In these pits the miracle-plays in the old Cornish tongue were performed. Of these plays we have a few preserved, that have been printed by Professor Whitley Stokes. But the Cornish language ceased to be spoken, and after the Reformation religious plays ceased to be required. The people were learning the art of reading, and the press gave them the Bible, then these miracle-plays were replaced by low comedies, often very coarse in their humour, and spiced with many local allusions and personal jokes. This continued till Wesleyanism denounced stage-plays, and then these pits were devoted to revival-meetings and displays of hysterical religion. There were two Rounds near Penzance, Tolcarre, and one at Castle Horneck. Adjoining Penzance to the south is Newlyn, a fishing village formerly, now both a fishing village and a settlement of artists; for the advantage of the latter a good place of exhibition for their pictures has been provided by that generous-hearted son of Cornwall, who has done so much for his native county, Mr. Passmore Edwards. Newlyn takes its name probably from S. Newlyna, whose church, founded on her own land, is near Crantock and Newquay. The name means the White Cloud. She migrated to Brittany, embarking, it may be supposed, at this port in Guavas Bay. She is a Breton replica of S. Winefred, for she had her head cut off by an admiring chieftain, whose affection was changed into anger at her resistance. In Brittany she has a fine church at Pontivy Noyala. A cantique is sung there by the children, the first verse of which runs thus:-- “Deit, Créchénion, de gleuet Buhé caër Santes Noaluen, Ha disguet guet-he miret Hag hou fé hag non lézen,” which means, “Come, ye Christians, hearken all, and hear the tale of S. Noewlyn. From her example learn to keep your faith and your innocence.” S. Paul’s takes its name from a founder who was born in Glamorganshire, and was educated by S. Iltyd. He was schoolfellow with S. David, S. Samson, and Gildas. He is said to have gone to a King Mark, but whether this were the Mark, King of Cornwall of the romancers, the husband of the fair and frail Ysseult, we cannot be sure. He quarrelled with the king, and left him, because he was refused a bell in Mark’s possession, which he admired and asked for. He settled in Brittany, in Leon. [Illustration: LAND’S END] CHAPTER XIX. THE LAND’S END The Irish settlers in Penwith--Difference between Irish and Cornish languages--The Irish saints of Penwith--Other saints--Penzance--S. Ives--Restored brass--Wreck of Algerine pirates in 1760--Description of Penwith--The pilchard fishery--Song--Churches of the Land’s End--S. Burian--S. Paul’s and Dolly Pentreath--The Cornish language--Cornish dialect--Old churches and chapels--Madron--Prehistoric antiquities.