Is crown’d with Castles, and whose rocky sides
Are clad with dusky ivy; he whose base,
Bent by the storms of ages, stands unmov’d
Amidst the wreck of things—the change of time.
That base, encircl’d by the azure waves,
Was once with verdure clad; the towering oaks
Here waved their branches green; the sacred oaks,
Whose awful shades among the Druids stray’d,
To cut the hallow’d Mistletoe, and hold
High converse with their Gods.
Footnote 25:
See page 23.
Footnote 26:
_Carew_ states, that “during the Cornish Commotions, divers Gentlemen
with their Wives and Families fled to the protection of this place,
where the Rebels besieged them, fyrst wynning the playne at the hill’s
foote by assault, when the water was out, and then the even ground on
the top, by carrying up great trusses of Hay before them to blench the
defender’s sight, and dead their shot, after which they could make but
slender resistance, for no sooner should any one within peep his head
over those unflanked walls, but he became an open mark to an whole
shower of arrows. This disadvantage together with Woman’s dismay, and
decrease of Victuals forced a Surrender to these _Rakehells_ mercey,
who nothing guilty of that effeminate Vertue, spoyl’d their goods,
imprison’d their bodies, and were rather by God’s gracious providence,
than any want of will, purpose or attempt, restained from murdering
the principal persons.”—Lady Catherine Gordon, wife of the noted
Perkin Warbeck, the impostor and pretender to the crown, was taken
prisoner at St. Michael’s Mount, and when it surrendered in 1646, to
the Parliamentary Forces under Colonel Hammond, after great
resistance, a considerable quantity of ammunition and stores were
taken.
Footnote 27:
Penzance is thus noticed by Leland.—“Penzantes about a mile from
Mousehold, standing fast in the shore of Mount Bay, is the Westest
Market Town of all Cornwall, Socur for botes or Shypes, but a forced
pere or Key—Theyr is but a Chapel yn the sayd towne, as ys in Newlyn,
For theyr paroche Chyrches be more than a mile off.”—Penzance is
noticed in history as having been destroyed by fire in the year 1595,
by a party of Spaniards, who landed at Mousehole, but were soon
prevented from effecting further mischief, by the bravery of the
Cornishmen.
Footnote 28:
Crosses are very prevalent in Cornwall. Almost every village contains
one or more. They consist in general, of a shaft of granite, and a
torved head, with the figure of a cross in relief. The most remarkable
ones, are the cross in Mawgan church-yard, Lanhivitt, and Frier Hole
Cross, on the side of the road leading from Bodmin to Launceston.
Footnote 29:
WILLIAM BORLASE, a learned English antiquary, was born at Pendeen, in
the parish of St. Just, Cornwall, February 2, 1695–6. The family of
that name, from which he was descended, had been settled at that place
from whence they derived it (Borlase,) from the time of King William
Rufus. Our author was the second son of John Borlase, Esq. of Pendeen,
in the parish before mentioned, by Lydea, the youngest daughter of
Christopher Harris, Esq. of Hayne, in the county of Devon, and was
early put to school at Penzance, from which he was removed in 1709, to
that of the Rev. Mr. Bedford, then a learned schoolmaster at Plymouth.
Having completed his grammatical education, he was entered of Exeter
College, Oxford, in March, 1712–3, where, on the first of June, 1719,
he took the degree of Master of Arts. In the same year, Mr. Borlase
was admitted to deacons’ orders, and ordained priest in 1720. On the
22nd of April, 1722, he was instituted by Dr. Watson, Bishop of
Exeter, to the rectory of Ludgvan, in Cornwall, to which he had been
presented by Charles, Duke of Bolton. On the 28th of July, 1724, he
was married in the church of Illugan, by his elder brother, Dr.
Borlase of Castlehorneck, to Anne, eldest surviving daughter and
coheir of William Smith, M. A. rector of the parishes of Camborn and
Illugan. In 1732, the Lord Chancellor King, by the recommendation of
Sir William Morrice, Bart. presented Mr. Borlase to the vicarage of
St. Just, his native parish, and where his father had a considerable
property. This vicarage and the rectory of Ludgvan were the only
preferments he ever received.
