Journal of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Kemble, Saturday August 28, 1773

From Bath to Bristol is 13 miles, Bristol is a large fine City, situated partly on the side of a fine Hill, and many fine prospects from it, among the rest is that height Oliver Cromwell possessed when he took Bristol, with the perfect form of the Lines and Batterie's he threw up on that occasion, which Commanded the whole City. Prince Rupert's place of Encampment is likewise shown when he came to the relief of Bristol, which he could not effect. This Country is full of Coal, and abounds in brass and Copper Manufacturies, which are carried on here with great success on account of the ease in getting Coal for those works. The Rivers Frome and Avon meet here, large Boats go 70 and 80 miles up the Avon, and bring down the Produce of the Country and Manufacturies. About 4 or 5 Miles from Bristol, is a house of Mr. Southwell, which is most delightfully situated having an extensive prospect of the Channel, Wales, and of the low Country on the Bristol side of the Channel. Castle Blase belonging to a Mr. Farr, deserves particular notice for it's beautiful Situation, and neat appearance, having a full view of the Channel, King Road, Wales &c., near it is a very steep Valley, and if we believe Ancient Stories, where the Avon did Run formerly. but that St. Jerome having had a Quarrel with a Giant of a Monstrous size, who was in the Valley, the Saint turned the course of the Water to prevent the Giant from Washing his feet, as he was accustomd to do. Opposite to the Hills are the Vestiges of two Ancient Encampments, supposed one to be Roman from the Cement that had been used in facing the Rampart, the other British from no Cement being used, but only loose stone. The Situation of both is very Strong and requires but one face to be fortified, the other being protected by nature. From Bristol to London 113 Miles, thro' Bath, Marlborough, Reading, Maidenhead &c. but as we came the first part of the way in the dark, and the other part were very Sleepy, we made but few Observations, Reading Appeared to be a very pretty, and tolerably extensive Town, with some Water Running thro' it, and several fine looking houses in its Environs.

We left Bristol at 9 in the Evening, and were at London at six the next Evening.

SOURCE: New York Historical Society, Publisher, Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year 1883: The Kemble Papers, Vol. 1 1773-1789, pp. 18-9