Chapter XV: Part 15

The monument to which I would now more particularly call attention is at Tolven Cross (Tolven is Cornish for Holed Stone), in the parish of St. Constantine, a few yards west of the road from Gweek to the Helston and Falmouth turnpike. Dr. Borlase refers to a holed stone about a mile west of St. Constantine Church. The subject of the present notice is twice that distance from the Church; it is therefore uncertain whether or not the Doctor alludes to the same monument. It is the largest 'holed stone' in Cornwall, being 8 feet 6 inches high by 8 feet 11 inches wide at the base, diminishing to a point at the summit; thus it is of a triangular form. Its average thickness is about one foot; but it is a little thicker at the bottom than at the top. The hole, almost perfectly circular, is 17 inches in diameter. Though within the slate district, the stone is of granite.

Formerly it was a conspicuous object by the way-side; but within the last 12 or 14 years a house has been built betwixt it and the road. It now forms part of a garden hedge.

In a field adjoining the opposite side of the road, perhaps 18 yards from the stone, is a low irregular barrow, about 20 yards in diameter, and studded with small mounds.

Dr. Borlase has alluded to the superstitious practice of drawing children through the Holed Stone at Madron, to cure them of weakness or pains in the back--a practice still observed at the Holed Stone at St. Constantine. I was told that some remarkable cures had been effected there only a few weeks since. The ceremony consists of passing the child nine times through the hole, alternately from one side to the other; and it is essential to success that the operation should finish on that side where there is a little grassy mound, recently made, on which the patient must sleep, with a six-pence under his head. A trough-like stone, called the 'cradle,' on the eastern side of the barrow, was formerly used for this purpose. This stone, unfortunately, has long been destroyed. That holed stones were not originally constructed for the observance of this peculiar custom is evident, for in some instances the holes are not more than five or six inches in diameter.

A few years ago, a person digging close to the Tolven, discovered a pit in which were fragments of pottery, arranged in circular order, the whole being covered by a flat slab of stone. Imagining that he had disturbed some mysterious place, with commendable reverence he immediately filled up the pit again. Taking the proximity of the barrow in connection with the pit, it seems most probable that the Tolven is a sepulchral monument, stones of this kind being erected perhaps to a peculiar class of personages.

It is well known that the Circle is an ancient symbol of eternity, and it was sometimes adopted as typical of Deity itself. The triangular form of the stone may not be accidental. The holed stones at Madron also form part of a triangular arrangement. Whether a significant connection was intended in this union of the circle and the triangle is perhaps worthy of consideration. Though holed stones are sometimes found near what are termed Druidic Circles, I perceive no traces of monuments of that description near the Tolven. The holed stones at Kenidjac, St. Just, are near ancient circles; and the two holed stones at Bolleit are not more than 100 yards from the well-known stone circle, called 'Dawns Myin.'"

THE GARRACK ZANS (HOLY ROCK.)

Within the memory of many persons now living, there was to be seen, in the town-places of many western villages, an unhewn table-like stone called the Garrack Zans. This stone was the usual meeting place of the villagers, and regarded by them as public property. Old residents in Escols have often told me of one which stood near the middle of that hamlet on an open space where a maypole was also erected. This Garrack Zans they described as nearly round, about three feet high, and nine in diameter, with a level top. A bonfire was made on it and danced around at Midsummer. When petty offences were committed by unknown persons, those who wished to prove their innocence, and to discover the guilty, were accustomed to light a furse-fire on the Garrack Zans; each person who assisted took a stick of fire from the pile, and those who could extinguish the fire in their sticks, by spitting on them, were deemed innocent; if the injured handed a fire-stick to any persons, who failed to do so, they were declared guilty.

Most evenings young persons, linked hand in hand, danced around the Garrack Zans, and many old folks passed round it nine times daily from some notion that it was lucky and good against witchcraft.

The stone now known as Table-mên was called the Garrack Zans by old people of Sennen.

If our traditions may be relied on, there was also in Treen a large one, around which a market was held in days of yore, as mentioned at page 77.

There was a Garrack Zans in Sowah only a few years since, and one may still be seen in Roskestal, St. Levan.

Nothing seems to be known respecting their original use; yet the significant name, and a belief--held by old folks at least--that it is unlucky to remove them, denote that they were regarded as sacred objects.

Venerated stones, known by the same name, were long preserved in other villages until removed by strange owners and occupiers, who are, for the most part, regardless of our ancient monuments.

DIVINATION BY RUSHES AND IVY-LEAVES. Page 217.

Many persons, who were anxious to know their future fate with regard to love and marriage, or for mere fun, were in the habit of assembling, on twelfth night, in a farm house kitchen, which had a large open fire-place--used for burning furse and turf. A fire was laid that would make plenty of "umers" (embers) and hot ashes, such being required for working the spells; then each person touched the "cravel" (mantle stone) with his or her forehead, and departed in single file and silence, which was required to be observed, until, having gathered the rushes and ivy-leaves, they returned and again touched the "cravel" with their heads. The procession was often waylaid or followed by some who tried to make the spell-workers break silence; if any of them spoke they had to return and again touch the "cravel."

Those who wished to know their own luck in love and marriage, or that of different couples who were said to be sweethearts, placed in the hot ashes and "umers" two pieces of rush--named or intended for the respective parties;--if both rushes burnt kindly together, those they represented would be married. As the pairs were consumed, united or parted, such would be the course of their love. The one which burnt longest would outlive the other. When it was decided who were to be married together an ivy-leaf was cast into the fire, and the number of cracks it made in burning told the years to pass before the couple would be wed. Then two leaves for the wedded pair were buried in the hot ashes, and the cracks they made showed how many children the happy couple would be blessed with. Other presages, which afforded much amusement, were drawn from the appearance and behaviour of rushes and ivy-leaves--or lovers and married folks--in their fiery bed.

Meanwhile old people--who in general were the most anxious to know if they or others were destined to live or die during the ensuing year--drew an ivy-leaf for each person, either named or thought of, through a gold ring, and cast the leaves into a vessel of spring water, which was placed on the hearth-stone and left there over night. Next morning, the leaves that were found to have turned black, or to be specked with red spots like blood, showed that those for whom they were intended would be dead ere next twelfth night. The blood spots betokened a violent end.