When Mr. Borlase was fixed at Ludgvan, which was a retired, but a
delightful situation, he soon recommended himself as a pastor, a
gentleman, and a man of learning. The duties of his profession he
discharged with the most rigid punctuality and exemplary dignity. He
was esteemed and respected by the principal gentry of Cornwall, and
lived on the most friendly and social terms with those of his
neighbourhood. In the pursuit of general knowledge he was active and
vigorous: and his mind being of an inquisitive turn, he could not
survey with inattention or indifference the peculiar objects which his
situation pointed to his view. There were in the parish of Ludgvan
rich copper works, belonging to the late Earl of Godolphin. These
abounded with mineral and metallic fossils, which Mr. Borlase
collected from time to time; and his collection increasing by degrees,
he was encouraged to study at large the natural history of his native
county. While he was engaged in this design, he could not avoid being
struck with the numerous monuments of remote antiquity, that are to be
met with in several parts of Cornwall, and which had hitherto been
passed over with far less examination than they deserved. Enlarging,
therefore, his plan, he determined to gain as accurate an acquaintance
as possible with the Druid learning, and with the religion and customs
of the ancient Britons, before their conversion to Christianity. To
this undertaking he was encouraged by several gentlemen of his
neighbourhood, who were men of literature and lovers of British
antiquities; and particularly by Sir John St. Aubyn, ancestor of the
present baronet of that family, and the late Rev. Edward Collins,
vicar of St. Earth. In the year 1748, Mr. Borlase, happening to attend
the ordination of his eldest son at Exeter, commenced an acquaintance
with the Rev. Dr. Charles Lyttleton, late Bishop of Carlisle, then
come to be installed into the deanery, and the Rev. Dr. Milles, the
late dean, two eminent antiquaries in London. Our author’s
correspondence with these gentlemen was a great encouragement to the
prosecution of his studies; and he has acknowledged his obligations to
them, in several parts of his works. In 1750, being at London, he was
admitted a fellow of the Royal Society, into which he had been chosen
the year before, after having communicated an ingenious “Essay on the
Cornish Crystals.” Mr. Borlase, having completed in 1753 his
manuscript of the Antiquities of Cornwall, carried it to Oxford, where
he finished the whole impression, in folio, in the February following.
A second edition of it, in the same form, was published at London, in
1769. Our author’s next publication was, “Observations on the ancient
and present state of the Islands of Scilly, and their importance to
the trade of Great Britain, in a letter to the Rev. Charles Lyttleton,
L. L. D. Dean of Exeter, and F.R.S.” This work, which was printed
likewise at Oxford, and appeared in 1756, in quarto, was an extension
of a paper that had been read before the Royal Society, on the 8th of
February, 1753, entitled “An Account of the great Alterations, which
the Islands of Scilly have undergone since the time of the ancients,
who mention them, as to their number, extent, and position.” It was at
the request of Dr. Lyttleton, that this account was enlarged into a
distinct treatise. In 1757, Mr. Borlase again employed the Oxford
Press, in printing his “Natural History of Cornwall,” for which he had
been many years making collections, and which was published in April,
1758. After this, he sent a variety of fossils, and remains of
antiquity, which he had described in his works in the Ashmolean
Museum; and to the same repository he continued to send every thing
curious which fell into his hands. For these benefactions he received
the thanks of the University, in a letter from the Vice-chancellor,
dated Nov. 18, 1758; and in March, 1766, that learned body conferred
on him the degree of doctor of laws, by diploma, the highest
academical order.
