634 REPOET— 1893. 



industries of the county, but this only required the attention of those 

 engaged during a short time of each year. This form of fishing has now 

 almost entirely disappeared. 



South of a line drawn across from the town of Helston to the raouth 

 of Helford River, the population of the Lizard peninsula is almost 

 entirely agricultural, and for many centuries has probably had little ad- 

 mixture from any outside source. The prevalence of certain names near 

 the Lizard point has suggested a strain of Spanish extraction. As in the 

 mining districts, emigration has of late years become general, and most of 

 the rising youth look forward to seeking wider fields in foreign lands. 

 During the last half-century each successive census shows a large dimi- 

 nution in the population. The inhabitants ai-e generally robust and, if 

 they escape pulmonary disease, long-lived. The proportion of tall, big 

 men is said to be large, and it is reported that the Meneage Rifle Corps, 

 "when standing shoulder to shoulder, occupies more space than an equal 

 number of men of any other corps in the kingdom. 



About the coast, fishing is carried on to a considerable extent, but 

 most of those engaged follow other pursuits at times when the weather 

 or season is not suitable for that industry. Formerly, when opportunity 

 ofiered, few of the people objected to a little contraband trading ; and 

 during the war it is said that this was winked at by the Government of 

 that day, as the pursuit was thought to be a good training for seamen for 

 the navy, to which, as well as to the army, the whole district furnished a 

 large contingent in proportion to the population. 



The extension of railways, yearly bringing an increasing number of 

 visitors into the district, cannot fail materially to modify the character of 

 the people. Generally they are intelligent and industrious, and have, 

 probably, throughout the prolonged agricultural depression, maintained 

 their ground as well as any agriculturists in the kingdom. The preva- 

 lence of Methodism has greatly modified their characteristics, a love of 

 reading and desire for information being encouraged and looked for, in 

 the young people especially, as they become identified with the society. 

 Mr. Connock mentions a representative instance of this in the case of the 

 late Mr. Samuel James, of St. Keverne. 



Oi original traditions and beliefs there are but the barest traces re- 

 maining, and these are vanishing. Among a few of the most ignorant a 

 sort of covert faith in charms and witchcraft lingers, which even they are 

 ashamed to acknowledge. Some years since a white witch and wizard 

 contrived to exact contributions from some dupes scattered about. 



Near Germoe ' Lane End ' (that is, the road leading from the main 

 road between Helston and Penzance to the church town of Germoe) once 

 lay beside the turnpike road three boulders or stones of about 1 cwt. each. 

 The place is locally called ' Tre-men-Keverne.' Tradition says that 

 St. Just once paid a visit to his brother saint at St. Keverne, and was 

 well received and entertained by him. St. Keverne, after the departure 

 of his visitor, discovered that his silver spoons and plate were missing. 

 Very angry at such ingratitude he started off in pursuit, picking up on 

 his way across Crowta Downs the three stones, which he placed in his 

 pocket to be ready for emergencies. The culprit being overtaken and the 

 booty recovered, the stones were dropped, but the principals parted in 

 anger. St. Just told St. Keverne that, although the people of his parish 

 should find mineral, there should never be a regular lode within the sound 

 of his church bells. 'As for you,' retorted St. Keverne, 'although the 



