He was the curate of Clyro near Hay, and the Vicar of Bredwardine, a little further to the south. It was not written with the intention of publication, and his wife destroyed parts of it. It gives a portrait of the Welsh borders in the mid 19th century, especially the hardship of life for many of the working people. Gill found it surprising how much he travelled, and envied him the use of a local railway line running along the Welsh Border towns through Hay, a line which is now sadly closed, and appeared only as an interesting geographical feature on the map where she walked. Kilvert loved the area, and embarked on long walks in the Brecon Beacons.
Gill was disturbed by his writings about young girls of around 8 year's old/early teens, which she felt were too sexual and would create suspicions today. He courted many young women in their late teens/early twenties, but was unsuccessful in marriage, mostly because their parents forbade it. She wondered about his attitude to women and whether it was typical of the time or not.
Gill 2/12/01