Chapter VII: Introduction (6)

TRESCOW, which is situated two miles south-west of St. Mary’s, is only about half the size of that island; although _Leland_ describes it as the largest of the whole cluster. It is, however, chiefly remarkable for having once possessed a monastery, some small remains of which are to be seen in a very beautiful situation, near the borders of a lake, separated from the sea by an ever-green bank. There are also the ruins of several other buildings; but those belonging to the _Old Castle_, which are situated on an eminence overlooking the harbour are most extensive. “Some other fortifications are called _Oliver’s Castle_, _Battery_, &c., in honor of Cromwell; though that called _Oliver’s Castle_ seems to have been originally fortified many years prior to the civil wars; about the conclusion of which, these islands were seized for the king, by Sir John Grenville, who afterwards capitulated to Blake and Sir George Ascough.

This event was chiefly effected through the judicious disposition of the Parliament’s forces on this island, and on Bryher; which prevented supplies being carried to St. Mary’s, where the King’s forces were concentrated.”[55]

The number of inhabitants at _Dolphin Town_ amounts to about fifty families, who live in about twenty small houses. Here is also a _Church_ and some _Tin Mines_; the latter, although of little value, are said to be the only mines now to be seen on any of the islands. This circumstance is the more singular, as the Scilly Islands have long been noted for their _numerous mines_, and extensive trade with the Phenecians, &c. Much has been said by _Borlase_ and other celebrated writers respecting the great change which the islands have undergone; not only in regard to antiquities, trade, extensive population, &c.; but that it must be evident to those who are acquainted with the situation, _all the changes_ have arisen from the continual encroachments made by the sea, and violent tempests. The many shipwrecks which have also occurred, have in a great measure prevented many persons from entering into trade with them. It is the opinion also of a very eminent writer; that the islands are undoubtedly undergoing a gradual diminution; and that at no great distance of time, St. Mary’s will probably be divided by the sea, and a channel formed through the low land, between the new town and the south-east side of the garrison.

BRYHER or BREHAR, so called from its extreme mountainous position, is situated to the west of Trescow, and contains little to interest the tourist, except several barrows; the largest of which, situated on high ground, is 77 feet in diameter. Borlase says, “within this barrow are many _kistvaens_, as the Britons call stone cells; and many of the flat stones which covered them, lie here and there; some keeping their first station, and some being removed to make stands for shooting rabbits, with which this part of the hill abounds.” The number of families now resident in Brehar, do not exceed 20. At low water, the Sands between this island and that of Trescow, may be crossed by foot passengers.

SAMPSON ISLAND is chiefly composed of two circular hills, connected by a low rocky precipice. The inhabitants are but trifling compared to the other islands, but it is noted by Borlase for containing several stone barrows, some rock basins, a _kistraen_, &c.

After the conquest of the Scilly Islands by King Athelstan, they were bestowed on several monks, and continued in their possession till the reign of Henry I., who granted “to _Osbert_, one of the Abbots of Tavistock,” all the churches of _Scilly_, with their appurtenances, and the land, as the monks or hermits held it in the time of Edward the Confessor, and Burgald, Bishop of Cornwall. “Prior to the reign of Edward I., they appear to have reverted to the crown, being then held by Ranulph de Blackminster, who paid annually, at Michaelmas, _a rental of 300 puffins, or six shillings and eight pence_.” In the reign of James I., they were leased to Sir Francis Godolphin, and are now held by the Duke of Leeds, on a lease for 31 years, granted in the year 1800, at an annual rent of £40, with the option of a renewal on paying a fine of £4000.

The climate of the Scilly Islands is reputed to be both milder, and more equable than that of Cornwall; but the storms which occur, are more sudden and violent. The natives are remarked for being a robust and hardy race of people; but as a late celebrated writer[56] observes, “were it not for the facility with which they obtain spirituous liquors, they would live to an advanced age.”