RECENT ILL-WISHING. Page 65.

The following case of an ill-wished woman, living in ----, was told me a few days since by one of her neighbours.

In the Autumn of 1870 a pilot, or one of a pilot's crew, that my informant called a "hobbler," gained upwards of twenty pounds for his share of the "hobble," or pilotage of a ship, which was only one night's work.

Next morning, whilst the "hobbler" was in bed, his wife, elated with her husband's good luck, stood outside her door when the neighbouring women were passing by to the spring for water, and she was saying to a number of them, who gathered around her, how lucky it was that her husband had met with such a good hobble, just in time for her to pay off old scores at the shops, and to enable her to get a little comfortable winter's clothing for her husband and children before cold weather came. In her joy at the godsend, she continued a long time detailing her plans for disposing of it to the best advantage, and was about to go in as the women took up their pitchers, when another hobbler's wife, who had been listening for some time, turned round, in taking up her vessel of water, and said, "Thee art ready to burst with pride because good luck es come to thy door, but I wish to God that thee may'st never be the better for it."

Saying this she departed. The pilot's wife--a moment before full of gladness--was now "struck all of a heap." Cold shivers passed through her; as she fell on the form she said that no good would now come to her from the begrudged money, and that the ill-wish had taken effect.

From that day to this she has never been like the same woman; she has lost all heart to struggle for her family; when her husband is at sea she fears he will no more return, and believes something evil is constantly hanging over her head. Yet she can't be said to have any known bodily ailment; the doctor told her he didn't know what to give her, nor what could be amiss with her, unless she was bewitched, so my informant said. She had also sought aid of the pellar, or white wizzard, who visits the district at stated times, and even he had to give her up.

In answer to my inquiry if the woman that ill-wished the hobbler's wife was a witch, she replied, "No, not that the neighbours knew of, and they supposed she didn't altogether mean to do the harm she did, but it so happened that the bad words passed her lips at the fatal minute when ill-wishes won't fall to the ground; some call her a witch now, but they don't think her one--she's too big a fool."

After a pause, as if to settle the matter, she added, "No, on the whole, I don't think she's anything better or worse than the general run of women; I have known her all my life time; she was a 'professor' for years; we used to meet in the same class till she got married, when she left off, because she couldn't afford then, with a family coming quick, to pay class-money every week, ticket-money and preacher's-money every quarter, and give to all the collections, as et es expected of members, however poor they may be, it was busy all to make both ends meet. No more could she then spare time to go to preaching, or other means of grace, every night in the week, like she did in her courting days; besides she was a very wicked talking woman, and said worse than she meant. She would rap out an oath like nothing--it eased her mind she said--if anybody 'thurted' (crossed) her. Like other backsliders she was worse than anyone that had always been 'carnal-minded.' Class-leaders, and others of 'the people,' tried all they could do, by talking to her, to get her in the right way again; when her husband was in good getting they even prayed for her in the meetings, and it made her worse than ever to be told that. She said, in her sinful way, they had better leave her alone, for she knew they were no better than a set of 'duffans,' and backbiting and undermining hypocrites; that all they wanted of her was money, money all the time, and if one hadn't plenty of that for them, they wouldn't so much as dip the tip of their finger in water to save a poor soul from perishing. Pinching hard times made her spiteful, for there's nothing so bad as poverty to make one feel ugly. As for the poor ill-wished woman, she never had half enough of the Old One in her to help her stand up in her own defence."

We give another out of many recent instances of ill-wishing. The other day a small farmer, living in the higher side of Madron parish, came in to a surgeon, in this town, and told him that his wife was very bad in bed, and that neither he nor any of the neighbours could make out what was amiss with her unless she was ill-wished by a woman, who lived on the downs near his dwelling, or else 'overlooked' by her evil eyes.

His wife objected to borrow or lend with her--above all to lend. "And good reason why," said the man, "for she never paid what she borrowed. A month or so ago she wanted six-pence of my woman to clear scores with a 'Johnny-fortnight,' (packman), my wife refused her; on leaving our door she scraped her feet on the 'drussel,' then turned round, shaked her finger at my wife, and said, 'See if I don't make thee wish, the longest day thee hast got to live, that thee had'st never denied me anything.'"

"My poor dear had to take to her bed next day, and she han't been much out of it since. Do come and see her as quick as you can."

In answer to the surgeon's questions, the farmer told him she wasn't what one could call heart sick; but there was no "sprowl" (energy) in her; and her bowels were never in a right state. The surgeon gave him medicine for his wife, and promised to see her shortly. A few days after, having to visit a patient who lived near the ailing farmer's wife, he called to see her also. The husband, who was in "great stroath, and all of a stroll," molly-caudling about the household work, told the doctor that his wife was still in bed, no better for the medicine that he could see, and showed him up stairs to her room, where he found a big fat woman, sleeping soundly; when awoke, she described her ailment just as her husband had stated, dwelling much on her bad appetite, the weakness she felt all over, and her having no heart to do anything. The doctor noticed, all about the chamber, a number of bottles and tea-cups, with the remains of all sorts of cordials and caudles in them, which showed that she had been nursed to the surfeiting point. Having felt her pulse, examined her tongue, and gone through all the ceremonies usual on such occasions, he shook his head and left the room, followed by the husband, who, with a long face, begged that he might be told the worst. "Now don't 'e be afraid to tell me," said he, "for if there is no hopes I can bear to hear it; thank goodness I have done all in my power for her, poor dear, and have nothing on my mind to answer for." "Her best chance of being cured depends upon you, I think," said the doctor, with a serious face, "if you can make up your mind to undertake a difficult job." "Oh, do tell me what I shall do," replied the man, "and I will go through fire and water for her, the dear." "That's all very easy to say," rejoined the doctor, "but it will require all your strength and courage. If you have a wheelbarrow about the place, bring it in, put your wife into it, and trundle her out into the middle of the largest field or croft hereabouts, there leave her, and if she won't come in let her stay there until she's tired; there's no more amiss with your wife than there is with me, except laziness and a diseased fancy, that you have made worse by indulging her whims; you should have been out in the fields about your work, and have left her to do without her caudles till she rose and cooked them."