Though Dr. Borlase, when he had completed his three principal works,
was become more than sixty years of age, he continued to exert his
usual diligence and vigour in quiet attention to his pastoral duty,
and the study of the scriptures. In the course of this study he drew
up paraphrases on the books of Job, and the books of Solomon, and
wrote some other pieces of a religious kind, rather, however, for his
private improvement, than with a view to publication. His amusements
abroad were to superintend the care of his Parish, and particularly
the forming and reforming of its roads, which were more numerous than
in any parish of Cornwall. His amusements at home were the belles
lettres, and especially painting; and the correction and enlargement
of his “Antiquities of Cornwall,” for a second edition, engaged some
part of his time; and when this business was completed, he applied his
attention to a minute revision of his “Natural History.” After this,
he prepared for the press a treatise he had composed some years
before, concerning the creation and deluge. But a violent illness, in
January, 1771, and the apprehension of entangling himself in so long
and close an attention as the correcting the sheets, solely, and at
such a distance from London, would require, induced him to drop his
design, and to recall the manuscript from his bookseller, when only a
few pages of it had been printed. From the time of his illness, he
began sensibly to decline; the infirmities of old age came fast upon
him; and it was visible to all his friends that his dissolution was
approaching. This expected event happened on the 31st of August, 1772,
in the 77th year of his age, when he was lamented as a kind father, an
affectionate brother, a sincere friend, an instructive pastor, and a
man of erudition. He was buried within the communion rails in Ludgvan
Church, by the side of Mrs. Borlase, who had been dead above three
years.
The Doctor had by his lady six sons, two of whom alone survived him,
the Rev. Mr. John Borlase, and the Rev. Mr. George Borlase, who was
Casuistical Professor and Registrar of the University of Cambridge,
and died in 1809. Besides Dr. Borlase’s literary connections with Dr.
Lyttleton and Dr. Milles, before-mentioned, he corresponded with most
of the literary men of his time. He had a particular intercourse of
this kind with Mr. Pope; and there is still existing a large
collection of letters, written by that celebrated poet to our author.
He furnished Mr. Pope with the greatest part of the materials for
forming his grotto at Twickenham, consisting of such curious fossils
as the county of Cornwall abounds with; and there might have been
seen, before the destruction of that curiosity, Dr. Borlase’s name in
capitals, composed of crystals, in the grotto. On this occasion a very
handsome letter was written to the Doctor by Mr. Pope, in which he
says, “I am much obliged to you for your valuable collection of
Cornish diamonds. I have placed them where they may best represent
yourself, in a shade, but shining,” alluding to the obscurity of Dr.
Borlase’s situation, and the brilliancy of his talents.—The papers
which he communicated at different times to the Royal Society are
numerous and curious.
Footnote 30:
Dr. Borlase’s MSS. quoted in Lysons’ Cornwall, p. 149.
Footnote 31:
Lyson’s Mag. Brit. p. 150.
Footnote 32:
Lyson’s Mag. Brit. 245.
Footnote 33:
Lyson’s Mag. Brit. p. 306.
Footnote 34:
Warner’s Tour.
Footnote 35:
Lyson’s Mag. Brit. for Cornwall, p. 296.
Footnote 36:
A very fine portrait of Sir B. Grenville, is to be found in Gilbert’s
Cornwall.
Footnote 37:
Sir Richard Grenville, a celebrated military and naval commander in
the reign of Queen Elizabeth. He first distinguished himself in the
wars under the Emperor Maximilian against the Turks, for which his
name is recorded by several foreign writers. In the year 1591, being
then Vice-Admiral of England, he was sent in the Revenge, with a
squadron of seven ships, to intercept the Spanish galleons; when
falling in with the enemy’s fleet, consisting of 52 sail, near the
Tercera islands, be repulsed them 15 times in a continued fight, till
his powder was all spent: his ship, which sunk before it could arrive
in port, was reduced to a hulk, and himself covered with wounds, of
which he died two days afterwards, on board the vessel of the Spanish
commander.
Footnote 38:
A collection of verses, by the University of Oxford, on the death of
Sir Beville Grenville, was printed in 1643, and reprinted in 1684. To
these are annexed King Charles’s Letters to Sir Beville Grenville, and
to the county of Cornwall; and a patent of Charles I. which grants to
the county of Cornwall a trade to Denmark, to the great Duke of
Muscovy, and to the Levant. Martin Llewellyn was a poet and physician,
and was sometime principal of St. Mary Hall, in Oxford: in the latter
part of his life he resided at High Wycomb; died there in 1682, and
lies buried in the north aisle of the chancel.
