Stories and folk-lore of West Cornwall. Third Series

and so the folk-lore student, in collecting the myths, the proverbs, the traditions, the customs of the peasants of many lands, is doing an important work in accumulating facts bearing on the history of mankind; not the mere records of the wars and doings of kings and generals, but of the beliefs, aspirations, thoughts and feelings of the working classes of various nations.

In this work the author has done some valuable service, and it is to be hoped that this addition to his former labours may be found of value, seeing that it deals not with the traditions of the peasantry of distant and foreign lands, but with the legends and traditions of the country folk of one of the most romantic and interesting counties of “Merrie England.”

CONTENTS.

PAGE Legends of Ladock 1 The Prize Wrestler and Demon 3 The Feathered Fiend 12 The Ghosts of Kenegie 21 Laying Wild Harris’s Ghost 26 Cornish Castles 37 The Haunted Lawyer 39 Hallantide: or a St. Just Feast fifty years ago 48 Mill Stories 60 A Poor Tinner’s Feast 62 An old Droll about a Poor Tinner’s Feast 69 A Madron Feast of fifty years ago 73 Zennor Hearthside Stories 80 The Seaman’s Ghost 84 The Old Woman’s Ghost 88 The Mutton Feast of St. Ives 89 The Witch of Kerrow 91 Fairies on the Eastern Green 92 The last Threatened Invasion: Commotion and False Alarm in the West 95 Mal Treloare and Sandry Kemp kiss and become good friends again: or Backbiting Crull outwitted 97 The Three Geese 100 The Earl of Stairs’ Son 105 From Penzance to Carn Galva: Noteworthy objects by the way 114 Madron 114 Madron Well 115 Madron Chapel 117 Lanyon Quoit 117 Lanyon Town Place and House 119 The Crick-stone 119 Men Scryfa 121 The Four Parishes 121 The Giant of Carn Galva 122 The Penzance of our Grandfathers 126 The Old Market-House and its surroundings 126 The Battle of Architectural Styles 128 The Self-taught Architect 128 The Bustle of a Market Day 129 Madam Trezillian’s Head-Dress 130 The Ancient Fish-Women of Penzance 131 The School-days and Home of Pellew 131 The Western approach to Penzance 133 Parson Spry and his Wooden Horse and Dog “Sport” 133 The Rev. James Bevan 137 Country Clerks and Country Choirs 138 Old Christmas Carols 138 Ancient mode of conducting Funerals 139 Former means of information among the people 140 The Astrologers of the West 141 Conjurors and their Spells 142 Old Justice Jones 143 The Vingoes of Treville 143 Pellew and his Cornish crew 144 Ancient Games 144 Old methods of Conveyance—Riding Pillion 145 Popular Songs of the times, Marlbrook, and Sentimental Ditties 145 Green Lanes and Footpaths 148 Pack-Saddles, &c. 148 Going to Town on Market-day 149 Early part of this Century 150 An old-fashioned greeting 151 The Ghosts of Chapel-street and St. Mary’s Chapel-yard 152 Local Nicknames 155 Merry-geeks and Market-Jew Crows 155 Ludgvan Hurlers and Gulval Bulls 155 Moushal Cut-throats and Newlyn Buckas 156 Sancras Pigs and Buryan Boars 156 St. Levan Witches, &c. 157 Santust Fuggans and Morvah Chick-chacks 158 Nancledrea Rats and Zennor Goats 158 Towednack Cuckoos and St. Ives Hakes 159 A Cornish Droll: Betty Toddy and her Gown 161 The Ghost-layer 171 Cornish Dialogue between two old men 173 A Dialogue between Gracey Penrose and Mally Trevisky 175 Christmas Carols 177 Ancient Midsummer Customs 179 The “Hilla” 181 The Ancient Cornish Language in the Colonies 183 According how et may drop 184 Cornish words in use 185 Cornish observances with regard to the Sun and Moon 187 Cornish Conjurors’ Charms against Witchcraft 190 All on one side, like Smoothy’s wedding 192 Piskies 193 Old Cornish Words 195 Glossary of Local Words 197 Subscribers’ Names 199

LEGENDS OF LADOCK.

“A good man there was of religioun, That was a poure persone of a toun: But riche he was of holy thought and werk, He was also a lerned man—a clerk.

And though he holy were and vertuous, He was to sinful men not despitous, Ne of his speche dangerous ne digne (proud), But in his teching discrete and benigne.”

Chaucer.

