MODERN LITERARY CHARACTERS OF CORNWALL. materials; but from the arrangements which have been made, these are by no means displayed to all that advantage of which they are susceptible. The excursions also which the author frequently takes into Devonshire, and the cumbersome notes which frequently ride on each other, are rather calculated to perplex than to amuse the reader. In addition to this, Mr. Polwhele has sometimes descended to trifling events, which, from their insignificance, were beneath the notice of his pen, and the dignity of his publication. But independently of these circumstances, his work evinces considerable industry, and displays an ample field of resources, over which he has ranged with sufficient care to enrich himself with its spoils. The language is perspicuous, easy, and expressive; frequently elegant, and sometimes sublime. In its various departments it possesses a high degree of merit; but many of its beauties are eclipsed by the shadows with which it is encumbered. "Nevertheless, the rank in which Mr. Polwhele stands the most distinguished, is undoubtedly that of a poet. Some account has already been given of his juvenile performances; and his subsequent labours sufficiently prove, that he possesses all that liveliness of imagination, fertility of invention, variety of literature, and command of language, which are necessary to cultivate the Muses with success. It must at the same time be allowed, that all his productions are not equally vigorous or elegant. His translations of Theocritus, Bion, and Moschus, ought certainly to be distinguished as among the best versions of the ancient poets in our language. Mr. Polwhele, in respect to these, has shewn as great poetic feeling and judgment as sound learning. The notes of which the second volume is composed, are appropriate, curious, and entertaining. Among his original performances, The English Orator' is the principal in point of magnitude; but like every extensive work, it possesses different degrees of merit. But by far the most fascinating of Mr. P.'s productions hitherto published, is that entitled The Influence of Local Attachment;' concerning which, as a descriptive and philosophical poem, there was but one opinion among the different periodical critics who pronounced judgment upon it."* It is much to be regretted, that any of Mr. Polwhele's poetical productions, on many parts of which this praise is justly bestowed, should contain expressions "Which angels must not hear, nor virgins tell.” It was not till the year 1795, that Mr. Polwhele revisited his native county, to take it as his permanent abode. To this he was directed by the late Bishop Buller, of Exeter, who, without any solicitation, presented him to the vicarage of Manaccan. VOL. I. * See Public Characters of 1802, 1803, p. 272. 5 H MODERN LITERARY CHARACTERS OF CORNWALL. In this place, filling the joint offices of an established minister, and a civil magistrate, he continued many years, until he removed to the parish of Kenwyn, where he now resides. Viewed as a divine, Mr. Polwhele has invariably manifested an attachment to the interests of the established church, without always displaying those principles of liberality, which might have been expected from a gentleman of his erudition, acquaintance with human nature, strong intellectual powers, variety of acquirements, and high literary character. Including his translations and his original productions, both in prose and verse, his works consist of thirty-two articles, in poetry, history, and theology. Several of these works are voluminous; and some among them have passed through various editions. Attached to literature from his early youth, the cultivation of letters has followed him thus far through life; and an accumulation of incidents has given maturity to habit. The Fate of Llewellyn, and the Genius of Carnbre, appeared while he was a schoolboy at Truro. While at Oxford four other pieces were published; and eight more of his principal works entered the world while he served the curacy of Kenton. During his residence at Manaccan, thirteen other pieces, small and large, came from the press; and the remaining articles have been published since his abode at Kenwyn. To the names already introduced, as forming the literary characters of Cornwall, many more might be added, in the various departments of opinion and composition. But in pursuing these through all their diversified minuteness, we should be led to notice trifles, which can neither give any new feature to the Cornish character, nor present a title to public regard. In the region of politics some pamphlets have made their appearance within these last few years. These have been written with much acuteness and ability, both in favour of a reform in parliament, and in opposition to all innovation. In this general ferment, and conflict of opinion, the names of Francis Gregor, Esq. of Trewarthenick, and of John Coleman Rashleigh, Esq. of Prideaux, will be long remembered by those who felt an interest in the issue of their debate. To these must be added the names of Mr. Thomas Flindell, a native of this county, and Mr. Edward Budd, long a resident in it. These gentlemen, the editors of two rival Cornish papers, continued to support the political principles they had respectively embraced. On the issue of this contest it is not the province of the historian to decide; nor is it in his power, even to state facts in favour of either party, that will not appear invidious to the other. His observations must therefore terminate on general ground, on which alone he can preserve that neutrality which is essential to his character. As editors of As editors of papers these gentlemen will appear again hereafter, in the parochial department of this work. CHAP. XIX. Health, Longevity, Customs, Manners, and General Character of the Cornish. SECTION I. Health, Longevity, Muscular Energy, Heroism, and scientific Dispositions. THERE are few counties in England, perhaps not one, in which the air is more salubrious, or more conducive to health, than that of Cornwall. Its happy effects being experienced by the population, become visible in the instances of longevity that this county rarely fails to afford. Mr. Carew, who lived in the reign of Elizabeth, observes, that eighty and ninety years of age was ordinary in every place; and among other instances, he mentions one Polzew, who died not long before he wrote, aged 130. A kinsman of his reached 112; one Beauchamp lived to 106; and one Prake of Talland died at the age of 110. In the register of the parish of Landewednack, the Rev. Thomas Cole, the minister, who was buried in the year 1683, is said to have been 120. Many other instances of a similar nature are recorded, both by Carew and Borlase. But