Dr. Boase says of the Geology: the town of Bodmin is about midway
between two insulated groups of granite, and it is principally built
of a stone quarried on the spot, and which well deserves the attention
of geologists. This rock in the deeper parts of the quarry becomes
more blue; but its common appearance presents various shades of drab
or fawn colour, with irregular spots of an ochreous yellow. It breaks
into thick laminæ, or slabs, which are traversed by parallel joints;
so that, with care, this stone may be obtained in oblong quadrangular
masses. It is soft; sometimes so much so as to lose its cohesion. The
substance appears to be almost entirely argillaceous.
All the cultivated parts of this parish, north and north-west of the
town, rest on this rock: and the barren parts on a schistose rock,
which is very siliceous, affording by its partial disintegration no
more than a shallow, meagre soil; silica predominating in the one, and
argillaceous earth, or alumine, in the other. The characteristic rocks
of these genera occur next to the granite in the parishes of Blisland
and St. Breward, and they will be noticed in the description of the
latter parish.
* * * * *
The editor is aware that the article Bodmin has extended to a very
great length. It might easily have been extended much further from
interesting materials collected by Mr. Wallis relative to the past and
present state of this chief seat of our ecclesiastical establishments.
On their abolition the town unquestionably fell into great decay, till
about the middle of the last century, when roads were made in all
directions, and Bodmin, from being almost inaccessible by the modern
system of travelling, became an extensive thoroughfare; the market has
grown into one of the first in Cornwall, and the whole town is
renovated by trade and industry.
If any further apology is required, the editor hopes that he may be
excused for some partiality towards a place which he has represented
in eight successive Parliaments, after as many unanimous elections.
[15] Speccot.
[16] Bocarne, or Boscarne, seems evidently the house [on] a
rock.
[17] This establishment having completely degenerated, and
become a mere receptacle for persons of the very worst
description, the charter was, about twenty years ago,
declared forfeited; and the revenues have been attached to
the county hospital, reserving a preference for lepers over
all other patients, if any such should present themselves.
[18] A similar account of this curious affair is given by
Hoveden, another contemporary author, who continued the
history of England from the year 731, where that of Bede
ceases, to 1202, the fourth year of King John.
A.D. 1177. Eodem Anno, Martinus, canonicus regularis
ecclesiæ de Bomine, furtivè asportavit corpus Sancti
Petroci, et fugiens secum detulit in Britanniam ad Abbatiam
Sancti Mevenni. Quo comperto, Rogerus Prior Ecclesiæ de
Bomine, cum saniore parte capituli sui, adiit Regem Angliæ
Patrem; et adversus cùm effecit, quòd præcipiendo mandavit
Abbati et Conventui Sancti Mevenni, ut sine delatione
redderent corpus Beati Petroci, Rogero Priori de Bomine,
jurantes super Sancta Evangelia, et super sanctorum
reliquias, quòd ipsi idem corpus, et non alternatum, cum
omni integritate reddiderunt.
But King Athelstan is said to have given a part of the
bones, the hair, and the garments of this saint to the
church of St. Peter at Exeter.