We don't know how the farmer proceeded to execute the doctor's advice, but next market day he called in, thanked him for his hint, said his wife was then doing her work, and as well as ever she was in her life. "But you had better not venture to see her again soon," said he, "for I believe she would as lieve meet the Old One as you for a bit."

Almost every day one may hear of similar cases which show the power of superstitious fears over weak minds.

MIDSUMMER BONFIRES.

Our bonfires, torches, and tar-barrels, with the peculiar hand-in-hand dance around the blazing piles, remind us of ancient times when similar customs were regarded as sacred rites by our forefathers; and it would seem as if some vestiges of these time-honoured religious notions were still connected with Midsummer bonfires in the minds of old-fashioned people, living in remote and primitive districts, where they still believe that dancing in a ring over the embers, around a bonfire, or leaping (singly) through its flames, is calculated to insure good luck to the performers and to serve as a protection from witchcraft and other malign influences during the ensuing year.

Many years ago, on Midsummer's eve, when it became dusk, very old people in the West Country would hobble away to some high ground, whence they obtained a view of the most prominent hills, such as Bartinney, Chapel Carn-brea, Sancras Bickan, Castle-an-Dinas, Carn Galver, St. Agnes Bickan, and many other beacon hills far away to north and east, which vied with each other in their Midsummer's blaze. They counted the fires and drew a presage from the number of them. There are now but few bonfires to be seen on the western heights; yet we have observed that Tregonan, Godolphin, and Carn Marth hills, with others away towards Redruth, still retain their Baal fires. We would gladly go many miles to see the weird-looking, yet picturesque, dancers around the flames on a carn, or high hill top, as we have seen them some forty years ago.

We are sorry to find that another pleasing Midsummer's observance, which also appears to be ancient, has almost died out. Yet within the memory of many, who would not like to be called old or even aged, on a Midsummer's eve, long before sunset, groups of girls--both gentle and simple--of from ten to twenty years of age, neatly dressed and decked with garlands, wreaths, or chaplets of flowers, would be seen dancing in the streets.

One favourite mode of adornment was to sew, or pin, on the skirt of a white dress, rows of laurel-leaves, often spangled with gold leaf. Before Midsummer small wooden hoops were in great demand to be wreathed with green boughs and flowers for garlands, to be worn over one shoulder and under the opposite arm. Towards sunset groups of graceful damsels, joined by their brothers, friends, or lovers, would be seen "threading-the-needle," playing at "kiss-in-the-ring," or simply dancing along every here and there from Chyandour to Alverton, from the Quay to Caunsehead, as the upper part of the town used then to be called, perhaps with more propriety than Causewayhead.

THE MERMAID OF ZENNOR.

Zennor folks tell the following story, which, according to them, accounts for a singular carving on a bench-end in their Church.

Hundreds of years ago a very beautiful and richly attired lady attended service in Zennor Church occasionally--now and then she went to Morvah also;--her visits were by no means regular,--often long intervals would elapse between them.

Yet whenever she came the people were enchanted with her good looks and sweet singing. Although Zennor folks were remarkable for their fine psalmody, she excelled them all; and they wondered how, after the scores of years that they had seen her, she continued to look so young and fair. No one knew whence she came nor whither she went; yet many watched her as far as they could see from Tregarthen Hill.

She took some notice of a fine young man, called Mathey Trewella, who was the best singer in the parish. He once followed her, but he never returned; after that she was never more seen in Zennor Church, and it might not have been known to this day who or what she was but for the merest accident.

One Sunday morning a vessel cast anchor about a mile from Pendower Cove; soon after a mermaid came close alongside and hailed the ship. Rising out of the water as far as her waist, with her yellow hair floating around her, she told the captain that she was returning from church, and requested him to trip his anchor just for a minute, as the fluke of it rested on the door of her dwelling, and she was anxious to get in to her children.

Others say that while she was out on the ocean a-fishing of a Sunday morning, the anchor was dropped on the trap-door which gave access to her submarine abode. Finding, on her return, how she was hindered from opening her door, she begged the captain to have the anchor raised that she might enter her dwelling to dress her children and be ready in time for church.

However it may be, her polite request had a magical effect upon the sailors, for they immediately "worked with a will," hove anchor and set sail, not wishing to remain a moment longer than they could help near her habitation. Sea-faring men, who understood most about mermaids, regarded their appearance as a token that bad luck was near at hand. It was believed they could take such shapes as suited their purpose, and that they had often allured men to live with them.

When Zennor folks learnt that a mermaid dwelt near Pendower, and what she had told the captain, they concluded it was this sea-lady who had visited their church, and enticed Trewella to her abode. To commemorate these somewhat unusual events they had the figure she bore--when in her ocean-home--carved in holy-oak, which may still be seen.

GLOSSARY OF LOCAL WORDS.

A or AH, he or it; _e.g._ a es, it is.

AFTER-WINDING, waste corn.

AN', aunt, an expression of regard applied to aged women.

ARREAH! (Maria?) an exclamation of angry surprise.

ARISH, stubble.

BAL, a mine.

BANNAL, broom plant.

BOWJEY, sheepfold, &c., on cliff or downs.

BRAVE, much, very well, &c.

BRUYANS, crumbs.

BUCCA, a spirit.

BUCCA-BOO (-DHU), a black spirit.

BULHORN, a large shell-snail.

BUSSA, an earthen crock.

BUSY (to be), to require; _e.g._ it is BUSY all, it requires all.

CAUNSE, pavement.

CAYER, a coarse sieve for winnowing.

CHEE-AH! word used for calling swine.

CHEELD-VEAN (little child), a term of endearment.

CHILL, an iron lamp.

CLIFF, all the ground between the shore and cultivated land. The
cliff proper, or precipice, is called the edge of the cliff; the
cleeves, or the carns.

CLUNK, to swallow.

COSTAN, a basket made of straw and brambles.

COURANT, romping play.

COURSEY, to linger gossiping.

COWAL, a large fish-basket.

CRAVEL, mantel-stone.

CRELLAS, the ruins of ancient bee-hive huts; an excavation in a
bank, roofed over to serve for an out-house, &c.

