_For the Table Book._
At Filey a singular range of rock, said to resemble the celebrated mole
of Tangiers, extends from the cliff a considerable way into the sea, and
is called Filey bridge. It is covered by the sea at high tide, but may
be traversed for upwards of a quarter of a mile at low water. From the
farther end a distant, but, in fine weather, a distinct view may be had
of Scarborough and the Castle on the one hand, and of Flamborough-head
and the Lighthouse, with an extensive stretch of lofty chalk-stone
cliff, on the other. When the wind is from the north-east the waves
break over it majestically, and may be seen rising up in foamy spray to
a great distance, producing an imposing and awful appearance. From its
singularity there is no wonder that the credulous, the superstitious,
and the vulgar, who have always had a propensity to attach something of
the marvellous to whatever is extraordinary, should have made this ridge
an object from which to form a story.
Perhaps, Mr. Editor, you, as well as many of the readers of the _Table
Book_, may have seen the haddock at different times, and observed the
black marks on its sides. But do you know, sir, how the haddock came by
these said marks? The legendary tale of Filey says, that the devil in
one of his mischievous pranks determined to build Filey bridge for the
destruction of ships and sailors, and the annoyance of fishermen, but
that in the progress of his work he accidentally let fall his hammer
into the sea, and being in haste to snatch it back caught a haddock, and
thereby made the imprint, which the whole species retains to this day.
The village of Filey is seated in a small and beautiful bay. The settled
inhabitants depend chiefly on the fishery, which is carried on with
success to a considerable extent, although of late years a few good
houses have been built, and several respectable families have resorted
thither during the season, for the purpose of sea-bathing, for which the
beach is well adapted. The church is in the form of a cross, with a
steeple in the middle, and bears some resemblance to an ancient
cathedral in miniature; it stands at a distance from the village, being
divided by a deep ravine, which forms the boundary of partition between
the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire; the church consequently stands
in the former, and the village in the latter of the two Ridings.