A little more than a century ago the Rector of Ladock was the Rev. Mr. Wood, who was a most zealous churchman even in the days of misty prejudice, when churchmen in general looked upon nonconformists as scabbed sheep in their fold, and held that no schismatics were to be tolerated. From having unwavering faith in the grace conferred by his ordination, he was endowed with remarkable powers as an exorcist and ghost-layer. The reverend gentleman was also an adept in astrology and other occult sciences, which enabled him to perform wonders. The simple folk of that secluded place, believing that their good parson possessed more knowledge than is attributed to ordinary members of the three learned professions combined, sought his aid in their physical infirmities and social disturbances, as well as for their spiritual wants. These simple, honest people were not much troubled in regard to the latter. In those tranquil times they were comparatively temperate in religious matters. There were many traits in the secular side of Mr. Wood’s character for which he was much liked and respected. If any dispute arose between his parishioners the matter was referred to him; and, such was their confidence in the justice of his award, that they always abided by his decision. If they had difficulties in parish business the parson explained the law on the subject, and the matter was settled accordingly. With the youngsters, too, he was a great favourite. He encouraged them to keep up the old games of wrestling, hurling, and other manly sports. The silver hurling-ball was left in the parson’s care, and at the Tides, when he gave it to the young men, he would say to them, “Now, my boys, be on your honour with each other, and let it be your pride to behave according to the legend engraved on your ball, in old Cornish, which means, as you know, that ‘Fair Play is Good Play!’ Be sure, too, that One and All observe the ancient laws of your games, which I will explain to ye if there should be any uncertainty.” Mr. Wood mostly gratified the youngsters by being a spectator of their games, and, unless he appeared on the Green, some of them went to request his presence.

He would often say to the men, “A knowledge of the science of wrestling is as necessary as that of boxing to give one a ready means of self defence. Besides, it is a respectable exercise from its antiquity. Old chroniclers say that the hero Corineus (or Corin) with his Trojan hosts, by their faculty of wrestling subdued the Giants by whom this Western Land was possessed when he and Brutus, with their followers, landed at Totnes.” He told them how Corin threw the Giants’ king, Gogmagog, on Plymouth Hoe, and then cast him headlong into the sea over the cliff ever since called Langomagog, or the Giant’s Leap.

“For which the conquering Brute, on Corineus brave This horn of land bestowed, and marked it with his name, Of Corin, Cornwall call’d, to his immortal fame.”

“Soon after this,” Mr. Wood used to say, “the rest of the giants died for grief. The remembrance of Corin’s exploit was also preserved by the figures of the wrestlers being cut out in the turf on Plymouth Hoe. These were renewed as they were worn out. The Cornish should be proud to excel in this exercise, for the remembrance of the great Corineus from whom they are said to derive their pedigree! So shew yourselves like brave Trojans, my boys—equally ready to fairly fight and then to feast with their opponents, using no cunning wiles or tricks to betray. They were good hurlers, too, as well as wrestlers. Besides this, our old heroic games, and the chase, which may be classed with them, afford such wholesome excitement as serves to dispel melancholy thoughts, which, if they be brooded over, are apt to render people crazy, especially when they lead such solitary lives as most country-folk must. The wisest of eastern sages has said that there are proper times for joyous diversions as well as for labour. Such old romances, too, as are related around the winter’s hearth, serve the same good purpose in that dreary season.”

It seems that, formerly, in spite of all the subtle disguises that the devil assumed, he was mostly known when ranging abroad; and Mr. Wood was always able to detect and conquer him, if he ventured within his jurisdiction. The parson changed the Evil One into the shape of an animal, and then belaboured the infernal beast lustily with his hunting-whip, until it ran away, howling like Tregagle. When walking, Mr. Wood usually carried a stout ebony stick. On its massive silver head was engraved a pentacle, or Solomon’s seal, and on a broad ring or ferrule, just below the knob, were planetary signs and mystical figures. This staff was regarded with curiosity and awe. It was said that, by means of it, “he ruled the planets, controuled evil spirits, repelled witchcraft, and performed supernatural work generally.”

The following stories are still told by the winter’s fireside in Ladock and adjacent parishes. As usual there are various versions, which differ in detail, because our old droll-tellers claimed a free flight for fancy in such portions of their stories as admitted of it.

THE PRIZE WRESTLER AND DEMON.

There was a famous wrestler of Ladock, called John Trevail, though more generally known among his comrades as “Cousin Jackey,” from the common practice of thus styling favourites who may be no relation. One Midsummer’s day Jackey went into a neighbouring parish and threw their champion wrestler. In his pride, he said, as he swaggered round the ring, “I am open to a challenge from any man, and wouldn’t mind having a hitch with the Devil himself, ef he’d venture!”

After the wrestling he passed a few hours with his comrades in the public house. On his way home, alone, about the “turn of night,” he came to a common called Le Pens Plat, which is two miles or more from Ladock Churchtown. As he was going on slowly, from being somewhat tired, and not very steady in the head, he was overtaken by a gentleman dressed like a clergyman, who accosted him in gentle tones, saying,

“I was at the wrestling to-day, and I think you are the prize wrestler. Am I right?”

“Yes, sir, I won the prize that I now carry,” replied Trevail, who felt very uneasy at meeting there such a strange, black-coated gentleman at that time of night, though a full moon and clear sky made it almost as light as day.

“I am very fond of wrestling myself,” resumed the stranger; “it’s an ancient, manlike exercise, for which we Cornishmen have always been renowned; and, as I want to learn more science in my play, I should much like to try a bout with you; say for your gold lace hat and five guineas, which I will stake.”

“Not now, sir, for I’m tired,” Jackey replied, “but I’ll play you after dinner-time if you please, when I’ve had a few hours rest—say two or three o’clock, if it will please you.”

“Oh no; it must be at midnight, or soon after, now the nights are short,” said the stranger; “it would never do for one in my position to be seen here wrestling with you, high by day; it would scandalize my cloth in these particular and gossip-loving times.”