Footnote 39:
Newport, which was antiently under the jurisdiction of the town of
Launceston, is one of the notorious Boroughs of Cornwall, having
returned members to Parliament since the reign of Edward VI. The
number of voters, does not, in general, exceed 30 persons.
Footnote 40:
In the course of the proceedings on the election case in 1803, when
the rights of the Corporation were confirmed, it appeared from
records, that there was a Mayor in the reign of Richard II.
Footnote 41:
Beauties of Cornwall.
Footnote 42:
See Gorham’s History of St. Neot’s, pp. 29–37. London, 1820.
Footnote 43:
So determined in Gorham’s History of St. Neot’s, p. 231. Mr. Whitaker
(Life of Neot, pp. 191–203) thinks the date is intended for 1530; and
that the body of the Church was built in 1199,—a wild conjecture, in
defiance of architectural evidence!
Footnote 44:
See Gorham’s History of St. Neot’s, pp. 233–245.
Footnote 45:
Archives of Linc. Cath., in a vol. entitled, “Memoranda Oliveri
Sutton,” ff. 122 b., 123, a curious testimonial by Anselm, Abbot of
Bec., of his examination of the relics of St. Neot, in 1078.
Footnote 46:
Whitaker’s Life of Neot, pp. 203–211.
Footnote 47:
Bodmin has been described by many writers, as a very unhealthy place;
the contrary, however, is the fact: for during the last ten years, the
number of funerals have only been 409, and baptisms 854.—The town
suffered much in the years 1576 and 1581, from a pestilence. It is now
remarkable for the health and longevity of the inhabitants.
Footnote 48:
Owing unfortunately to the bursting of the boilers of some of the
engines at this mine, very lately, two men lost their lives; but most
fortunately many others had previously quitted their work, or
otherwise they would have experienced the same melancholy fate.
Footnote 49:
One of the vague terms sometimes given to the crust or coating of the
ore, sometimes to an argillaceous substance, and sometimes to a quartz
ore one. The miners have pretty generally determined, however, that
caple must be black; and at Polgooth they mean a heavy kind of quartz,
which is perfectly opake, and contains a large portion of argill.
Footnote 50:
Vide Beauties of England and Wales for Cornwall, page 438.
Footnote 51:
The author of the Guide to Mount’s Bay, recently published.
Footnote 52:
“As some men were lately sinking an air hole to the bottom level of
the Consolidated Mines, when at the depth of 160 fathoms from the
surface, they struck into a cavern; the rush of foul air from which,
compelled them to call out to their companion stationed above, to
raise them by the tackle kept in readiness for that purpose. This vast
subterranean vault is situated in one of the principal lodes of the
mine; it is about nine feet high, and six feet wide; the western end
from the place of entry, has been explored, and is found to be about
40 fathoms in length; the foul air in the eastern end, has hitherto
prevented the miners from fully exploring it; the appearance of the
sides and roof is very craggy, and shews that the cavity has been
occasioned by a convulsion of nature.”
Footnote 53:
Beauties of England and Wales for Cornwall, page 485.
Footnote 54:
Beauties of England and Wales for Cornwall, p. 487.
Footnote 55:
Vide Beauties for Cornwall, page 488.
Footnote 56:
The author of the Guide to Mounts Bay, &c. recently published.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Index.
