Welsh Journals

Thorne to deal with a theme which ties up well with the earlier contributions by Dr. Howell, and the last chapter on the social and economic patterns of Pembrokeshire during the French Wars provides a fitting conclusion to the volume. The role of defensive factors in the county's history at that time inspires Roland Thorne and Robert Howell to examine a social and military feature which has threatened and occupied maritime communities over the centuries. This splendid volume is skilfully edited and printed; the contributions are consistently of a high standard, and ample illustrated material is provided. More reference, however, could have been made to the Welsh cultural scene in certain aspects of the county's development; that dimension does require further elucidation in view of the social divide in a linguistic context, as well as the cleavage which occurred between the upper gentry and the traditional cultural heritage. Nevertheless, this volume contributes richly to the history of Wales as well as of Pembrokeshire and is a credit to all involved in its publication. J. GWYNFOR JONES Cardiff PLANS OF HARBOURS, BARS, BAYS AND ROADS IN ST. GEORGE'S CHANNEL. By Lewis Morris. Monensis, London 1748. Republished (with an introduction by Adrian Robinson) by Lewis Morris Productions, Beaumaris, 1987. £ 40.00 (hardback), £ 20.00 (softback). Before the advent of the railways to Wales during the second half of the nineteenth century, the numerous ports and creeks that dotted the Welsh coastline had played a vital role in facilitating commerce and trade. In the seventeenth century there were upwards of sixty recognised ports, creeks and pills located between Chepstow and Chester, each in varying degrees sustaining a considerable volume of trade into and out of the hinterland and littoral regions of Wales. Following the early development of the mineral resources of Wales-iron, coal and, to a lesser degree, lead-the volume of trade increased, not only between Welsh and English and foreign ports, but also between port and port in Wales. The subsequent increase in sea traffic brought into sharper focus the many hazards that confronted Welsh mariners, more especially those engaged in the coast to coast trade. Their knowledge of the coastline was often based on empirical knowledge and on navigational charts that were either inadequate or, indeed, out of date, a situation which, according to Lewis Morris, contributed to 'the melancholy account of shipwrecks and losses so frequent on the coast of Wales'. Indeed, no one was more mindful of the disadvantages under which mariners operated than Lewis Morris himself. His appointment in July 1729 as Waiter and Searcher at the Customs House at Beaumaris and Holyhead (an appointment he held until 1743) brought him into daily contact with ships' masters and captains, as well as providing him with an opportunity of acquainting himself with the tides and shipping of the island of Anglesey, and more