where the same business of loading and unloading is continuing. Lime-kilns near, send up their visibly heated air, so dazzling to the eyes that gaze on it; and we gladly again avail ourselves of the wooded shades, to seek the prettily situated eminence to which Mrs. Bray has given celebrity under the name of Lady Stanning's rock. From New-Quay or Morwelham, we may procure a boat to proceed, if the tide serve, along the river to the Weirhead. We gladly trust ourselves to the smooth element, to be borne along under the bending groves of Harewood, and through the mimic forest of water lilies, whose gay flags and yellow flowers wave in the evening breeze. Morwel-rock rises crowned by its cluster of stunted oaks. * Nearer is the cleft summit of another eminence. Farther off, Chimney rock raises its spiral form wreathed with the leaves of the shining ivy. A winding path through the woods tells us of the delightful ramble which might be taken if we trusted to our feet instead of the lulling motion of our little bark. There is a delicious and balmy feeling in thus floating beneath an unclouded sky along the peaceful river. If we could so smooth down the ruffled waters of life, and glide with conscious pleasure over its small eddies, how should we all hasten to launch our freighted vessels on the tempting stream, and with prosperous gales sail onward to the vast ocean of eternity. But there are quicksands in our way, and storms and cataracts and the rush of a mighty whirlwind, that scatters the flowers of the soul in its * A curious anecdote is related of a certain fox which was hunted to the very edge of this precipice. The huntsmen were following close at its heels;-the dogs were opening their mouths to snatch the tempting prey; when behold,-Mr. Renard spreading his large brush as a parachute, took an aerial flight, and leapt into the soft waves of the Tamar-below. 749510 A reckless progress.-It matters not at this moment. Nature opens her maternal arms to protect us from the turmoils of the world; and soothe our wearied spirits by the sound of a thousand harmonies. The ripplings of the flowery Tamar keep up a continued lullaby,until the rush of falling water announces our approach to the far-famed Weir. Craggy rocks of the same character open upon us on one side of the picture; in the centre another wooded ridge forms a small island. The opposite bank presents a gentle ascent, in one part covered with orchards, and strawberry gardens, in the other wearing the bleak and desolate aspect, which always marks the working of a mine. We anchor our little bark by the fisherman's rustic cottage, where a plentiful tea can be easily procured. In the summer, we might ascend the hill as has often been done, and in the smallest thatched cot possible, partake of a treat of strawberries; whole acres of ground being devoted to the produce of this delicious fruit. After our rural meal, we sally forth to explore the neighborhood, and direct our steps to the Weir, which has been formed to make a canal, and also for the convenience of salmon fishing. Crossing the locks of the canal, we gain the small island upon which are spread the fishermen's nets hung upon poles to dry, and then proceed to admire the picturesque beauties of the Weir::-one part is covered with boards, under which the water rushes through an iron grating, emerging at the opposite end. In this box the fishes are sometimes caught, being unable to escape through the bars; "The entrance is large externally, but gradually contracts inwardly, so as to prevent the return of the fish after it has entered; though the internal orifice is not reduced so small as to render the retreat even of the largest fish impossible; but it is a curious fact that there is no instance of any that have once entered having quitted their confinement; which can only be accounted for by the natural propensity of the fish which directs them against the stream, and prevents their giving up any advantage they have gained." But the principal part of the salmon is taken by nets: I have seen men in the Tavy at night, setting their seine or drag-net in a deep pool; dogs are employed in conveying the rope across the water where it is not fordable. The whole scene by torch light is very animated. In the Tavy the fishing season commences in the middle or latter end of February; but on the Tamar not till several weeks afterwards; and closes in October or November. Salmon peal considered justly as a great delicacy is found both in the Tavy and Tamar. But to return to the Weir; the box to which we have alluded is covered with planks, and the smooth floor thus made, being twelve or fifteen feet square, has often invited to a dance, while the rocks around have echoed to "The Soldier's joy," or "Over the water to Charlie." We leave our rustic ball-room with regret, to saunter along the banks of the stream, towards Newbridge. Some striking rocks of a pyramidical shape attract our notice, and we again try the echo, which repeats with precision, one, two, or even three syllables. But we must proceed on our pleasant route. Newbridge is in sight, with its spreading arches and deep quiet stream. We pass a deserted house which was erected for the purpose of store-rooms for the above-mentioned canal. I know of no more unpleasing object in a picture than a red, square, desolate house like this. There are no ruins to break the dull uniformity; the tiles are all perfect; the shutters are all closed, not even one creaks on its hinges to break the appearance of heaviness and gloom. We must blot out such an object if we would make a sketch of the scene.-Newbridge recals two incidents of my early life which made a great impression upon my mind. The first is our meeting in this spot a remarkable hawker, who, together with his pedlar's wares, circulated tracts of a seditious character. He was well known in Devon and Cornwall as a suspected individual; and narrowly escaped imprisonment for his political libels. We saw him like "The Spy" in Cooper's novel, striding up the steep hill beyond Newbridge with his pad at his back; taking the most sequestered and unfrequented road into Cornwall. My other anecdote relates to a confirmed drunkard of the neighborhood, whom we met reeling from his usual libations at the public house. Being in a most cheery and obliging humor, he stopped our party, offering to do any thing in the world for any one of us, "and for your sake Parson," said he, to our escort, "I'll fling myself over this bridge at a moment's warning." With that he jumped on the parapet, and to our horror so far executed his purpose, that he was only saved from a fatal plunge by the strong arm of his friend "the parson," who seized his foot as he was disappearing, and dragged him up again. The sudden shock almost sobered the would-be suicide, who was so far conscious of his danger as ever after by the strongest expressions to show his gratitude to his preserver. After our walk from the Weir-head which is longer than would be supposed from the description given, we are glad to have recourse to our carriage, summoned from the Inn at Gunney's lake, to assist us in mounting the tiresome ascent of Newbridge hill, a weary mile in length. We pursue our way by the Callington road homewards.* * By proceeding towards Callington from Newbridge, the traveller is presented with some of the grandest scenes of this neighborhood: we refer to the windings of the Tamar as seen from Hingston, or Hengiston. Reference has been already made to this down, on which according to Hoveden's Latin Chronicle, a battle took place between the Danes and the Saxons in 806. Hengis-ton-dun signifies Hengist's fenced, fortified or camp town. In former ages it so abounded with tin, that it gave occasion to the following rhymes : |