They are mostly employed in maritime pursuits, and in making kelp from the _Algæ_, which is disposed of to the Bristol merchants for the use of the glass manufactories. The same writer also justly observes; “from a combination, however, of unfortunate circumstances, in addition to the fatal blow given to the smuggling trade by the activity of the preventitive service, the inhabitants were reduced to such extreme distress, that it became necessary in the year 1819, to appeal to the generosity of the public in their behalf; and notwithstanding the great difficulties of the times, the sum of £9000 was collected for their relief: in this great work of charity it is but an act of justice to state, that the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, by their purse, as well as by their writings, performed a very essential service. The funds thus obtained, were in part appropriated to the relief of the immediate and pressing distress under which they laboured, while the remainder was very judiciously applied towards the promotion of such permanent advantages as might prevent the chance of its recurrence. A fish cellar was accordingly provided in the island of Trescow, for the purpose of storing and curing fish; boats adapted for the mackerel and pilchard fisheries were purchased, and others were repaired; nets and various kinds of tackling were also at the same time liberally supplied. By such means have the inhabitants of these cheerless rocks been enabled to avail themselves of some of the resources which Providence has placed within their reach, and their families have been thus enabled to exist without the dread of absolute starvation.”

Notwithstanding this relief, the fisheries of the Scilly Isles are capable of much extension, and although the expense incident to the necessary outfit would be considerable, yet the advantages to the inhabitants would be incalculable. The importance of this subject has been very ably brought to notice by the Rev. George Woodley, Missionary from the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, and Minister of St. Agnes and St. Martin’s, in his work on the State of the Scilly Islands, which was published in the year 1822.

Various species of fish are to be caught by the hook and line at these islands during the season, and which are salted by the inhabitants for winter consumption.

A very curious fact is also noticed respecting the arrival of the woodcock, in Scilly, that they are generally to be had there before any other place in England. Owing to the great distance they are supposed to have travelled, great numbers have been taken by the natives, from their becoming exhausted; instances have also occurred of their falling dead by striking against the light-house, the splendour of the lanthern no doubt having attracted them!

To the geologist, the Scilly Islands present but little to interest; at St. Mary’s are several beds of _porphyry_ and _clorite_ containing pyrites; the former are deserving of attention on account of their distinct appearance of stratification. The granite of the Lizard Point at the Island of Trescow, the felspar of which is of a pure white, might be advantageously employed in the China manufactories.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix.

The interior of the _church_ of _St. Anthony_, which is situated on the coast south of Falmouth, is highly deserving of notice from its style of architecture, the arch separating the nave being a fine specimen of Anglo-Norman workmanship.

In the parish of Luxilian is an immense pile of rocks, totally different from the Roach Rocks, yet extremely well worth seeing; they are seated on a considerable eminence, and many of the ponderous fragments have rolled into the valley beneath, presenting altogether a very singular appearance. In some places the stones very much resemble antient cromlechs.

_Four-Hole Cross_ is situated about six miles on the right of the road leading from Bodmin to Lanson, and is considered one of the most interesting relics of antiquity in Cornwall; but the upper part, either from age or other causes, is not perfect.

* * * * *

LIST OF THE PRESENT REPRESENTATIVES IN PARLIAMENT, FOR THE SEVERAL
BOROUGHS OF THE COUNTY OF CORNWALL, WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE
RESIDENCES.

BODMIN D. Gilbert, Esq., F.R. & L.S., Eastbourne. J. W. Croker, Esq.,
L.L.D., F.R., and L.S., Secretary to the Admiralty, &c.

BOSSINEY Sir C. Domville, Bart., Santry House, Dublin. John Stuart
Wortley, Esq., Wortley Hall, Yorkshire.

CALLINGTON Matthias Attwood, Esq., Banker. William Thompson, Esq., an
Alderman of London.

CAMELFORD Mark Milbank, Esq., Thorpe Hall, Yorkshire. Sheldon Cradock,
Esq., Hartforth, York.

CORNWALL Sir William Lemon, Bart., D.C.L., Carclew, near Truro. John
Hearle Tremayne, Esq., Heligan, Cornwall.

FOWEY Viscount Valetort, John Street, Berkeley Square. George Lucy,
Esq., Pall Mall.

HELSTON Lord J. N. B. B. Townsend. Harrington Hudson, Esq., Bessenby,
near Bridlington, Yorkshire.

LAUNCESTON James Brogden, Esq., Clapham, Surrey. Hon. Pownall Bastard
Pellew, R.N.

LISKEARD Hon. W. Eliot, now Earl St. Germains. Sir William Henry
Pringle.

EAST LOOE Thomas Potter Macqueen, Esq., Ridgmont House, Bucks. George
Watson Taylor, Esq., D.C.L., Earlstoke Park, Wilts.

WEST LOOE Sir C. Hulse, Bart., Breamere, Hants. Right Hon. Henry
Goulburn, 17, Upper Grosvenor Street.

