Fifty years of railway life in England, Scotland and Ireland (1920) (14757722411)

Identifier: fiftyyearsofrail00tatl (find matches)
Title: Fifty years of railway life in England, Scotland and Ireland
Year: 1920 (1920s)
Authors: Tatlow, Joseph, b. 1851
Subjects: Railroads -- Great Britain History
Publisher: London : The Railway gazette
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN



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Every morning an old jackdaw perched on a chimneyoutside our skylight, and entertained us with his chatter. Atock said theold bird had perched there during all his time; and as long as I visitedBallinasloe—a period of nearly twenty years, he regularly reappeared. To be able once a year to entertain friends and customers of the com-pany was one of the reasons, probably the main reason, why the directorspassed the fair week at Ballinasloe. Their hospitality was not limited toinvitations to dinner, for guests were welcomed, without special invitation,to breakfast and lunch and light refreshments during the day. It was anarrangement which gave pleasure to both hosts and guests, and was notwithout advantage to the company. A good dinner solves many a difficulty,whilst the post-prandial cigar and a glass of grog, like faith, removesmountains. One who, in the last century, became a great English states-man (Lord John Russell) when twenty years of age was in Spain. The Due To fare page 120
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BALLINASLOE FATE AND STR GEORGE FINDLAY 127 dInfantado was President of the Spanish Ministry at the time. The Dukeof Wellington was there too, and great banquets were being given. The Duehad more than once visited Lord Johns home and enjoyed its hospitality,but he neglected to invite Lord John to any of his banquets; and this is thecutting comment which the youthful future statesman recorded in hisdiary: The Infantado, notwithstanding the champagne and burgundy hegot at Woburn, has not asked me. Shabby fellow! It is clear he is unfitfor the government of a great kingdom. In the creature comforts provided at Ballinasloe the working staff wasnot forgotten. Adjacent to the station was a large room in which mealswere provided for the men, and another large room was furnished as adormitory. Two long sleeping carriages had also been built for the accom-modation of drivers, guards and firemen, which were used also for otherfairs as well as that of Ballinasloe. Ballinasloe was new to me, and