and I suppose he measures my value by his own.  He said he would be very glad for me to stop and advised me to do so because I was rather small and boyish to try to get another situation.  I do not think I shall stay another year without he promises to do as he said when I came her first for I can learn no more here and shall try to get larger experience elsewhere.

Ofcourse this decision of mine will be greatly influenced by the advice I get from home and the circumstances which may transpire during the year.  But I cannot see that I shall be justified in staying here in comparitive ignorance (even for good wages) when I could improve myself and learn more thoroughly elsewhere.  Though as I told them I had spent 4 years of my life very happley on the whole with them and never expect to spend 4 such happy ones again, even that should not detain me for gathering experience and improving my talents with due care.  Except he opens a Branch establishment in some neighbouring place and sets me there, as he used to talk about and brighten my day dreams with the thought.  Of course for that I shall be quite fit for it will be precisely the same class of trade as we have here.  I do not wish any one to know of this only Father & Mother for I would that Uncle & Aunt should hear about it yet.

(incomplete)

Views inside a traditional ironmongers shop courtesy of The Bygones Victorian Museum and J.B. Banks & Son Ltd.

The Bygones Victorian Museum, St Marychurch, Torquay

 J.B. Banks & Son Ltd., 13-14 Market Place, Cockermouth.

Congratulations from Rowland

‘Loss leader’ marketing tactics are obviously not a new phenomenon. George's cousin Rowland married his Lizzie in the early summer of 1882 in her home town of Leek in Shropshire, prudently waiting until he was making a success of his business.

R.T. Bevan

Ironmonger

17, The Hayes,

Cardiff

May 5^th 1880

My dear Cousin

I was exceedingly pleased to hear from you the other day for tis such a long time since any communication passed between us, allow me to congratulate you on the termination of your apprenticeship and I must say with all due diffedence to Uncle’s welfare, that I commend your determination to leave Llandudno at an early period, for I presume your position and experience have now somewhat the same as I passed through, and I found that I had to learn and unlearn a great deal, if Mr. Hern was now in business I should recommend you to spend six months or so under his tuition, for he certain made a man of me if a man I am.  

Well dear Cousin you see I am now fairly in the battle of life and I find the struggle hard and as yet somewhat uncertain for you and I have opened a new business altogether matters would be far different perhaps had I taken on an old established place, as it is you see I must be content with merely casual customers as they pass by, for I have not been long enough in Cardiff to be very severally known but I flatter myself that the majority of my customers will come again once they have been here, nevertheless we have done very well indeed and things are improving.  

We are in a very good position and quite opposite a large American meat market, but Cardiff is such a place for cheap goods and unless you can get your hand up being a cheap man you are nowhere so I have some things outside my door every day marked very cheap, (a sprat to catch a mackrel). 

Mother has been up here for some time putting me all square or round, but she is now gone home again and I am left alone in the cargo hould, the first night (Sunday) I was left alone I heard a great noise down in the shop and must confess to having felt rather nervous, however so far so good as to having a housekeeper I have not the slightest intention of having a permanent one for years to come but when I do I suppose it will be the one I met at dear old Llandudno, I saw her at Xmas and she is still very well and just the same Lizzie Stubbs as ever.  

I suppose you have heard something from Gower on the subject but I have not pleased them so will as to tell them the particulars I have told you and you need not do so for they never said a word to me about Jane my old sweetheart wedding nor even sent me a bit of wedding cake, of course is quite natural for them to suppose I am going to marry so do all the Cardiff people but I should not like to take anyone from a comfortable home until I had provided at least an equal one for her.  

I am glad to know dear Cousin you are still going on in the good old way and earnestly pray you may continue so to do, please give my love to Florey and all the family dont forget Sill and tell him I am not in immediate want of a tinman but may be in the not very distant future, tell him I have not forgotten my promise to write to him.

          With love

                    Your affectionat Cousin

                              R.T. Bevan

 The Hayes and other old images of Cardiff

Gowerian Farmers

Family letters are abuzz as George comes to the end of his apprenticeship and Sill wants him to read the marriage advertisements.

