[134] I quote very fully from this article with little reluctance, because the writer is believed to be a gentleman who is not only master of the subject of which he treats, but who also enjoys peculiar facilities for elaborating it. 'I do not _count_ what I borrow, but I _weigh_ it,' said Montaigne in his essay on 'Books.' [135] He rebuilt the pier in 1726-27. In 1811 there were fifty-three houses on St. Michael's Mount, whereas before the year 1700 the place had so decayed that there was, it is said, only one cottage, and that inhabited by a poor widow. The present baronet has spared neither pains nor expense to enlarge and beautify the domestic buildings of the Mount, under the professional guidance of his relative, the well-known West-country architect, James Piers St. Aubyn; and Sir John has also much improved the causeway which gives access for foot-passengers at low tide. [136] It may be noted here that the family portraits are at present distributed between the Mount, Trevethoe near St. Ives, and Clowance; but the majority are at the latter place. [137] A well-known engraving of Rogers's portrait is familiar to the collector. [138] This lady was Catherine, the pretty daughter of Sir Nicholas Morice of Werrington. The country story runs that her fortune was £10,000, which was conveyed to Clowance in two huge wagons--the whole of the amount having been paid in half-crowns! [139] Writing to Dr. Borlase, in May, 1744, Sir John St. Aubyn mentions that 'I doubt your friend Mr. Pope can't last long. He sent to desire Lord Oxford and myself to dine with him t'other day, and I thought he would have dy'd then; he has a dropsie which has almost drowned him.' [140] Thos. Hogg's poem of 'St. Michael's Mount' was also appropriately dedicated to him. _TREVITHICK_, THE ENGINEER. 'I exult, Casting reserve away, exult to see An intellectual mastery exercised O'er the blind elements; a purpose given; A perseverance fed; almost a soul Imparted--to blind matter. I rejoice, Measuring the force of those gigantic powers, That, by the thinking mind have been compelled To serve the will of feeble-bodied Man.' WORDSWORTH'S '_Excursion_.' [Illustration: (beginning of chapter vignette.)] _TREVITHICK_, THE ENGINEER. 'Soon shall thy arm, unconquered Steam, afar Drag the slow barge and drive the rapid car.' DARWIN.