CROGGAN, a limpet shell.

CRONACK, a toad.

CROUD, the rind of a sieve covered with sheepskin, used for taking
up corn, &c.; also an old fiddle.

CRUM, crooked.

CROUST, afternoons' refreshment of bread and beer in harvest time.

CROW, a small out-house.

DIDJAN, a little bit.

DIJEY, a very small homestead.

DOWER, water.

DRUCKSHAR, a small solid wheel.

DUFFAN, a nickname for one much given to self laudation; usually
bestowed on a bouncing religionist who is powerful in speech, and
strong in faith, but no better than ordinary mortals in works.

DUFFY, a forthright, blunt happy-go-lucky person.

DUMBLEDORE, large black-beetle.

'E, ye or you.

FAIX! faith.

FLUSHET, a flood-gate.

FUGGAN, a small unleavened cake.

FUGGO, an artificial cave.

GADGE-VRAWS, the ox-eye daisy.

GARD, soil used for scouring.

GARRACK, a rock.

GLOWS, dried cow-dung used for fuel.

GRAMBLER, a stony place.

GRIGLANS, heath.

GRUIT, fine soil.

GUARE, play, called out by boys when they throw quoits cast a ball,
&c.

GUISE-DANCE, Christmas mummery.

GULTHISE (in Scilly niclethies), harvest-home feast.

GURGOES, the ruins of ancient fences found on waste land.

GWEEAN, a periwinkle.

HILLA, the night-mare.

HOGGAN, a "fuggan" with meat baked on it; the fruit of hawthorns.

KEGGAS, rank wild plants, such as water-hemlock, elecampane, &c.

KIBBAL, a bucket used at a draw-well or mine shaft.

KISKEYS, the dried-up stalks of "keggas."

KNACKERS (knockers), spirits in the mines.

KEUNEY, moss, lichen, &c.

LAISTER, the yellow water-iris.

LEW, sheltered from wind.

LEWTH, shelter.

MABYER, a young hen.

MIRYON, an ant.

MOAR, the root; to produce roots.

MOOR-WORK, tin-streaming.

MORABS, land near the sea.

NACKAN, a kerchief.

OAR-WEED, sea-weed.

ORGAN, pennyroyal.

PADZEPAW, a newt.

PAR, cove; the word porth is never used by the natives of West
Cornwall, nor does it ever occur in family names.

PEETH, a draw-well.

PIGGAL, a kind of large hoe used for cutting turf, &c.

PILF, woolly dust.

PILJACK, a poor scurvy fellow.

PISKEY, a mischievous fairy that delights to lead people astray;
also a greenish bug, found on blackberries.

PITCH-TO, to set to work with good heart.

PLUM, soft, light.

PORVAN, a rush lamp wick.

PRUIT! a word used for calling cows.

PUL, mire, mud.

PULAN, a small pool, such as is left by ebb tide.

PUL-CRONACK, a small toad-like fish, found in "pulans."

QUALK, a heavy fall.

QUILKAN, a frog.

QUILLET, a small field.

REEN, a steep hill side.

ROSE, low lying level ground, moorland, &c.

RULLS, rolls of carded wool.

SEW (gone to), dried up.

SKAW, the elder tree.

SKAW-DOWER, fig wort.

SKEDGEWITH, privet.

SMALL-PEOPLE, fairies.

SOAS, sose, forsooth.

SPANISH DUMBLEDORE, the cock-chaffer.

SPRIGGAN, sprite, fairy.

SPROWL, life, energy.

STROATH, more haste than good speed.

STROLL, an untidy mess.

TALFAT, a boarded floor, for a bed-place, over one end of a
cottage.

THRESHAL, a flail.

TOWSAR, a large apron or wrapper.

TUBBAN, a clod of earth.

TUBBLE, a mattock.

TUMMALS, quantity.

TUNGTAVUS, a tattling fool.

TUNTRY, the pole by which oxen draw a wain, cart, &c.

TURN, a spinning wheel.

UNCLE, a term of regard given to an old man.

VEAN, little.

VINED, mouldy.

VISGEY, a pick-axe.

VISNAN, the sand launce.

VOW, a cavern or "fuggo."

VUG, a cavity in a lode or rock.

WIDDEN, small.

WIDDENS, small fields.

WISHT, sad, like a person or thing ill-wisht.

ZAWN (pro SOWN), a cavern in a cliff.

A short time ago, two gentlemen of Penzance walked over to Chysauster, the higher side of Gulval, on a Sunday morning, to inspect the hut-circles, caves, and other remains of what are supposed to have been ancient British habitations. After a fruitless search, the gentlemen returned towards Chysauster to see if they could meet with anyone to inform them where the objects they were in quest of might be found. In the lane they overtook a woman and asked her if she knew of any caves thereabout? "Caaves! no, I don't--not fit for butchers," she replied, "but if you want any for rearan I think I can tell 'e where there es some to be found; now I look at 'e agen you don't seem much like butchers nether, nor you arn't none of our farmers about here ether! Where are 'e coman from at all? Looking for caaves of a Sunday mornan! You are very much in want of them I s'pose." The gentlemen explained that they neither wanted calves for rearing nor killing, but to find the ancient ruins. "Oh Lord," said she, "you're lookan for the old crellas, and things up in the hill! Why dedn't 'e say so than, that one might know what you meant, instead of givan such outlandish names to things. But come 'e along with me, and I'll show 'e," continued she in turning back and leading the way.

INDEX.