LOSTWITHIEL Sir Robert Wigram, Knt. F.R.S., Belmont Lodge,
Worcestershire. Alexander C. Grant, Esq.

NEWPORT Jonathan Raine, Esq. Wm. Northey, Esq., Box Hall, Wilts.

ST. GERMAIN’S Hon. Seymour Thomas Bathurst. Right Hon. Charles
Arbuthnot, K.C.

ST. IVES Lyndon Evelyn, Esq. Sir Christopher Hawkins, Bart., Trewithan,
near Truro.

ST. MAWES Sir S. B. Moreland, Bart., Pall Mall. Joseph Phillimore, Esq.,
D.C.L.

ST. MICHELL Sir George Staunton, Bart., L.L.D. and F.R.S., Leigh Park,
Hants. William Taylor Money, Esq., Streatham Park, Surrey.

PENRYN Pascoe Grenfell, Esq., Taplow House, Bucks. R. Stanton, Esq.,
Colebook House.

SALTASH William Russell, Esq., Brancepeth Castle, near Durham.

TREGONY Viscount Barnard, Selby, Northamptonshire. James O’Callaghan,
Esq.

TRURO Sir Richard Hussey Vivian. William Gossett, Esq., Sackville
Street.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE LOGAN STONE OVERTURNED.

The following Letter to the Editor of the Annals of Philosophy is taken from that work for May, 1824.

_Plymouth April 18, 1824._

“DEAR SIR,

Your geological readers will hear with infinite regret, that the
celebrated _Logan Stone_ in Cornwall, which has for so long a
period been regarded as an object of great national interest and
curiosity, and which has been visited by persons from the
remotest extremity of Europe, has within the last few days been
overturned by _one of the Lieutenants of his Majesty’s navy,
now_ commanding a revenue cutter, stationed between the Lizard
and Land’s End, assisted by a party of his men. The barbarous
and wanton folly which could induce an officer bearing his
Majesty’s commission to commit so unwarrantable an act, as to
remove a great national curiosity from a position in which it
had stood for ages, defying the hand of time, and affording to
the enlightened traveller an object of such singular interest,
will, it is hoped, be visited with the severest displeasure of
the Admiralty. In a tour through Cornwall in the summer of 1821,
I was informed by a cottager who lived near the spot, that an
attempt was made by a party of seamen some years before, to
remove it, but without success. Cornwall by this wanton outrage,
has lost one of its most interesting monuments.

I remain, dear Sir, yours very truly,

G. W. HARVEY.”

N. B. For a description of the Logan Stone, and an interesting view, vide p. 61.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Footnootes

-----

Footnote 1:

If some of our most eminent Historical Painters were also employed to
paint Altar Pieces, for the several new churches now erecting in
London; it would be more beneficial to the Public, than the
expenditure of so many thousands upon useless and meretricious
ornaments: indeed some of the new buildings only tend to lessen the
fame of the architects employed to erect them!

Footnote 2:

A Poem, descriptive of the beauty of the scenery on the banks of this
river, has recently been written by Mr. T. N. Carrington, and
published at Plymouth.

Footnote 3:

Beauties of England and Wales for Cornwall.

Footnote 4:

Worgan’s Agricultural Survey.

Footnote 5:

“The glorie of Fowey,” says Leland, “rose by the warres in King
Edwarde the Firste and Thirde, and Harrey the 5 day, partely by the
feates of warre, partly by pyracie, and so waxing rich fell all to
Merchandize; so that the Towne was haunted with shippes of divers
Nations, and their shippes went to all Nations, it also appears by the
roll of the huge fleet of Edward the Thirde before Calice, inserted in
Hakaby’s Voyages that Fowey contributed 47 ships and 770 mariners,
being a greater number than came from any other port in England,
except Yarmouth.”—Carew in his time, speaking of the prosperous state
of Fowey, says, “I may not pass in silence the commendable deserts of
Master Rashleigh the elder, descended from a younger brother of an
ancient house in Devon, for his industrious judgment and adventuring
the Trade of Marchandize first opened a light and way to the townsmen
now thriving, and left his sonne large Wealth and possessions, who
together with daily bettering his estate, converteth the same to
hospitality and other actions befitting a Gentleman well affected to
his God, Prince and Country.”

