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| A Shopping Trip to Leeds |
| Leeds - the shopping paradise of the north of England. So it was two-hundred years ago, so it is now. In 1815 Sarah Ellis travelled from Selby to Leeds. Her diary records the trip. |
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Saturday morning, Mr. E.I. and Mrs. Slaughter,
got in to a post chaise and EE road with the man that drove,
set off a little before seven o'clock. Arrived at Hull just in
time for the railway packett, which we enter'd as soon as we
left the chaise. We had a fine run to Selby, I am told about forty miles. At one place it was rather shallow, and two men on each side of the ship, having a long piece of wood mark'd a foot black and a foot white, plumb'd the depth of water for a considerable time. It was a little as seven foot at one time. Soon after we took a turn and got into a much narrower river and more depth of water. Feeling the air cool on Board, I went down into the cabbin, which was paper'd with crimson damask paper, a table set out with plates of shrimps. At the bottom of the stairs was a little taproom, where we might be supplied with any thing we needed. We had a glass of wine good. I found a penny magazine arid amused myself by reading the account of the diamond. Stopt several times to take in passengers; at length we landed at Selby. (As we past Brough we look'd and shook my handkerchief but no one could we see. We little thought then that Mrs. Ellis was at Mr. Beaumonts looking to make out the packett we was in but could not, and being directed, soon found the rail way coaches, got into one which holds six passengers, very roomy, with a piece of wood between each, flat at the top to lay your arm on. |
| We went at rather a slow pace for that conveyance. I understand the ingine threw off the water very much; I think it might be so, as Elizabeth often said how the water sprincles in my face. They were oblig'd to stop to recruit with thick water, which caused it to make much noise. Took a young man with us which made five. We had to pass through a dark tunnel, of some length that was dismal. |
| Got safe to Leeds took an Omnibus which carried us to an Inn. Here we stopt till Monday. Leeds is a fine town, but very dirty and dusty, and so was the Inn. It was markett day, we could see the stalls out of our window, as we drove along in the Omnibus, I saw a great number of shoestalls; I concluded it was of no use to count them, for they increased as we went. I think there was not so much earthenware as at Hull, one stall before the Inn had oranges and lemons to sell. I went out and bought two oranges for sixpence: they were fine large ones. |
| In the evening went with Mrs. S. and E. to see a Bazzaar; it was like going into a large hall fill'd with shops, some for toys, some with caps and collars etc., some with jewelry, and various things besides. We walk'd round the bottom part, then ascended the stairs, which was in like manner occupied; one person had a very long shop. I thought she must look sharp when she was at one end, that she was not rob'd at the other. I purchased a pair of chamber Bellows here, as I wishd for something to remember Leeds. It was getting so dusky I was troubled to see. Mrs. S. made some little purchase, I think a pair of salts; we then return'd to the Inn, and found the markett which we had to pass thro - very busy. |
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| Sunday went to Salem chapel where the late Mr. Parsons preached, and heard Mr. Eleg, from Rom. 8 and 18. He seem'd to choose it as consolation to a bereaved family of the church; he is a man of good ability and has a good voice, very pritty, but I did not feel it. We went in the afternoon, he preach'd from Tim 3 and 16, it was their ordinance day I perceived, as there was something cover'd up on the table. We three women stopt and went up into the Gallery, now we saw the table spread and all the vessels exposed to view, 4 cups in 4 plates, two high Tankerds with covers in plates; 4 plates with bread out or broke ready, with two pieces of bread laid in those plates nearest to him, which I saw him brake at the beginning. I think it was all silver, the cups wash'd with gold. He prayed and spoke a little, while he was breking the bread amongst the rest he said; after prayer he handed the bread to the 4 Deacons and the Clark, who only sat in the table pew with him, and took of the same himself. When they had set a while the 4 Deacons rose and took each a plate and went round to the people; when they return'd they partook of the wine first, and then carried it round as before. I was much pleased with the proprosity of his conduct - he spoke not while the elements were distributing - I should think them was 150 or 200 members; solidity and reverence mark'd the place; we sang an hymn and came away. |
| At night we went to hear a Mr. Acworth, a Baptist Minister; he did not preach, but I suppose a scotch man as he said he came from Dundee. When he rose to pray, near all the people sat on their seats which I think showd a want of reverence, I have forgot where his text was, but it was a long one out of one of the gosples. His sermon had nothing to do with his text, and more I thought he said somethings erronious. I could not help thinking he was an imposter. We came out before he had done, and glad to make our escape. |
| I should have said on Saturday, we took a walk to find a house that Mr. Slaughter sold some hops to last year, and he wish'd Mrs. S. to call and enquire if they wanted any more. When we came to it, Mr. and Mrs. S. went in and was to walk gently back. I wishd to call at a shop and sit till they came, but as were going along saw a markett place, so we went and set down there, after I had spread my handkerchief on the seat, least it should soil my gown. When we saw Mr. E. and Mrs. S. pass we hastend away and I forgot my handkerchief; thought no more of it till we had got near to the Inn, so I left that behind as I thought it would he gone before I got there. It was a small white handkerchief with red border. |
| Monday set off early in a stage from the Inn. |
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