PAGE

Ancient Bridal Customs 237

------ Coins found at Castle Maen 127

------ Mariners' Stories 149

A night's ride to Scilly 233

Ballowal, the knockers of (fairy tale) 185

Baranhuel, a Queen's visit to 67

-------- fairies' cow 73

-------- shell room 72, 274

Beatrice I'an, or Ivan 104

-------- her death 118

Betty Stoggs's baby (fairy tale) 205

Bevan, the Rev. James 197

Bewitching a dairy 65

Bob 'o the Carn (fairy tale) 173

Boleit, ancient monuments of 29

Books popular in the West Country a century ago 197

Boscawen-un circle 34

Boskenna 36

Boslow, the Piskey of 158

Brea, or Bray 42, 200, 278

Brea-Vean, the Changeling of (fairy tale) 200

Breage, St., visits her brother, St. Levan 145

Bridal customs, ancient, still in vogue 237

Buccaneering 45

Bucka, offerings to 187, 246

Buryan fair 39

------ Sanctuary, men of 269

------ wise-woman or fortune-teller of 47

Calling of the cleeves 216

Cardews of Boskenna, the last of 38

Castle Treen, traditions of 130, 138

------ Maen, or Men 127

Changeling of Brea-Vean 200

------ how to get rid of one 202

Chapel Uny Well 199

Charms 243

Chyannor, Tom of, the tin-streamer 72

Chynance 116

Clarice de Boleit, inscription on her tomb 29

Conjurors, pellars, or wise-men 20, 76 276

Crick-stone, the, or Men-an-tol 242

Cursing Psalm, the 229, 231

Danes, traditions of their incursions 127, 141, 274

Daunce-Mayn 33

Death-ship, the 248

Demon, a, spinning 5

Den-an-Dynas, the giant and his wife 137

Devil's money 227

Divination 131, 217, 245, 283

Doctresses of the West Country 49

Duffy and a Devil, an old guise-dance 1

Enchanter, the, of Pengersec 263

-------- of Maen and a thief 265, 267

Escols, a strong man of 31

------ weavers of 196

Faction fight in Buryan Church-town 215

Fairy dwelling on Selena Moor 94

---- fair 161

---- master, the 173

---- tales 73, 94, 102, 154, 168, 173, 185, 200

Fairies, how they may be driven away 75

------ old folks' notions respecting 101, 245

Flowers, planting on graves, an old West Country
custom 114

Fortune-tellers 49, 276

Garrack-zans 77, 150

Ghost stories 122, 152, 217, 230

------ laying 124

Ghostly ship's-bell, a 277

Giants of Castle Treen 131, 137

Goblins of the Mines 187

Guise-dances, how performed 2

Gulthise (harvest feast) 95

Gwinear, the slighted damsel of 229

Haunted houses 122, 212

Hella-point, mermaids of 151

Hell-hounds 66

Heimskringla, the, of Snorri Surlusson, account
in of Northmen marauding Cornwall, &c. 274

Hilla-ridden 236

Holed stones 31, 242, 280

Hooper of Cowloe, the 247

Hostess, the, of Market-jew 82

Hurling 24

Husbandry, old 195

I'ans, their house in Treen 103

---- ghosts of 122

---- a Breton descendant of 125

Ill-wishing 63, 65, 285, 286

Ivy-leaves and rushes, divination by 217, 283

Johanna, the foolish, her garden 146

---- rebukes St. Levan for fishing on a Sunday 148

Just, St., feast of 154, 170

Kaerkeis bowjey 127

Key, the, of Castle Treen 130

Knackers of Ballowal (fairy tale) 185

Levan, St., legends of 145

-------- stone 147

-------- his path 146, 272

-------- witches 139

Long stones, or Menheeres of Boleit 30

-------- places named from numerous 31

Lovell, Madam, her troubles 21

------ or Levelis, family of 271

Loyal hearts of Buryan 69

Madron well and chapel 239

Marriage usages, ancient 237, 239

Mayor of Market-jew, a 83

Merchants of Treen, the 81

Merlin's prophesies 130, 147

Mermaid of Zennor, the 288

Midsummer bonfires 287

Miners' stories 187, 191

Miracle-plays, performed at Sancreed 269

Morvah man, a, shopping 207

Nelly Wearne, the story of 38

Nicknames 198

Night's ride, a, to Scilly 233

Noy, Mr. William, in a fairy dwelling 97

Noy, Madam, and the witch 63

---- family of 274

Olaf, the first Christian king of Norway, his
conversion at Scilly 275

Parchapel well 148

Parcurnow, traditions of 140

Pargwartha, legend of 149

Parish clerks sixty years ago 169

Pellars, or wise-men 76, 191

Penance, doing in Buryan Church 55

Penberth, a cottage dwelling at 111

Pendar, Madam, receiving a Queen 68

------ family of 72, 95, 119, 223

Pendeen of old 166, 279

Pengersec, legends of 251

-------- the magician 264

Penrose, the smugglers of 212

------ family 223

Phantom lover, a, takes off his affianced 152

Piskey, how he left Boslow 168

------ led 160

------ threshing 159

Plan-an-guarre, St. Just 268

Polkinghorne, Parson, an exorcist 125

Queen's, a, visit to Baranhuel 67

Robbers, the, and merchants of Treen 87

Roskestal, Garrack-zans in 148, 151

Rosmoddrass, monuments of 27

Sanctuary men of Buryan 260

"Sancras," miracle-play at 269

Scilly, a night's ride to 233

---- visited by King Olaf 275

Selena Moor, a fairy dwelling on 94

Shovel, Admiral Sir Cloudesly, his wreck at
Scilly 231

-------- his grave 233

Slighted damsel, the, of Gwinear 229

Small-people, see fairies.

Smugglers 57, 106

-------- the, of Penrose 212

Spinning 5, 25, 105

Sweethearts' Cove, the 149

Sun, the, never shines on a person that has
sworn way a life 249

Tarraway, the spinning demon 16

Tinners' stories 185

Tolmen of Constantine, the 280

Tom Trenoweth's bewitched sow 61

---- of Chyannor, the tin-streamer 77

-------- gets three pieces of wisdom in lieu of
wages 80

-------- his welcome home 89

Tredrill, the changeling 201

Treen, a market town, in old times 78

------ the I'an's house of 103

------ Dynas 127

Tregagle bound to Gwenvor 224

-------- the roaring of 226

Uncle Will Ben's fiddle and sayings 170

Vellan Dreath, the burning of 279

Vow, the, of Pendeen 28, 167

---- spirit of the 167

Weddings, old fashioned customs at 237, 239

Wells, holy 128, 148, 239, 201

Wetherel, Capt., his grave and ghostly
ship's-bell 277

White hare, an injured woman's spirit takes the
form of a 253

Wise-woman, the, of Buryan Church-town 47

Witches 12, 59, 63, 65, 75, 139, 255, 265

Zennor man's will, a 210

------ mermaid of 288

SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES.