Footnote 6:

Among the most remarkable specimens in this collection, are green
carbonate of lead with quartz, blende in twenty sided crystals and
green fleur in crystals; crystalized antimony, with red blende on
quartz, yellow copper ore with opal, and arseniate of copper, in cubes
of a bright green colour.—A very valuable work was published a few
years ago, entitled, “Specimens of British Minerals,” from this
collection, embellished with a number of fine plates, from drawings by
Underwood and Bone.

Footnote 7:

_Leland_ describes Restormel Castle as “sore defaced” in his time,
“the fair large dungeon” says he, “yet stondith, a chapel cast out of
it, a newer work than it, and now unrofid.”—_Carew_ says “certes it
may move compassion, that a palace so healthful for aire, so
delightful for prospect, so necessary for commodities, so fayre for
building, and so strong for defence, should in time of secure peace,
and under the protection of his natural princes, be wronged with those
spoylings, then which it could endure no greater at the hands of any
forayne and deadly enemy, &c.”—_Norden_ also says, “The whole Castle
beginneth to mourne, and to wringe out hard stones for teares; that
she that was imbraced, visited, and delighted with great princes, is
now desolate, forsaken, and forlorne: the Cannon needs not batter, nor
the pioneer to undermine, nor powder to blow up this so famous a pyle;
for time and tirrannie hath wrought her desolation, her water pipes of
lead gone, the planching rotten, the walls fallen downe, the fayre and
large chimnye pieces, and all that would yield monie or serve for use,
are converted to Men’s private purposes, and there remayneth a false
show of honor, not contentinge anie compassionate eye to behold her
lingrynge decayes. Men greyve to see the dying delayes of anie brute
creature, so may we mourne to see so stately a pyle so long a
fallinge, if it be of no use, the carcase would make some profit,
therefore if it deserve, let her fall be no longer delayde, else will
it drop peece meele downe, and her now profitable reliques will then
serve to little or no use.”

Footnote 8:

The celebrated _Tin Mine_, called _Polgooth_, about two miles
south-west of this town, has ceased working for many years, owing to
some disputes among its proprietors. The profits arising from this
mine is said by _Borlase_ to have been £20,000, for many years.

Footnote 9:

The inhabitants boast of the Tower as the handsomest in the county;
but an impartial observer will not surely prefer it to that of Probus,
though some parts of the sculptural ornaments of the former, surpass
considerably the latter.

Footnote 10:

Lyson’s Mag. Brit. Page 75.

Footnote 11:

In consequence of certain corrupt practices, a Bill has recently
passed Parliament, disfranchising this borough, and allowing two
additional members to be returned for the County of York.

Footnote 12:

Beauties of England and Wales for Cornwall, page 249.

Footnote 13:

Truro being one of the privileged coinage towns, more tin is exported
here than at any other port in the county: great quantities of copper
are also exported from hence to Swansea and Neath in Wales. The blocks
of tin lie in heaps about the streets, and are left entirely
unguarded, as their great weight renders the difficulty to remove them
so great, that it is never attempted.

Footnote 14:

Vide Beauties of England and Wales for Cornwall.

Footnote 15:

Lysons’s Mag. Brit. page 121.

Footnote 16:

A very correct plan of this harbour is inserted in Gilbert’s History
of Cornwall.

Footnote 17:

“Heylstoun, alias Hellas” says _Leland_, “standeth on a hill, a good
Market towne, having a Mayor and privileges, wythin the which there is
a Court for the Coinage of Tynne, kept twys in the Year. Yn the towne
is both a Chapel and a paroch (Church) and vestegia castelli, and a
ryver runnyng under the same vestegia of the Castel issueth towards
The South Sea, stopped them yn the west part, with S. E. wyndes,
casting up sandes maketh a poole, called _Loo_, of an arrow shot in
breadth, and two myles yn compus yn the Somer. In the wynter, by
reason of fluddes, men be constrayned to cut the sandy banke, between
the Mouth of the Poole and the Sea, by the which gut the Sea floweth
and ebbeth ynto the Poole.—Loo Poole is two mile in length, and
betwixt it and the mayne Sea is but a barre of sand, and once in three
or four year what by the wait of the fresh watier and rage of the Sea,
it bubleth out, and then the fresh and Salt Water meeting maketh a
Wonderful Noise. If this barre be always kept open it would be a good
haven up to Hailston.”

Footnote 18:

See page 5.

