went through the north country that
a great deal of money might be made by opening Wales, that is, by mining
in Wales in the proper fashion, which means the north country fashion,
for there is no other fashion of mining good for much. There had long
been mines in Wales, but they had always been worked in a poor, weak,
languid manner, very different from that of the north country. So a
company was formed, at the head of which were the Aldens, George and
Thomas, for opening Wales, and they purchased certain mines in these
districts which they knew to be productive, and which might be made yet
more so, and settling down here called themselves the Rheidol United.
Well, after they had been here a little time they found themselves in
want of a man to superintend their concerns, above all in the smelting
department. So they thought of me, who was known to most of the mining
gentry in the north country, and they made a proposal to me through
George Alden, afterwards Sir George, to come here and superintend. I
said no at first, for I didn't like the idea of leaving Durham county to
come to such an outlandish place as Wales; howsomeover, I at last allowed
myself to be overpersuaded by George Alden, afterwards Sir George, and
here I came with my wife and family--for I must tell your honour I had
married a respectable young woman of Durham county, by whom I had two
little ones--here I came and did my best for the service of the Rheidol
United. The company was terribly set to it for a long time, spending a
mint of money and getting very poor returns. To my certain knowledge,
the two Aldens, George and Tom, spent between them thirty thousand
pounds. The company, however, persevered, chiefly at the instigation of
the Aldens, who were in the habit of saying, 'Never say die!' and at last
got the better of all their difficulties and rolled in riches, and had
the credit of being the first company that ever opened Wales, which they
richly deserved, for I will uphold it that the Rheidol United,
particularly the Aldens, George and Thomas, were the first people who
really opened Wales. In their service I have been for five-and-thirty
years, and daresay shall continue so till I die. I have been tolerably
comfortable, your honour, though I have had my griefs, the bitterest of
which was the death of my wife, which happened about eight years after I
came to this country. I thought I should have gone wild at first, your
honour; having, how