----------
A
Adder, Sea, a fish, 14
Angel Fish, ibid
Antoney, Village of, Church, Monuments, House, and Pictures, 27 and 161
Arwenack House, remarkable as the antient seat of the Killegrews, 50
B
Bake, an antient seat of the Moyles, 29
Blower, or Fin Fish, 13
Blowing Houses, near St. Austell, 38
Boconnoc House, a fine seat, 35
Bodmin, Town of, antient Buildings, Church, Font, Population, &c., 119
Boscawen-un, singular Pile of Stones at, 61
Bossiney, remarkable as one of the Boroughs, 81
Boscastle, a Fishing Village, curious Epitaph in the Church, 85
Botus Fleming, Church, and Tomb of a Crusader, 100
Botallack Mine, at St. Just, account of, 138
Bude, a bathing place, its Canal, &c., 88
C
Carhays, a seat, 40
Callington, Town of, Antient Buildings, &c., 96
Calstock, a Village, Church, &c., 98
Camborne, Town of, Church, Population, &c., 69
Camelford, Town of, Buildings, &c., 80
Carn’-bre, Castle, Rocks, &c., 71
Carnon Stream Works, account of, 137
Carnanton, a seat, 75
Carclew, seat of Sir William Lemon, Pictures, &c., 46
Castle-an-Dinas, an Antient Entrenchment, 76
Cattle, different Species of, bred in Cornwall, 10
Catchfrench, the seat of F. Glanville, Esq., 110
Charlestown, near St. Austell, 36
Cheese-Wring, 116
Church of Creed, 42
Clay Works, at St. Stephen’s, an account of, 136
Clowance, a fine seat, belonging to Sir J. St. Aubyn, 55
Coldrinnick, a seat, 111
Cornwall, derivation of its Name, Situation, Climate, Population, &c.,
1 to 3
Consolidated Mines, account of, 141
Cook’s Kitchen, a celebrated Copper Mine, 140
Copper, its discovery, Mines described, &c., 20
Cotehele House, a very antient building, 97
Copley, Sir J. S., seat of, 29
Crennis Copper Mine, account of, 135
Cross, Antient, at Callington, 97,
and Four-Hole Cross, 161
Cromlech, 116
Cuddenbeck, at St. Germains, noted as the seat of the Bishops, 110
D
Dolcoath, a noted Copper Mine, 140
E
Eels, Conger, very plentiful, 14
Egleshale, Church of, Carved Pulpit, Monuments, &c., 80
Eny’s House, 48
F
Falmouth, Town of, Buildings, fine Harbour, &c., 49
Fowey, Town of, Church, Monuments, Antient Buldings at, Harbour,
Population, &c., 30
Fonts, Antient, in Lostwithiel, 33;
St. Austell, 37;
Lanerwednack, 54;
Padstow, 78;
Kilkhampton, &c., 91
Foote, the Comedian, born at Truro, 46
G
Glynn House, a seat, 118
Gold, found in Cornwall, 22
Godolphin House, an antient building, 55
Grampus, a fish, 13
Grampound, till lately one of the Boroughs of Cornwall, present State,
42
H
Harewood House, 98
Hayle, Port of, Works, &c., 69
Heligan, a seat, 39
Helston, Town of, Church, Population, &c., 51
Herland Mines, some Account of, 144
Hills in Cornwall, 3
Historical Events, brief description of, 23
Huel Vor, a noted Tin Mine, 137
—— Unity ditto, for Copper, 142
—— Alfred, ditto, ibid
Husbandry, improvement in, noticed, 8
I J
Ince Castle, a seat on the banks of the Lynher, 106
Iron, found in great abundance in Cornwall, 22
—— Foundaries at Hayle, 146
John Dorys, a delicious fish, 14
K
Kilkhampton, village of, noted for the singular beauty of its Church,
Monuments, Font, &c., 89
——, the birth-place of the pious Hervey, 92
Knill, J. Esq., singular custom respecting his will, 69
Kynan’s Cove, a curious pile of Rocks at, 54
L
Ladock, a picturesque vale at, 43
Lakes in the County, the Loo particularly described, 5
Lands, Waste, enclosed, 9
Lanlivery, Tower of its Church noticed, 32
Lanhydrock House, an antient seat, Church, &c., 118
Landulph, Village of, singular Monument in the Church, Parsonage House,
&c., 99
Landrake, Church of, remarked for its high Tower, 106
Land’s End, singular Promontory, Light-House, &c., 62
Lanherne, Nunnery of, at the village of Mawgan, 74
Landewednack Church, near the Lizard, Antient Font at, 54
Launceston, Town of, Antient Castle, Church, Public Buildings,