Footnote 19:

Its matrix is an hard turpentine rock, in which it lies imbedded in
veins or lobes, almost ductile when first dug out, but gradually
indurating when exposed to the air, though always retaining its
unctious feel. A considerable quantity has been used in the
manufacture of china, but not for some time past.

Footnote 20:

In Lyson’s Mag. Brit. is a beautiful etching of Kynan’s Cove, by Miss
Letitia Byrne.

Footnote 21:

The winters of 1809 and 1817, were particularly fatal to our shipping;
and among others, the Anson Frigate was lost near Portleaven, when
most of her brave crew were swallowed up by the ocean.—The Primrose
Sloop of War, was lost near Gunwalloc Cove, and all on board perished,
except a poor Irish boy.—On the same night, was lost off the Cove of
Loverith, a transport, when only eight men escaped a watery grave!

Footnote 22:

One of which, an equestrian portrait of Charles I. on horseback, was
presented to the family by Charles II., in consideration of the great
attachment, sufferings, and heavy losses sustained in his support.

Footnote 23:

Beauties of England and Wales for Cornwall.

Footnote 24:

Majestic Michael rises, he whose brow
Is crown’d with Castles, and whose rocky sides
Are clad with dusky ivy; he whose base,
Bent by the storms of ages, stands unmov’d
Amidst the wreck of things—the change of time.
That base, encircl’d by the azure waves,
Was once with verdure clad; the towering oaks
Here waved their branches green; the sacred oaks,
Whose awful shades among the Druids stray’d,
To cut the hallow’d Mistletoe, and hold
High converse with their Gods.

Footnote 25:

See page 23.

Footnote 26:

_Carew_ states, that “during the Cornish Commotions, divers Gentlemen
with their Wives and Families fled to the protection of this place,
where the Rebels besieged them, fyrst wynning the playne at the hill’s
foote by assault, when the water was out, and then the even ground on
the top, by carrying up great trusses of Hay before them to blench the
defender’s sight, and dead their shot, after which they could make but
slender resistance, for no sooner should any one within peep his head
over those unflanked walls, but he became an open mark to an whole
shower of arrows. This disadvantage together with Woman’s dismay, and
decrease of Victuals forced a Surrender to these _Rakehells_ mercey,
who nothing guilty of that effeminate Vertue, spoyl’d their goods,
imprison’d their bodies, and were rather by God’s gracious providence,
than any want of will, purpose or attempt, restained from murdering
the principal persons.”—Lady Catherine Gordon, wife of the noted
Perkin Warbeck, the impostor and pretender to the crown, was taken
prisoner at St. Michael’s Mount, and when it surrendered in 1646, to
the Parliamentary Forces under Colonel Hammond, after great
resistance, a considerable quantity of ammunition and stores were
taken.

Footnote 27:

Penzance is thus noticed by Leland.—“Penzantes about a mile from
Mousehold, standing fast in the shore of Mount Bay, is the Westest
Market Town of all Cornwall, Socur for botes or Shypes, but a forced
pere or Key—Theyr is but a Chapel yn the sayd towne, as ys in Newlyn,
For theyr paroche Chyrches be more than a mile off.”—Penzance is
noticed in history as having been destroyed by fire in the year 1595,
by a party of Spaniards, who landed at Mousehole, but were soon
prevented from effecting further mischief, by the bravery of the
Cornishmen.

Footnote 28:

Crosses are very prevalent in Cornwall. Almost every village contains
one or more. They consist in general, of a shaft of granite, and a
torved head, with the figure of a cross in relief. The most remarkable
ones, are the cross in Mawgan church-yard, Lanhivitt, and Frier Hole
Cross, on the side of the road leading from Bodmin to Launceston.

Footnote 29:

WILLIAM BORLASE, a learned English antiquary, was born at Pendeen, in
the parish of St. Just, Cornwall, February 2, 1695–6. The family of
that name, from which he was descended, had been settled at that place
from whence they derived it (Borlase,) from the time of King William
Rufus. Our author was the second son of John Borlase, Esq. of Pendeen,
in the parish before mentioned, by Lydea, the youngest daughter of
Christopher Harris, Esq. of Hayne, in the county of Devon, and was
early put to school at Penzance, from which he was removed in 1709, to
that of the Rev. Mr. Bedford, then a learned schoolmaster at Plymouth.
Having completed his grammatical education, he was entered of Exeter
College, Oxford, in March, 1712–3, where, on the first of June, 1719,
he took the degree of Master of Arts. In the same year, Mr. Borlase
was admitted to deacons’ orders, and ordained priest in 1720. On the
22nd of April, 1722, he was instituted by Dr. Watson, Bishop of
Exeter, to the rectory of Ludgvan, in Cornwall, to which he had been
presented by Charles, Duke of Bolton. On the 28th of July, 1724, he
was married in the church of Illugan, by his elder brother, Dr.
Borlase of Castlehorneck, to Anne, eldest surviving daughter and
coheir of William Smith, M. A. rector of the parishes of Camborn and
Illugan. In 1732, the Lord Chancellor King, by the recommendation of
Sir William Morrice, Bart. presented Mr. Borlase to the vicarage of
St. Just, his native parish, and where his father had a considerable
property. This vicarage and the rectory of Ludgvan were the only
preferments he ever received.

When Mr. Borlase was fixed at Ludgvan, which was a retired, but a
delightful situation, he soon recommended himself as a pastor, a
gentleman, and a man of learning. The duties of his profession he
discharged with the most rigid punctuality and exemplary dignity. He
was esteemed and respected by the principal gentry of Cornwall, and
lived on the most friendly and social terms with those of his
neighbourhood. In the pursuit of general knowledge he was active and
vigorous: and his mind being of an inquisitive turn, he could not
survey with inattention or indifference the peculiar objects which his
situation pointed to his view. There were in the parish of Ludgvan
rich copper works, belonging to the late Earl of Godolphin. These
abounded with mineral and metallic fossils, which Mr. Borlase
collected from time to time; and his collection increasing by degrees,
he was encouraged to study at large the natural history of his native
county. While he was engaged in this design, he could not avoid being
struck with the numerous monuments of remote antiquity, that are to be
met with in several parts of Cornwall, and which had hitherto been
passed over with far less examination than they deserved. Enlarging,
therefore, his plan, he determined to gain as accurate an acquaintance
as possible with the Druid learning, and with the religion and customs
of the ancient Britons, before their conversion to Christianity. To
this undertaking he was encouraged by several gentlemen of his
neighbourhood, who were men of literature and lovers of British
antiquities; and particularly by Sir John St. Aubyn, ancestor of the
present baronet of that family, and the late Rev. Edward Collins,
vicar of St. Earth. In the year 1748, Mr. Borlase, happening to attend
the ordination of his eldest son at Exeter, commenced an acquaintance
with the Rev. Dr. Charles Lyttleton, late Bishop of Carlisle, then
come to be installed into the deanery, and the Rev. Dr. Milles, the
late dean, two eminent antiquaries in London. Our author’s
correspondence with these gentlemen was a great encouragement to the
prosecution of his studies; and he has acknowledged his obligations to
them, in several parts of his works. In 1750, being at London, he was
admitted a fellow of the Royal Society, into which he had been chosen
the year before, after having communicated an ingenious “Essay on the
Cornish Crystals.” Mr. Borlase, having completed in 1753 his
manuscript of the Antiquities of Cornwall, carried it to Oxford, where
he finished the whole impression, in folio, in the February following.
A second edition of it, in the same form, was published at London, in
1769. Our author’s next publication was, “Observations on the ancient
and present state of the Islands of Scilly, and their importance to
the trade of Great Britain, in a letter to the Rev. Charles Lyttleton,
L. L. D. Dean of Exeter, and F.R.S.” This work, which was printed
likewise at Oxford, and appeared in 1756, in quarto, was an extension
of a paper that had been read before the Royal Society, on the 8th of
February, 1753, entitled “An Account of the great Alterations, which
the Islands of Scilly have undergone since the time of the ancients,
who mention them, as to their number, extent, and position.” It was at
the request of Dr. Lyttleton, that this account was enlarged into a
distinct treatise. In 1757, Mr. Borlase again employed the Oxford
Press, in printing his “Natural History of Cornwall,” for which he had
been many years making collections, and which was published in April,
1758. After this, he sent a variety of fossils, and remains of
antiquity, which he had described in his works in the Ashmolean
Museum; and to the same repository he continued to send every thing
curious which fell into his hands. For these benefactions he received
the thanks of the University, in a letter from the Vice-chancellor,
dated Nov. 18, 1758; and in March, 1766, that learned body conferred
on him the degree of doctor of laws, by diploma, the highest
academical order.