Akerman, H. J., _Hanover Square, London_.

Astley, Rev. R., _Perran_.

Bannister, Rev. John., LL.D., _St. Day_, 2 copies.

Barham, C., M.D., _Truro_.

Barnicoat, Christopher, _St. Levan_.

Bate, C. Spence, F.R.S., _Plymouth_.

Batten, J. Hallet, F.R.G.S., _Havitree, Exeter_.

Batten, John, _Penzance_.

Blackwell, H., _ditto_.

Bence, Rev. J. B., _Cribbs Lodge, near Bristol_.

Berry, Rev. Aubrey, _West Cowes, Isle of Wight_.

Blewett, J. P., _Penzance_, 2 copies.

Blight, John, F.S.A., _ditto_.

Blight Joseph, _London_.

Blight, Miss, _ditto_.

Boase, Francis, M.R.C.S.E., _Penzance_.

Boase, J. J. A., _Alverton_.

Boase, Rev. Charles William, _Exeter College, Oxford_.

Boase, George Clement, _London_.

Bolitho, William, _Polwithan_, 3 copies.

Bolitho, William, _Ponsandane_.

Bodilly, James Broad, M.R.C.S.E., _Harrold, Beds._

Bodilly, Ralph H., _Penzance_.

Borlase, John, _Castle Horneck_.

Borlase, W. Copeland, F.S.A., _ditto_.

Boyns, Edwin, _Penzance_.

Boyns, Nicholas, _Bosanketh, Buryan_.

Boyns, Nicholas, _Hendra, St. Just_.

Brokenshire, Mrs., _Withington, near Manchester_.

Brune, Charles G. Prideaux, _Prideaux Place, Padstow_, 2 copies.

Bull, E., _Telegraph Station, Porthcurnow_.

Buonaparte, His Imperial Highness Prince Louis Lucien.

Carpenter, Mrs., _Falmouth_.

Cardew, Cornelius, _Exeter_.

Champion, James, C. and M. E., _Nevada-county, California_.

Child, Josiah, _London_.

Chirgwin, R. W. and Co., _St. Just_.

Code, Theophilus, _Marazion_.

Cock, William, _Penzance_.

Colenso, Richard, _ditto_.

"Cornish Telegraph" proprietors, 4 copies.

Cornish, Thomas, _Penzance_, 2 copies.

Cornish, H. R., _Trewey, Zennor_.

Cornish, William, _Penzance_.

Cornish, Cyrus Henry, _London_.

Cornish, Thomas R., _Buenos Ayres_.

Cornish, John Hewett, _Penzance_.

Cornish, James Mitchell, _ditto_.

Cornish, Miss, _ditto_.

Coulson, William, late, _Madron_.

Coulson, James Bevan, _Penzance_.

Coulson, W. H., H.M.C., _Liverpool_.

Courtney, Leonard H., _London_, 2 copies.

Courtenay, James, _Trevening House, Bristol_.

Crocker, Rev. James, _Felsted, Essex_.

Crocker, F. H., _Penzance_.

Curgeven, J. Brendon, M.R.C.S.E., _London_.

Curnow, John, M.D., M.R.C.P., _London_.

Curnow, Stephen, _St. Hillary_.

Davies-Brown, Mrs., _St. John's-wood, London_.

Davies, Rev. J. D., _Llanmadoc Rectory, near Swansea_.

Davy, Edmund, _Madron_.

Delapierre, Octave, Belgian Consul-General, _London_.

Douglass, James N., C.E., _Trinity House, London_.

Douglass, William, C.E., _Ceylon_.

Dusting, Mrs. W., _Penzance_, 2 copies.

Drake, Rev. W. H., _Halestown_, 2 copies.

Dunkin, Edwin, F.R.A.S., _Blackheath_.

Ellis, C. A., _Penzance_.

Fisher, Charles, _ditto_.

Fisher, Edward, _Ashby-de-la-Zouch_.

Farquharson, Mrs., _Penzance_.

Ford, J. W., _Petrolia_, 2 copies.

Foss, Thomas, C.E., _Mexico_.

Francis, James A., _Penzance_.

Francis, H., _Charlestown, St. Austell_.

Freel, C., _Penzance_.

Geffroi, H. M., _School of Science and Art, ditto_.

Genn, J. H., _Liverpool_.

Gilbert, Hon. Mrs., _Trelissick_.

Grenfell, William, _Birmingham_.

Grylls, Thomas, _Penzance_.

Harvey, William G., M.R.C.S.E., _ditto_, 3 copies.

Harvey, Miss, _ditto_.

Harvey, Joseph H., _ditto_.

Harvey, James, _ditto_.

Harvey, Miss Ellen Davies, _ditto_.

Harvey, R. Trewavas, H.M.C., _Liverpool_.

Hattam, Thomas, _St. Anthony Lighthouse_.

Hedgeland, Rev. Preb., _Penzance_.

Henwood, W. J., _ditto_, 2 copies.

Higgs, Samuel, Jun., F.G.S., _Wallaroo mines, Australia_.

Hirst, John, Jun., _Dobcross, Manchester_.

Holmes, Robert, _Penzance_.

Hutchens, Thomas, _Salisbury_.

Hunt, Robert, F.G.S., _Chelsea_, 2 copies.

Jackson, Capt. P., _Little Eppington, Barnstaple_.

James, J., _Penzance_.

James, J. H., _ditto_.

James, Hamilton, _Truro_.

James, S. H., _Alma Villa, St. Just_.

Jenkins, Isaac, _London_.

John, Miss, _Penzance_.

Kennedy, Patrick, _Anglesea Street, Dublin_.

Kevern, J. T., _Penzance_, 2 copies.

King, Henry, H.M.C., _ditto_.

Kistler, Matthias, _ditto_.

Kneebone, W. E., _Pensylva, Liskeard_.

Lanyon, J. J., _Penzance_.

Liebrecht, Dr. Felix, _Liege_.

Lovell, James, jun., _Chyandour_.

Luxmore, Capt., _Witherden, Devon_.

Maclean, Sir John, F.S.A., _Pallingswick Lodge, Hammersmith_.