what is still more extraordinary, is an instance given by the latter from the MSS. of Scawen; that in the year 1676, a woman in the parish of Gwithian, died at the advanced age of 164 years. It is to be regretted that no entry of this woman's age and burial has been made in the parish register. But she is well known by tradition among the inhabitants. Her name was Cheston Marchant; and she is said by her memorialists to have had a new set of teeth and new hair in her old age; from which, travellers who visited her from curiosity, frequently carried off a lock. She knew no language but the Cornish, and for many years prior to her death was confined to her bed. In more modern days, many instances of longevity have occurred. Mr. Polwhele has recorded the name of Henry Brenton, a weaver, who died in the reign of George I. aged 103; Mrs. Trevanion, who died at Bodmin, aged 107; Mr. Richardson, of Tregony, who died in 1770, aged 102; Mrs, Littleton, of Lanlivery, aged 101; a lady of Egloshayle, aged 112; Maurice Bingham, a fisherman of St. Just, who died in 1780, aged 116; Elizabeth Kempe, of Wendron, who died in 1791, aged 104; Catherine Freeman, who died in 1793, aged 118; John Roberts, of St. Keverne, aged 107; Priscilla Rouse, aged 101, and Edward Roberts, aged EXTRAORDINARY INSTANCES OF LONGEVITY IN CORNWALL. 102, both of the parish of Mañaccan, together with several others, whose ages respectively exceeded a century. But instances of this kind may be multiplied to an indefinite length, without proving the general longevity of the inhabitants of Cornwall. This principle has been fully ascertained in the calculations that have been lately made by the Rev. Mr. Trist of Veryan. From the census taken in 1810, it appears that the population of that parish amounted to 1220 persons. Mr. Trist, who had preserved the registers of his parish during a period of thirty years, found, on a retrospective estimate, that of the total population, including infants, the proportion of persons buried, within thirty years, whose age exceeded eighty, was one out of eight; and of those who exceeded ninety, the proportion was one out of fifty-three and half. This gentleman has subjoined in a note, that "it appears, from an opinion of Jonas Hanway, Esq. which he has quoted, the general average of those who attain the age of eighty, was one out of thirty-two ; while from the bills of mortality, in London, this average was one out of forty. Mr. Trist furthermore supposes, that the calculations which he has made from known facts, will furnish a fair estimate for the other parishes throughout Cornwall, lying on the southern coast. "The proportion of deaths," he observes, "to the sum total of the living, is less than has been recorded in any political computation whatever, being as one to ninety." To circumstances so favourable to human life, there can be no doubt, that the salubrity of the air, and the mildness of the climate, have in no small degree contributed. But with all these advantages, life may be wasted in prodigality and excess, unless care and circumspection accompany our progress through existence. These causes, which unitedly conspire to prolong our probationary state, are thus summed up by Dr. Fothergill :-" A temperate climate, moderate exercise, pure country air, and strict temperance, together with a prudent regulation of the passions, will prove the most efficacious means of protracting life to its utmost limits." Nor can it be said that the lives of the Cornish are spent in listlessness and inactivity. Few on the contrary are more active, more enterprising, or more persevering. To the muscular energies and personal appearance of the Cornish, Norden has paid the following compliment :-" The Cornish men are very strong, active, and for the most part personable men, of good constitution of body, and very valorous; which made Michal Cornubiensis their countryman, set them forth in this ostensive manner among other his laudatory verses. They live in this country very long, 80, 90, and some 100 and more years." Fuller in his Worthies of England, bears testimony to the same facts, and to others of a similar nature. He says, "The western Saxon kingdom was famed for the stoutness of active men, HIGH COMPLIMENT PAID TO CORNISH BRAVERY BY THE RENOWNED PRINCE ARTHUR. which some impute to the natural cause of their being hatched under the warm wings of a south-west wind. The Cornish are masters of the art of wrestling; so that if the Olympic games were now in fashion, they would come away with victory. Their hug is a cunning close with their fellow combatants, the fruits whereof are his fair fall, or foil at least." Were we to recur to fable, we shall find the writings of antiquity that have any reference to the Cornish, teeming with monstrous tales, and recording prodigies of valour, too monstrous to admit any belief. But Prince Arthur is said to have entertained so high an opinion of Cornish prowess, as always to place these chosen bands in the front of his army, and to have invariably found in their known character, a sure presage of his own victory. Alluding to these effects of their ferocious courage, independence, combination, and perseverance, the causes of which he indistinctly saw, Hauvillan, a poet who flourished near 500 years ago, thus describes the giants of Britain, and particularly those of Cornwall :— "Of Titan's monstrous race, Only some few disturb'd that happy place. Raw hides they wore for clothes, their drink was blood, Rocks were their dining-rooms, their prey their food. Their cup some hollow trunk, their bed a grove, Murder their sport, and rapes their only love. Their courage frenzy, strength their sole command, Their arms what fury offer'd to their hand. And when at last in brutish fight they died, Some spacious thicket a vast grave supplied. Of them thou Cornwall too wast plagued above the rest." Of heroic characters, and of their daring exploits, in more modern days, Carew has preserved a long memorial. And the succeeding generations, instead of disgracing their ancestors, have increased the demand which heroic deeds have on the plaudits of public fame. To the Arundells and Grenvilles we have been already introduced; and many other mighty names have accidentally passed before us in the course of our historical details. This list of Cornish heroes may now be extended to a length that is comparatively indefinite, by the many distinguished characters who have signalized themselves in naval and military exploits, during the last twenty years. Of many among them, and of their acts of daring intrepidity, both by sea and land, it would be easy to give in this place an honourable account. But were this to be done, as the names of many others must be omitted, the writer |