Though Dr. Borlase, when he had completed his three principal works,
was become more than sixty years of age, he continued to exert his
usual diligence and vigour in quiet attention to his pastoral duty,
and the study of the scriptures. In the course of this study he drew
up paraphrases on the books of Job, and the books of Solomon, and
wrote some other pieces of a religious kind, rather, however, for his
private improvement, than with a view to publication. His amusements
abroad were to superintend the care of his Parish, and particularly
the forming and reforming of its roads, which were more numerous than
in any parish of Cornwall. His amusements at home were the belles
lettres, and especially painting; and the correction and enlargement
of his “Antiquities of Cornwall,” for a second edition, engaged some
part of his time; and when this business was completed, he applied his
attention to a minute revision of his “Natural History.” After this,
he prepared for the press a treatise he had composed some years
before, concerning the creation and deluge. But a violent illness, in
January, 1771, and the apprehension of entangling himself in so long
and close an attention as the correcting the sheets, solely, and at
such a distance from London, would require, induced him to drop his
design, and to recall the manuscript from his bookseller, when only a
few pages of it had been printed. From the time of his illness, he
began sensibly to decline; the infirmities of old age came fast upon
him; and it was visible to all his friends that his dissolution was
approaching. This expected event happened on the 31st of August, 1772,
in the 77th year of his age, when he was lamented as a kind father, an
affectionate brother, a sincere friend, an instructive pastor, and a
man of erudition. He was buried within the communion rails in Ludgvan
Church, by the side of Mrs. Borlase, who had been dead above three
years.

The Doctor had by his lady six sons, two of whom alone survived him,
the Rev. Mr. John Borlase, and the Rev. Mr. George Borlase, who was
Casuistical Professor and Registrar of the University of Cambridge,
and died in 1809. Besides Dr. Borlase’s literary connections with Dr.
Lyttleton and Dr. Milles, before-mentioned, he corresponded with most
of the literary men of his time. He had a particular intercourse of
this kind with Mr. Pope; and there is still existing a large
collection of letters, written by that celebrated poet to our author.
He furnished Mr. Pope with the greatest part of the materials for
forming his grotto at Twickenham, consisting of such curious fossils
as the county of Cornwall abounds with; and there might have been
seen, before the destruction of that curiosity, Dr. Borlase’s name in
capitals, composed of crystals, in the grotto. On this occasion a very
handsome letter was written to the Doctor by Mr. Pope, in which he
says, “I am much obliged to you for your valuable collection of
Cornish diamonds. I have placed them where they may best represent
yourself, in a shade, but shining,” alluding to the obscurity of Dr.
Borlase’s situation, and the brilliancy of his talents.—The papers
which he communicated at different times to the Royal Society are
numerous and curious.

Footnote 30:

Dr. Borlase’s MSS. quoted in Lysons’ Cornwall, p. 149.

Footnote 31:

Lyson’s Mag. Brit. p. 150.

Footnote 32:

Lyson’s Mag. Brit. 245.

Footnote 33:

Lyson’s Mag. Brit. p. 306.

Footnote 34:

Warner’s Tour.

Footnote 35:

Lyson’s Mag. Brit. for Cornwall, p. 296.

Footnote 36:

A very fine portrait of Sir B. Grenville, is to be found in Gilbert’s
Cornwall.

Footnote 37:

Sir Richard Grenville, a celebrated military and naval commander in
the reign of Queen Elizabeth. He first distinguished himself in the
wars under the Emperor Maximilian against the Turks, for which his
name is recorded by several foreign writers. In the year 1591, being
then Vice-Admiral of England, he was sent in the Revenge, with a
squadron of seven ships, to intercept the Spanish galleons; when
falling in with the enemy’s fleet, consisting of 52 sail, near the
Tercera islands, be repulsed them 15 times in a continued fight, till
his powder was all spent: his ship, which sunk before it could arrive
in port, was reduced to a hulk, and himself covered with wounds, of
which he died two days afterwards, on board the vessel of the Spanish
commander.

Footnote 38:

A collection of verses, by the University of Oxford, on the death of
Sir Beville Grenville, was printed in 1643, and reprinted in 1684. To
these are annexed King Charles’s Letters to Sir Beville Grenville, and
to the county of Cornwall; and a patent of Charles I. which grants to
the county of Cornwall a trade to Denmark, to the great Duke of
Muscovy, and to the Levant. Martin Llewellyn was a poet and physician,
and was sometime principal of St. Mary Hall, in Oxford: in the latter
part of his life he resided at High Wycomb; died there in 1682, and
lies buried in the north aisle of the chancel.

