_Ancient Connexion of Cornwall and Phoenicia._--The effort to trace the
ancient connexion of countries by the relics of their different customs,
would be amusing if not useful. The fragment of the voyage of Hamilcar the
Carthaginian confirms the trade of the Phoenicians with Cornwall for tin.
The Roman writers still extant confirm it. The traffic was carried on by
way of Gades or Cadiz, the Carthaginians being the carriers for the
Phoenicians. In Andalusia to this day, middle-aged and old men are
addressed _Tio_, or uncle; as _Tio Gorgè_, "Uncle George." This custom
prevails in Cornwall also, and only there besides. Is not that a trace of
the old intercourse? Again, clouted cream, known only in the duchy of
Cornwall, which once extended as far as the river Exe in Devon, is only
found besides in Syria and near modern Tyre, whence the same tin trade was
carried on. These are curious coincidences. Many of the old Cornish words
are evidently of Spanish origin: as _cariad_, _caridad_, charity or
benevolence; _Egloz_ or _Eglez_, a church; _Iglesia_ or _Yglezia_, and many
others, which seem to bear a relation to the same intercourse.
The notice respecting the word _cot_ or _cote_,--termination of proper
names in a particular district in Cornwall,--already mentioned in these
pages, supposed to be Saxon from the idea that its use was confined to one
district, which I have shown to be a mistake, may be from the Cornish word
_icot_, "below," in place of the Saxon _cote_ or _cot_, "cottage." Thus,
_goracot_ is probably from _gora_ or _gorra_, and _icot_, i. e. "down
below." {508} _Trelacot_ from _Tre_, "a town," and _icot_, "below." The _l_
was often prefixed for sound sake: as _lavalu_ for _avalu_, "an apple;"
_quedhan lavalu_, "an apple tree;" _Callacot_, from _cala_, or _calla_,
"straw," and _icot_. The introduction of the vowel _a_ for _i_ might be a
corruption in spelling after the sound. This is only surmise, but it has an
appearance of probability.