Dibdin

THOMAS DIBDIN (1776 - 1847)

Dibdin was a noted bibliographer and librarian to Lord Spencer at Althorp. Among his lively works is the Picturesque Tour in the Northern Counties of England (1838). Of the great new covered markets in Newcastle built by Richard Grainger, he writes:

'Learn therefore, that here is the LARGEST market-place in England, probably in Europe... The markets of Newcastle cover somewhat more than two acres... The roof is of wood, with pendant corbels: the sides are of substantial stone. The whole is lofty, capacious and calculated for every good service, as well as picturesque effect. At given stations there are fountains of marble in the centre: of which the water, in warm weather, refrigerates and sweetens the whole atmosphere. It is a glorious vista - and was once occupied (on the opening of the markets 22 October 1835) by TWO THOUSAND GUESTS; irradiated by gas-light. 'Nothing has been seen like it (said my friend Mr Adamson) since the days of Belshazzar...'

Of the Tyne, Dibdin remarks impressively: 'Upon the breast of this river, not fewer than fifteen thousand vessels are known in the last year to have taken their departures.' The river was famed for salmon; Dibdin records that on 12 June 1755, some 2400 fish were taken in the Tyne, and upwards of 2000 on 20 June 1758. Dibdin gives a graphic picture of what met his eyes as he travelled across the Tyne from Gateshead to Newcastle in 1838:

'Looking up to the County hall, before you pendent from the clouds, with the old black castle... I have seen these objects lighted up by a setting sun, darting its beams of gold through a dense cloud of smoke, above which the summits of the two buildings glittered as if they were not fastened down to the soil of this earth.'

Of St Nicholas, however, he states: 'It is quite marvellous to consider what a fuss is made by the Newcastletonians about this, their 'darling pet', as they call it. Dibdin visited Sunderland and marvelled at the great arch of the iron bridge: '

'My daughter and myself quitted our chaise for a leisurely survey of this new world of wonders upon which it seemed that we were about to enter. It was decisive enough that we were now in the region of COAL. Houses, windows, walls, pillars, posts and posterns, were all more or less veiled in what may be delicately designated as black crape. Even the human countenance seemed to partake of it; and for one pure intermingling of the lily and the rose, you shall see a score of carbonated physiognomies.'

Myers Literary Guide:	The North-East
THOMAS DIBDIN (1776 - 1847) Dibdin was a noted bibliographer and librarian to Lord Spencer at Althorp. Among his lively works is the Picturesque Tour in the Northern Counties of England (1838). Of the great new covered markets in Newcastle built by Richard Grainger, he writes: 'Learn therefore, that here is the LARGEST market-place in England, probably in Europe... The markets of Newcastle cover somewhat more than two acres... The roof is of wood, with pendant corbels: the sides are of substantial stone. The whole is lofty, capacious and calculated for every good service, as well as picturesque effect. At given stations there are fountains of marble in the centre: of which the water, in warm weather, refrigerates and sweetens the whole atmosphere. It is a glorious vista - and was once occupied (on the opening of the markets 22 October 1835) by TWO THOUSAND GUESTS; irradiated by gas-light. 'Nothing has been seen like it (said my friend Mr Adamson) since the days of Belshazzar...' Of the Tyne, Dibdin remarks impressively: 'Upon the breast of this river, not fewer than fifteen thousand vessels are known in the last year to have taken their departures.' The river was famed for salmon; Dibdin records that on 12 June 1755, some 2400 fish were taken in the Tyne, and upwards of 2000 on 20 June 1758. Dibdin gives a graphic picture of what met his eyes as he travelled across the Tyne from Gateshead to Newcastle in 1838: 'Looking up to the County hall, before you pendent from the clouds, with the old black castle... I have seen these objects lighted up by a setting sun, darting its beams of gold through a dense cloud of smoke, above which the summits of the two buildings glittered as if they were not fastened down to the soil of this earth.' Of St Nicholas, however, he states: 'It is quite marvellous to consider what a fuss is made by the Newcastletonians about this, their 'darling pet', as they call it. Dibdin visited Sunderland and marvelled at the great arch of the iron bridge: ' 'My daughter and myself quitted our chaise for a leisurely survey of this new world of wonders upon which it seemed that we were about to enter. It was decisive enough that we were now in the region of COAL. Houses, windows, walls, pillars, posts and posterns, were all more or less veiled in what may be delicately designated as black crape. Even the human countenance seemed to partake of it; and for one pure intermingling of the lily and the rose, you shall see a score of carbonated physiognomies.'
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