Population, &c., 93
Lead Mines, not very abundant, 21
Liskeard, Town of, Church, Population, &c., 112
Lizard Point, Rocks at, very curious, 53, 54
Looe, East and West, Town of, Bridge, Population, &c., 29
Loo Pool, a Lake near Helston, 53
Lostwithiel, Town of, Church, Antient Font, Exchequer Hall, Population,
&c., 32
M
Mackarel, very plentiful in Cornwall, 14
Marazion or Market Jew, its pleasant Situation, &c., 56
Martin, Dr. William, Monument of, 100
Mawgan, Village of, highly rural, Antient Church, Cross, &c., 74
Menabilly, a fine seat belonging to W. Rashleigh, Esq., noted for its
collection of Minerals, 32 and 147
Menacuddle, Ruin at, 38
Menheniot, Village of, Church, Old Buildings, &c., 111
Metals, various sorts, found in Cornwall, 22
Mevagissey, remarkable as a Fishing Town, Church, Monument of Otwell
Hill, Population, &c., 39
Mineralogical Substances, described, 7
Mines in Cornwall, the mode of working them described, 19
Moditonham, the seat of Charles Carpenter, Esq., 100
Mount Edgecumbe, a fine seat, 27
Mousehole, Village of, remarkable as the birth-place of Old Dolly
Penkeath, 60
Mullets, very plentiful, 14
Mullion, a Fishing Cove, near the Lizard, 54
Maylor, the Church of, a picturesque building, Monuments, &c., 51
N
Nanswhyden House, ruins of, 74
Newport Church, 93
Newlyn, Village of, 60
P
Padstow, Town of, Harbour, Church, Antient Buildings, Population, &c.,
77
Pelynt Church, Antient Monument in, 29
Pencarrow, seat of the late Sir A. Molesworth, 80
Pendarves, a Seat, 70
Pendennis Castle, 49
Pengersick Castle, 56
Penrice, the seat of J. S. Sawle, Esq., 38
Penrose, seat of S. Rogers, Esq. near Helston, 53
Penryn, an Antient Town, Church of St. Gluvias, Monuments, Population,
&c., 47
Pentillic Castle, the seat of J. T. Coryton, Esq., 99
Penzance, remarked as a beautiful Town, healthy climate, &c., 59
Perrow Porth, noted as a bathing place, 73
Pessick, village of, 44
PETHERICK, Little, Village, noted as being highly picturesque, 80
Pilchard Fisheries described, and mode of curing them, 12
Piranzabuloe, singular Amphitheatre at, 73
Place-House, Padstow, 79
Plymouth, scenery about, noticed, 25
Polruan, 31
Polredmouth, Grotto at, 32
Pool, Menheniot, an antient seat of the Trelawney’s, 111
Potatoes, the soil of Cornwall, favourable for the growth of, 9
Polgooth Tin Mine, account of, 131
Poldice, Mine of, 142
Porthmear, or Charlestown, 36
Prideaux Place, ibid
Probus, Village of, noted for its fine Church, 43
R
Redruth, Town of, Church, Population, &c., 72
Restormel Castle, House, &c., 34
Rialton Priory, account of, 73
Rivers in Cornwall, 4
Roche Rocks, a great natural curiosity, 127
Ruan Lanyhorne, a village remarkable as the residence of the Rev. J.
Whitaker, 41
S
Saltash, Town of, Church, Population, &c., 100
Saltram, Seat of Earl Morley, with its fine Pictures, 25
Scorrier House, a seat remarkable for its fine collection of minerals,
72
Shark, the blue species, caught off the Coast of Cornwall, 14
Scilly Islands, concise description of, 151 to 160
Sheviock Church and Monuments, 28
Shillingham, ruins of an antient Chapel, 105
Silver, discovery of, 22
Slate, Delabole, the most celebrated Quarry for, 7 and 80
Smelting House near Truro, noticed, 46
Soap Rocks, at the Lizard, 54
Soils described, 5
St. Blazey, Village of, Festival of St. Blaze, Church, &c., 36 to 37
St. Austell, Town, fine Church, Population, &c., 36
St. Michael Penkervil Church, a picturesque edifice, 44
St. Mawe’s Castle, 50
St. Mawgan Church, an antient Tomb in, 55
St. Michael’s Mount, brief description of, 57
St. Neot’s, Village of, noted for the beauty of its Church, Painted
Glass Windows, &c., 116
St. Bennett’s, remains of a Priory, 127
St. Burian, an antient place, College, Church, and antient Cross, 61