A

SOUTH

WEST

VIEW

OF

HELSTON.

Dedicated by promifiers to the Worshitiful the Mayor
Corporations of the Borough of Wolstra

by

Helston

their Obedienthumble Servant;

and

Svant W Penaluna,

THE

HISTORY

OF

CORNWALL,

FROM THE EARLIEST RECORDS AND TRADITIONS, TO THE PRESENT TIME.

COMPILED BY

FORTESCUE HITCHINS, Esq.

AND EDITED BY

MR. SAMUEL DREW OF ST. AUSTELL.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

HELSTON:

PRNTED AND PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM PENALUNA ;

And Sold by Edwards, 53, Newgate-Street, London.

MDCCCXXIV.

DEDICATION

BY THE PUBLISHER.

TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY !

WHEN the history of this county, now presented to your Majesty for protection was first undertaken, the publisher, emboldened by that liberality which as Duke of Cornwall had ever distinguished your royal character, presumed to solicit the honor of placing it, by a dedication, under your Majesty's most gracious patronage. But great as his presumption was, in thus approaching so august a personage, he had the happiness to find that his application was not unsuccessful; and this consideration, under every subsequent discouragement, has been to him a source of consolation. He anticipated with secret delight the arrival of that day, when he should have an opportunity of announcing the completion of his work, and of expressing an obligation which he cannot cancel, by making a public acknowledgment of your Majesty's sanction and condescension.

While, however, these volumes were rapidly advancing in a progressive state, many difficulties occurred, and several serious obstacles presented themselves to the publisher, which he had neither penetration to foresee, nor power to prevent. These, in their combined effect, greatly retarded his labours, and for a considerable time nearly blasted all his hopes.

It was during this period of suspension and delay, that it pleased the Almighty to call your royal and venerable father, his late Majesty, "like a shock of corn fully ripe," from an earthly crown to a heavenly inheritance, placing the sceptre of these kingdoms in your Majesty's hands, and the diadem, which its late wearer had rendered additionally illustrious by his virtues, on your royal head.

Since these mutations have taken place, this work has been resumed; and having reached its anticipated conclusion agreeably to the original proposals, the period has arrived in which the publisher enjoys not only the full consummation of his early wishes, but the additional pleasure of presenting his volumes to a monarch, not more revered among foreign nations for the extent of his power, and admired for