                                        Overton Gower

May 4^th 1880

Dear Brother

I received your letter duly but cannot comply with your request as I never attempted anything of the sort, and do not know what form you would require it in, please send me a copy of yours and then I shall see, and may try at some future one, such a plan has been proposed in Horton Sunday School, for some of the big scholars to prepare papers on the lessons, but I do not think it ever will be practised. 

Pitton tea meeting will be held on Thursday next & some two or three of us are thinking to go, if all is well.  I expect to spend the Whit Sunday & Monday in Swansea with Jane to rest a bit after working so hard sowing barley etc.  The crops are looking very promising about here & the dry fine weather, with yesterdays rain has done not a little to cheer the drooping hearts of the Gowerian Farmers.  Uncle George has had a misfortune, in losing one of his horses (Boxer) on Saturday night, they have one young one 3 years old, besides old Pedlar he is very feeble & I think Uncle is going to Swansea fair on Saturday to buy another.

Our Lyster & Bright are in foal this year, & Boxer is very quiet in saddle, harness being free from vice.  We are well in advance with out work.

I shall like to know whether you & Uncle have made any arrangements, and from what date you receive wages and the amount.

Father and Mother are gone up to Castle this afternoon, as the school board meets at Oxwich this evening & Father is an Hon: Member,

Hoping you & all are quite well again, with kindest love

                              I remain

                                        Your loving Brother

                                                  Silvanus Bevan

P.S. Don’t forget to look over the marriage advertisements in the Camb after the sixth time of asking

N.G. The letters you send to me that you don’t wish Father to see please address to _ _ Jun without which of coarse I cannot open them.

General Election April 1880

A General election in April 1880 returned a Liberal government after six years of Conservative rule. In the grip of both an industrial and agricultural depression, the country at large was disappointed and disillusioned with the Conservative government. With 112 seats and a majority of over 50, Gladstone was Prime Minister for the second time.

The promise of a reform of the property law to ease the burden on tenant farmers and with Joseph Chamberlain as President of the Board of Trade, modernisation became the buzz word of 1880 politics.

Silvanus and George continue the topical political debate in their letters. It is difficult to assess how much of the discussion is gentle banter between the two brothers, especially in the incomplete letter written by Silvanus on 27th April.

Overton, Gower

April 27^th 80

My dear Brother

We are all quite well at present and have been expecting to hear from you since your last, because Mother wrote about three weeks ago to enquire about the measurement of your drawers etc as I suppose you want new ones, please let us know per return whether you received her letter or not, we are not surprised at your delay in answering it, because it is characteristic of conservation to neglect home duties, for the brag and bunkum! Of her foreign policy, no doubt you are very despondent now you have suffered such an unparalleled defeat you certainly are valiant fellows with all your great and grand achievements in maintaining the integrity and raising the glory of our nation to be able, only to return 2 to members for the principality of Wales.  So you see your leader has had the sack.  Without a character the nation would not be led on in blindness any further.  You remember the secrecy brought to light through the publication of a confidential clerk, just before the Berlin congress & that we evidently would have been at war with Russia had not it been for the zealous efforts of the Liberals who brought such a pressure to bear on the turn of events that happily we escaped a disastrous war & now the country has gratefully repaid them for their untiring energy in attempting to protect her trade and commerce and general welfare & now we feel thankful that

          Once more the flow of manly fervour rules,

          And checks the bloody, fratricidal strife,

          Redeems our Manhood from the clutch of fools,

          And lightens up the peaceful charms of life.

I am verily grevied that you are so blindly mislead by Jingoism & would urge you to turn from the evil of your ways, for you are fast becoming (instead of your father’s pride and Mother’s joy) your fathers shame and mother’s sorrow, by your darkness through unbelief in ……. (incomplete)

Heated political debate

George responds to Sill's political challenge - and concludes with some advice on how to combat scarlet fever.

