Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, Second SeriesBottrell, William
General
Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, Second Series
Bottrell, William
Cornwall (England : County) -- Social life and customs; Legends -- England -- Cornwall (County)
Then a lawyer's clerk, who had just entered, remarked;—"Why,
old boy, you ought to make your will and keep it by ye
before sit down to eat beef again." "Why bless 'e so I have.[211]
I always keep my will in my pocket, and you shall see am ef
you mind to. I made 'n myself—no lawyers for me. Here a
es." Saying this he drew from his pocket a sheet of paper, and
gave it to the doctor, telling him he might keep it, if he had a
mind to see how to make a will. He intended to make another
the next Sunday, because he had more things to bequeath now
than when he made the testament, of which the following is a
faithful copy:—
"I'll make my will while I am well. I will bestow my riches.
I'll give to Ellek,[5] my eldest son, my best Coat, Jacket, and my
Breeches. As for my watch et es in pawn; else Elexander should
have that. Neckey shall have the courage Horse, and Jan the
little Sprat. Mary shall have the milking Cow, and Lystria
shall have the Heifer. Fillis shall have the flock of Sheep, and
wat can I do better? Old Polly shall have the Puss[6] of goold,
and that will most maintain her. Sally shall have the old brass
Pan, the Bucket, and the Strainer.
"Signed, sealed, and delivered, in the presence of
"Cousin Matthew Hollow,
"Uncle Philip Eddy, and
"John Quick, the Schoolmaster."
[212]
The Smugglers of Penrose.
Part the First.
In winter's tedious nights, sit by the fire
With good old folkes; and let them tell thee tales
Of woful ages, long ago betid.
King Richard II.
WHAT remains of the old mansion of Penrose, in
Sennen, stands on a low and lonely site at the
head of a narrow valley; through which a mill-brook
winds, with many abrupt turns, for about
three miles, thence to Penberth Cove. So late as
forty years ago, it was one of those antique, mysterious looking
buildings, which most persons regard with a degree of interest
that no modern structure inspires; the upper story only—with
its mullioned windows, pointed gables, and massive chimney-stacks—was
just seen over the ivey-covered walls of courts and
gardens that surrounded it.
There was, however, a certain gloomy air about the ruinous
walls and neglected gardens embowered in aged trees, which
might have conduced to such unaccountable stories of apparitions
and other unnatural occurrences, as were said to have taken place
there.
Some three or four centuries ago, it was the property and
residence of an ancient family of the same name; little more is
known of these old Penroses than what can be gathered from
wild traditions related by the winter's hearth. The following
among many others were often recounted by old folks of the
West.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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