Marrack, R. M., _London_.

Martin, Thomas, _Exeter_.

Mathews, Martin, _Penzance_.

Mathews, T., _ditto_.

Mathews, W., C.E., _London_.

Mauleverer, Miss, _The Mall, Armagh_.

Milton, J. P., _Penzance_.

Michell, Stephen, _ditto_.

Mitchell, William, _ditto_.

Millett, J. N., _ditto_.

Montgomery, J. B., M.D., M.R.C.P., _ditto_.

Morewood, R. D., _Trinity House, London_.

Morgan, G. V., _London_.

Morris, George T., _Bengal Staff Corps_.

Müller, Professor Max., _Oxford_, 2 copies.

Nance, Capt. Francis, _St. Martins, Scilly_.

Napier, James, F.C.S., _Camlachie, Glasgow_.

Nelson, Major-Gen., R.E., _Devonport_.

Nicholas, John, _Gamberton, South Australia_.

Noy, William D., _London_.

Nunn, John, Euston Square, _ditto_.

Pascoe, J. R. Cardwell, late, H.M.C., _Hayle_.

Paul, Nicholas, _Penzance_.

Paull, Alexander, M.R.C.S.E., _Truro_.

Pearse, W. H., _St. Paul's-road, London_.

Pease, William, jun., _Loswithiel_.

Pengelly, Mrs., _Penzance_.

Pentreath, Richard, H.M.C., _London_, 2 copies.

Pentreath, Capt. Wm., _Mousehole_.

Pentreath, Capt. Edwin, _Torpoint_.

Pentreath, Rev. Edwyn Sandys, _New York_.

Penzance Public Library.

Phillips, Henry L., _London_.

Pollard, James Glasson, _Charlotte Town, Michigan_.

Pooley, Miss Annie, _Penzance_.

Quick, Richard, _St. Ives_.

Quick, Vivian, _ditto_.

Quick, William Bottrell, _ditto_.

Ralfs, John, M.R.C.S.E., _Penzance_, 2 copies.

Ransom, E., Kempstone, _Bedford_.

Rawlings, W. J., _Downes, Hayle_.

Read, John Herbert, _California_.

Richards, John, _St. Buryan_.

Rigby, Samuel, _Warrington_, 5 copies.

Rodd, E. H., _Penzance_.

Roscorla, John, _ditto_.

Rothschild, Baroness, M. de, 2 copies.

Sandys, William, F.S.A., _London_.

Sherriff, J. D., C.E., _Truro_.

Smith, Augustus, late, _Tresco Abbey, Scilly_.

Spratt, G. E., _Porthcurnow_.

Tetley, Edward, _Sydenham_.

Thomas, Henry, _Penzance_.

Thomas, Henry, late, F.G.S., _London_.

Thomas, Stephen, _School of Art, Northampton_.

Tipping, George B., _London_.

Tonkin, Charles, _ditto_.

Tonkin, Rev. John, _Trevervyn, Buryan_.

Tredrea, E., _Cape Town, South Africa_.

Trevithick, Francis, C.E., _The Cliff, Penzance_.

Trounson, John, _London_.

Truran, J. Jameson, _Gresham House, London_.

Trythall, W., _Melbourne, Australia_.

Trythall, William, _Penzance_.

Uren, J. G., Post-master, _Penzance_.

Van de Weyer, His Excellency, M.S., _London_.

Victor, Henry R., _Penzance_.

Vingoe, John, _Exeter_.

Vingoe, W. H., _Penzance_.

Vosper-Thomas, Samuel, _Wimborne, Dorset_.

Vosper-Thomas, M. G., _ditto_.

Wallis, William, _Penzance_.

Wathen, Hulbert, _Himalaya_.

Wellington, Richard, _ditto_.

White, W. N., _London_.

Whitley, H. Michell, C.E., _ditto_.

Willan, L. R., M.D., M.R.C.P., _Penzance_.

Wildman, Albert C., _ditto_, 2 copies.

Wildman, Henry, _ditto_.

Williams, Henry, _ditto_.

Williams, Capt., _Ding Dong_, 2 copies.

Williams, T., _Trinity House, London_.

PENZANCE:
BEARE AND SON, STEAM PRINTERS, BOOKBINDERS, ETC.

ERRATA.

Page 11, line 21, for _flow_ read _flour_.

-- 33, -- 29, -- _king_ read _kind_.

-- 38, -- 25, -- _sevant_ read _servant_.

-- 41, -- 7, -- _candlelight_ read _candlelighting_.

-- 45, -- 23, -- _cairns_ read _carns_.

-- 54, -- 16, -- _the farming_ read _farming_.

-- 57, -- 1, read _and they, with a crew of such dare-devils
as suited them, set sail, &c._

-- 63, -- 13, for _crops_ read _cops_.

-- 75, -- 35, -- _shakened_ read _shaken_.

-- 76, -- 20, -- _a much_ read _much_.

-- 92, -- 21, -- _in_ read _into_.

-- 106, -- 1, -- _comrades_ read _comrade_.

-- 114, -- 3, omit _with_.

-- 115, -- 12, for _such_ read _much_.

-- 127, -- 36, omit _heap of_.

-- 196, -- 15, for _there_ read _their_.

-- 213, -- 45, -- _cairns_ read _carns_.

-- 235, -- 42, -- _stag_ read _the stag_.

-- 235, -- 24, -- _strait_ read _straight_.

-- 265, -- 26, -- _wisewom_ read _wise-woman_.

-- 272, -- 20, -- _with the_ read _which_.

-- 273, -- 1, -- _was_ read _were_.

-- 273, -- 11, -- _boat_ read _coat_.

-- 273, -- 16, -- _or_ read _ar_.

-- 274, -- 32, -- _Trevedern_ read _Trevervyn_.

-- 274, -- 37, -- _Herbrides_ read _Hebrides_.

-- 275, -- 2, -- _Snorro_ read _Snorri_.

* * * * *

Transcriber's note:

Corrections from the list of ERRATA on page 299 have been incorporated in the text.

Obvious typographical errors were corrected, as listed below. Other apparent inconsistencies or errors, including different or missing entries in the Table of Contents, have been retained. Missing punctuation has been restored and hyphenation has been made consistent. Period spellings and grammatical uses have been kept.

Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).

Page 4, "dinnner" changed to "dinner". (Now you needn't eat any bread and cheese, as dinner will be ready soon.)

Page 4, 24 and 25, "seive" changed to "sieve" for consistency. (Duffy seated, carding and making rolls of wool, which were placed in a cayer (winnowing sieve.))

Page 8, "Joan" changed to "Jone" for consistency. ("Jone, take up the pie, if its ready or raw. I'm as hungry as a hound.")

Page 21, "ftom" changed to "from". (Madam watched her good man spurring his Dobbin till he was clear of Trove town-place, then down she ran to Mill and told old Betty that unless she got a speedy release from her irksome task she would drown herself in the mill-pool.)

Page 26, "its" changed to "it's" twice. ("Though it's comforting to have companions in affliction," said she, after a pull at the flaggon, "yet from the regard I have for your honour and mistress there, I have spoke of my ailment to warn 'e that as sure as I sit here with a broken twadling-string it will soon be the same with my lady there, if it's true, what I do hear, that you keep her to spin from morn till night most every day of the year.)

Page 29, [+] represents a typographical dagger, or obelisk symbol.

Page 33, "ninteen" changed to "nineteen". (The legend that the (originally) nineteen posts were damsels ...)

Page 35, "of of" changed to "of". (... would sooner or later overtake the sacrilegious destroyer of the ancient holy stones.)

Page 35, "alter-like" changed to "altar-like". (In many of the oldest villages there were formerly altar-like stones, known by the name of garrac zans, (the holy stones) which were protected by the fear of the goddess of Bad Luck;)

Page 43, "the the" changed to "the". ("And have ye been lawfully married, my darling?" asked the old dame.)

Page 60, "her's" changed to "hers". (That while, one Tom Trenoweth, a cousin of hers, offered a trifle more and purchased the sow.)

Page 60, "to" changed to "too". ("You're too late, cousin," said Tom, "I've bought her.")

Page 70, "and and" changed to "and". (She was, above all, elated when her royal guest smacked her lips after a sip of brandy, and swore, "by cock and pie," that "true as she was a sinner, never before, in all her born days, had she so much enjoyed a repast.")

Page 72, "is" changed to "it". (The shell-room was built after, and some say it was intended to commemorate that honour.)

Page 78, "an an" changed to "an". (Tom, having placed his tin in one of the hollows of this stone, inquired the news, and asked how work was away in the East Country, of merchants from Market-jew, who brought goods in their vessels to Parcurnow, which was then clear of sand, and the tide flowed in a deep channel up to an old caunse (paved road) still to be seen.)

Page 91, "to to" changed to "to". (Next day, Tom and his wife, being alone together, she said to him, "Now, whilst the maid is out, tell me, my son, what dost thee think of her sweetheart and of their being married soon?")

Page 112, "the the" changed to "the". (... besides the black kerchief or scarf, over your head, shades your face.)

Page 113, "Hear" changed to "Here". ("Here, dears, drink this, and help yourselves to more while I get something for 'e to eat before I hear another word.")

Page 113, "choral" has been changed to "coral". (On the chimney-piece they might have noticed an hour-glass between tall brass candlesticks, branches of coral, sea-birds' eggs, sea-urchins, and foreign shells.)

Page 128, "Armonican" changed to "Armorican" for consistency. (We can't follow the old guide through the long story he used to relate of what passed between him and the Armorican gentleman.)

Page 128, "butno thing" changed to "but nothing". (Service was over and the congregation dispersed, but the church-door key being kept at the inn, they inspected the church to see if any memorial of the I'ans was to be found, but nothing connected with them was observed in carved shields or bench-ends, nor elsewhere.)

Page 157, "left" changed to "let". (... how he put out her eye, because she let him know, and other people too, that she was up to his tricks, and had found out which way he managed to live so easy without working like an honest man.)

Page 184, "showind" changed to "showing". (She could no more endure her old home--and, showing but little regard for its inmates, loathed their homely fare and old fashioned ways.)

Page 196, "its" changed to "it's". (The rest I don't remember; it's something about sceptred king's and beggar's dust coming to the same pass.)

Page 199, "aulf" changed to "aulfe". (Says that the fairy left this aulfe, ...)

Page 233, "parence" changed to "parece". (no parece sino que no nos movemos de un lugar.)

Page 233, "Bein" changed to "Bien". (Bien es verdad que sentí que pasaba por la region del aire, y aun que tocaba á la del fuego;)

Page 242, "scatica" changed to "sciatica". (In a croft belonging to Lanyon farm, and about half a mile north of the town-place, there is a remarkable group of three stones, the centre one of which is called by antiquaries the Men-an-tol (holed stone), and by country folk the Crick-stone, from an old custom--not yet extinct--of "crameing" (crawling on all fours) nine times through the hole in the centre stone, going against the sun's course, for the cure of lumbago, sciatica, and other "cricks" and pains in the back.)

Page 273, missing "in" added. (The former of these subsequently married Joseph Marke, of Woodhill, near Liskeard, gentleman, and jointly with her sister in 1699, disposed of the property, contrary to the wish of their cousin, Mr. Vosper, of Liskeard and Launcells.)

Page 276, "Ola" changed to "Olaf". (... he retained no more of his name than that he was called Olaf, and was Russian.)

Page 279, "hisown" changed to "his own". (The Rev. Dr. William Borlase, the celebrated antiquary and historian of his own county, who, by his elaborate work, has raised to his own memory an enduring monument, was born here.)

Page 282, "cicles" changed to "circles". (The holed stones at Kenidjac, St. Just, are near ancient circles;)

Page 288, "wierd" changed to "weird". (We would gladly go many miles to see the weird-looking, yet picturesque, dancers around the flames on a carn, or high hill top, as we have seen them some forty years ago.)

Page 288, "apears" changed to "appears". (We are sorry to find that another pleasing Midsummer's observance, which also appears to be ancient, has almost died out.)

Page 293, "drive" changed to "driven". (Fairies, how they may be driven away.)

Footnote 3 was originally unnumbered. Footnote numbers were added next to the three stories which the footnote referred to.