Llandudno

April 12^th

Dear Brother

I have been scribbling a few political facts for your perusal during your spare time.  I hope they may open your eyes to see the things in the right way.  Since we have touched on politics, we may as well, express our opinions, however simple they may be, for if we live I hope we shall have the priveledge of a vote or perhaps be honoured as a candidate & a member but I fear Owr lot Lorbad

          The applause of listening sends to command

          The threat of pain or ruin to dispise

          To scatter Plenty ore a smilling land

          And read our history in a nations eyes

          We shall more likely, along the

          Cool sequesterd vale of life, Persue

          the voiceless terror of our way

Politics

I have refered to page 7 of the Cambrian and have read with disgust the few arguments you liberals advance to show why the electors should not vote for the Conservatives.  And I claim that the spirited Foreign Policy has been the means of preserving us from the horrors of war.  The Berlin Memorandum had nothing more in view than that the three great powers of the Continent should portion out to themselves the rest of Europe and rule the world.  The agreement had been drawn out and they were just going to sign it when one of the emperors said What will England say now their minds were filled with fear for they knew that England under the Beaconsfield administration was fast rising from the weak state in which Gladstone had left her and if she refused to sign would be a dangerous foe to conquer, but if she signed a powerfull ally.  Let us send their Cabinet a copy and get them to sign it says one.  So a copy was sent and the cabinet rejects its proposals as aggressive and unfair, and with the patriotism of Englishmen refused to sign and said we take the consequences for we will be no party to deprive either small or weak turk or servian of their rights.  What were the consequences?  The Berlin Memorandum was destroyed the dangerous triple alliance squashed and the present Austrian German treaty the result.  A treaty entered into with the view of curbing the aggressive passions of Russian showing that Europeans & Continental nations see in her policy a danger, which is seen only by Conservatives in England, and utterly ignored by the Whigs.  

Benjamin Disraeli, Lord Beaconsfield

Again, did we not do our utmost to prevent the Russia Turkish war did we not send our Representatives to Turkey to try and persuade them not to go to war but Russian demands were excessive and nothing but war would satisfy her.  Did not Russian Priests excite and stir up the poor fanatics (which you liberals please to call Christians) in Servia, Bugaria & Montenegro to rebellion and when the [porle] tried to repress them sent her soldiers & officers to help and to continue the rebellion. 

Let me ask you is Russia a Christian Nation, if so, why is her press gagged her peoples opinions hushed, and what means these throngs of Prisoners on their was to the Cold tombs of Siberia.  Hark, what is that noise like thunder tis their attempt to murder their Emperor tis the outburst of passion from her downtrodden people who are ruled with a rod of Iron & Oppression.  What better are the Russians than the Turks.  Follow me over the Steppes of Asia and see the oppressed Kihavians and the merciless slaughter of the Turkomans.  This aggressive policy on the frontiers of China, and watch them cast their longing eyes on the rich plains of our own Indian Empire many more reasons could I adduce to show you that Russia is morally & politically worse thank the turk had I time. 

Turkey never would have drawn the sword had not Russia instigated the so called Christians to rise in insurrection. The Servians never spared woman or child of the turks and could you expect the turk to be better than the Christian.  The stories told of Bulgarian Atrocities are scarce one of them true being exaggerated and high coloured by the Russian.  As soon as Turkey had succeeded in quelling the various insurrections, Russia steps in and says that the parties that had been beaten should have governments of their own.  Is that fair, why not have said so at first, and settled the questions before war begin, no Russia wanted to divide turkey and weaken her power and then she would try to get a piece for her share and for the sly and mean part she had played in the background.  So turkey called the powers together and tried to settle in the best way she could this new difficulty.  And after the conference every power seemed to be satisfied when all of a sudden Russia declared war and hurried her legions across the Pra. 

What your liberal leaders wanted us to do was to Join with Russia in the [in the] degrading mission of adding to her territory and subjects on which she may display her iron rule.  I ask you again would that be fair, two strong nations to oppress a weak one.  No Conservatives could not sink the honours of England as low as that but Liberals may.  

This war which the liberals advocated would have cost 50 millions and we should have gained nothing only added to Russian territory, and have closed the high road to our Indian possessions.  Again we have always held the opinion, whether liberal or conservative that Constantinople & Asia minor are the chief roads to our Indian Empire an Enemy in possession of those points would soon be in a position to attack us with advantage.  So we informed the Russians how far we should allow them to go before we should actively interfer Said we, you must not break the line of Gallipoli or our Ships shall advance and protect our interests, did Russia heed our warning no but advanced at her peril and not till then did our ship enter Turkish waters. 