Footnote 39:

Newport, which was antiently under the jurisdiction of the town of
Launceston, is one of the notorious Boroughs of Cornwall, having
returned members to Parliament since the reign of Edward VI. The
number of voters, does not, in general, exceed 30 persons.

Footnote 40:

In the course of the proceedings on the election case in 1803, when
the rights of the Corporation were confirmed, it appeared from
records, that there was a Mayor in the reign of Richard II.

Footnote 41:

Beauties of Cornwall.

Footnote 42:

See Gorham’s History of St. Neot’s, pp. 29–37. London, 1820.

Footnote 43:

So determined in Gorham’s History of St. Neot’s, p. 231. Mr. Whitaker
(Life of Neot, pp. 191–203) thinks the date is intended for 1530; and
that the body of the Church was built in 1199,—a wild conjecture, in
defiance of architectural evidence!

Footnote 44:

See Gorham’s History of St. Neot’s, pp. 233–245.

Footnote 45:

Archives of Linc. Cath., in a vol. entitled, “Memoranda Oliveri
Sutton,” ff. 122 b., 123, a curious testimonial by Anselm, Abbot of
Bec., of his examination of the relics of St. Neot, in 1078.

Footnote 46:

Whitaker’s Life of Neot, pp. 203–211.

Footnote 47:

Bodmin has been described by many writers, as a very unhealthy place;
the contrary, however, is the fact: for during the last ten years, the
number of funerals have only been 409, and baptisms 854.—The town
suffered much in the years 1576 and 1581, from a pestilence. It is now
remarkable for the health and longevity of the inhabitants.

Footnote 48:

Owing unfortunately to the bursting of the boilers of some of the
engines at this mine, very lately, two men lost their lives; but most
fortunately many others had previously quitted their work, or
otherwise they would have experienced the same melancholy fate.

Footnote 49:

One of the vague terms sometimes given to the crust or coating of the
ore, sometimes to an argillaceous substance, and sometimes to a quartz
ore one. The miners have pretty generally determined, however, that
caple must be black; and at Polgooth they mean a heavy kind of quartz,
which is perfectly opake, and contains a large portion of argill.

Footnote 50:

Vide Beauties of England and Wales for Cornwall, page 438.

Footnote 51:

The author of the Guide to Mount’s Bay, recently published.

Footnote 52:

“As some men were lately sinking an air hole to the bottom level of
the Consolidated Mines, when at the depth of 160 fathoms from the
surface, they struck into a cavern; the rush of foul air from which,
compelled them to call out to their companion stationed above, to
raise them by the tackle kept in readiness for that purpose. This vast
subterranean vault is situated in one of the principal lodes of the
mine; it is about nine feet high, and six feet wide; the western end
from the place of entry, has been explored, and is found to be about
40 fathoms in length; the foul air in the eastern end, has hitherto
prevented the miners from fully exploring it; the appearance of the
sides and roof is very craggy, and shews that the cavity has been
occasioned by a convulsion of nature.”

Footnote 53:

Beauties of England and Wales for Cornwall, page 485.

Footnote 54:

Beauties of England and Wales for Cornwall, p. 487.

Footnote 55:

Vide Beauties for Cornwall, page 488.

Footnote 56:

The author of the Guide to Mounts Bay, &c. recently published.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Index.

----------

A

Adder, Sea, a fish, 14

Angel Fish, ibid

Antoney, Village of, Church, Monuments, House, and Pictures, 27 and 161

Arwenack House, remarkable as the antient seat of the Killegrews, 50

B

Bake, an antient seat of the Moyles, 29

Blower, or Fin Fish, 13

Blowing Houses, near St. Austell, 38

Boconnoc House, a fine seat, 35

Bodmin, Town of, antient Buildings, Church, Font, Population, &c., 119

Boscawen-un, singular Pile of Stones at, 61

Bossiney, remarkable as one of the Boroughs, 81

Boscastle, a Fishing Village, curious Epitaph in the Church, 85

Botus Fleming, Church, and Tomb of a Crusader, 100

Botallack Mine, at St. Just, account of, 138

Bude, a bathing place, its Canal, &c., 88