William Gladstone

Here was the beginning of Englands Rise Russia thought she would be afraid but now found her mistake and so her forces retired to adrianople and our ships to the mediterrain.  Suppose the liberals had been in power.  They would have maintained an indifference until Russia had conquered Constantinople and then would have been forced to war to dislodge her.  The last war cost them about 200 millions and thousands of men and I am of the opinion that this would have cost them double or treble that amount.  The conservatives with the six millions went boldly up and thus avoided the horror of war and of exhausting the exchequer and her army by bloodshed.  And raised England again to the biggest & greatest nation in the world.

                    When Gladstone was in power

                    Her banner in the dust did lay

                    But now unrivalled flys it in the air

                    Supported there by Beaconsfield’s Command.

Again you attack our Afghan policy as an unjust war.  Liberals have advanced the opinion that Afghan must be our friends or not be strong, very well.  You Liberals gave Afghan the cold shoulder and made her your enemy, and left the disagreeable duty of making her weak to the conservatives as a legacy when you went out of power.  

We should not have done that however, if they had treated us with the respect which is due to us, but they admitted our known enemies to her capital and refused us who had the greater claim to be there, insulted our representatives, and instigated by Russia bid us defiance. 

The intrigues of Russia and her known design upon India Rendered it necessary that our frontiers should be adjusted and strengthened.  Thus it was plainly our duty to repress an insolent tribe which had been used as a cats paw by Russia and to protect ourselves from Russia herself.  

I cannot dwell further upon this question my recent illness prevented me gaining information which I should desire and we take a Liberal paper here and it cannot be relied upon.  

Sir Bartle Frere

The Zulu war was one of the most needed and was that ever undertaken by the British crown. Had not Sir Bartle Frere advanced at once against them they would have been down on Cape Colony and have murdered ever white man in the colony.  The Ulundi  disaster is an incident which has caused much regret to Conservatives & Liberals but it is plain they did their duty and fought like Brittons. But did not Lord Chelmsford retrieve that at Ulundi and had finished the war before you bolsted Liberal arrived?  All these troubles were legacies left by the Liberals and now they have been settled the Liberals will quietly go back again and reap the benefit in the years of peace & plenty which will & naturally follow. 

If the Liberals go in the honour of Britain will sink again to where the Conservatives found it and her name will be a byword among the nations never to be raised until Conservatives take the helm and her captain stands once more on the bridge and directs her again to Honour if it is through the billows of war.  The name of that Captain is Beaconsfield.  To such a name May England long Preserve a broad approach of fame And never ceasing avenues of song.  

Neither have they neglected domestic legislation or exhausted the finances of the country to half the extent that the liberals did before them.  The boasted six millions surplus was a myth & a fraud – which realised only £800000.  The conservatives have not resorted to that mean policy of Gladstones that is to collect 5 quarter taxes in one year, which he did in 1870.  A Conservative year has only 4 quarters.  Neither have we recklessly given away 3 millions to the Americans on the pretex of an Alabama Award without inquiring into the details and getting Cheated of a Million & half by giving them too much.  That is how the Liberals squandered our money and disgraced our honour, fenced in a corner the Liberal would rather pay away the earning of the labourer than fight for his rights.  

The Americans had no ground at all for such a claim (and if they had it was the liberals let her escape from Berkenhead) but instead of standing up for Englands glory he payed her demands out of the public fund.  Such was the case with Ancient Rome, preferring to pay off her assailants than to fight them she soon succumbed to idle mess and her power began to wane which soon led to her overthrow & Ruin.  And such will be the case of England under the Whigs her now powerful fleet will sink into the same state as before and her Cheeseparing policy will Ruin her.  

Hoping this may convert you into a powerful supporter of the tories and that you will leave the rotten policy of the Whigs and go in with me for peace honour & glory with the Conservatives no more paper or I may enlighten you on other subjects.

Whatever may be our lot, there is no harm in gathering all knowledge that we may be enlightened on all subjects. And be interesting to those with whom we come in contact. amen 

I am glad to say that I am quite well and hope you are the same.  We are all sorry to hear of the ravages of the scarlet fever down there.  Aunt thinks it would be a wise plan & a preventive for you to get some sulphur and burn in the rooms, you can buy it at the chemists it does not cost very much per lb.  The way to do it is to heat an old pan red hot and put in the room on a tray or large stone and then drop a few lumps of sulpher into it.  Close all holes & put something at the foot of the door to keep all the smoke in the room.  It is warranted to kill all moths fleas, Bugs & beetles as well as to prevent fever.  Aunt and the children are all gone to Betws y Coed for a little while.  And Mr. Bevan went upon Saturday and I expect him back this Evening.

I remain

                              Your aff. Brother

                                        George

Political musings

Today Chancellor George Osborne will deliver what is being described as 'a bleak mini-budget.' Read Sill's view on the Conservative Party of 130 years ago as the country prepared for a General Election.

Henry Goulburn Tory Chancellor Jan 1828-Nov 1830

 Overton Gower

April 1^st 1880

My Dear Brother

 I duly received your letter and was glad to hear you are quite well & able to discuss politics so well, I think you had better leave the ranks of the Tories & join those of the Whigs I felt greatly relieved on reading your letter.  I did not think your party had the interest of the country i.e. at home, so much to heart, as to pass those few good laws that you enumerated, to shorten this letter, let me refer you to page seven in the Cambrian & there you will see a great many things they would not do, they were too much occupied with their “spirited” foreign policy, by which they have tarnished and degraded the very name of our nation by upholding the rotten, mislead, despotism of Turkey.  Why not have signed the Berlin Memorandum? & acted jointly with the other powers of Europe in establishing good laws, and order, in the oppressed provinces of Turkey, instead of leaving it in the hands of Russia and thus prevented a unjust and worthless war, & then when both combatants were quite exhausted, to step in for a share of the spoil with such menacing as sending the fleet up the Dardenells & such expressions as “when the sword is drawn justice shall be done” on the back of a very great injustice, at the cost of six millions, which would have done far more good & more honourable had it been distributed to feed our starving poor at home, to be relieved of taxes is very good to be sure but I like to “pay as we go” not to be adding to our nationall debt, which with the Conservatives in power will soon get too heavy a burden to bear and this hasten the time when your bands of pilgrims will be visiting our ruined towns etc.

Just think of the Zulu war with its immense cost of lives & money which you Conservatives so boldly undertook but could not find a man competent to bring it to a honourable conclusion, of your own party, were obliged to send a Liberal (Ld. Garnet) to settle that dificult problem, & now you have a nother in Afghanistan which is nothing less than a sore on the late Cabinet’s head) which none of your doctors can cure.

You will see a letter in the Cambrian by “Informant” owning to Irish & Conservative rogues, I have almost been ruined, but however, I hope we shall have a more enlightened government, next! Which I think is pretty sure.

Please send a Conservative paper sometimes & Punch ever week till the election is over.

We had a good Tea Meeting on Good Friday.  Jane was home from Thursday until Tuesday, and Morgan and Frank, except Saturday.

Hannah went to Swansea yesterday to begin her term to day for two years learning the Millinery & dressmaking.  She is to lodge with Jane at 22 George Street.

We have nearly finished ploughing for barley but have now sown much.

Hoping this will find you quite well & every success to the Liberals.

                              I remain

                                        Your affection:

                                                  Brother S. Bevan

Jane gets all the letters now

Castle Square

Feb. 26^th 1880

My Dear Brother

 I was very sorry to hear that you were down in the scarlet fever and hope that you are well and strong again and all the others.  I have been to Jane’s this evening and she told me to say that she had been in Swansea a month and you had not written to her yet.  We have been very busy in the shop this week taking down stock we have been in until 12pm every night and I have got very tired at it and am very Glad its over.  When will you be out of your apprentice and will you come home before you begin to work as an assistant.  I wrote to you about 3 weeks ago but I suppose you were too Ill to answer my letter.  I have not Heard from Home for the Last fortnight.  Jane gets all the letters now and I have to go out there to get all the news.  I have no more news now.

                              From your

                              affectionate

                                        Brother

                                        F. Bevan