226 



THE ANNUAL EXCURSION. 



the cliurcli in 1721. The Bishop of Truro, after examining the 

 relic, surmised that it was made merely to be carried at Bishop 

 Trelawny's funeral. The staff terminates in a crook. It is of 

 slender make, somewhat roughly carved in wood, with foliations, 

 and the whole is gilded. Various Trelawny memorials exist in 

 the church, and there are also quaint old tombs of Achym, 

 Buller, and others. Before leaving, a brief account was given 

 by the Eev. W. lago, of what is recorded of the history of 

 Lanreath and Pelynt, and allusion was made to the great camps 

 and other antiquities that lay in the vicinity of the route. 



Proceeding via the Barcelona Eoad, where Mr. Laughrin 

 joined the party, a drive along a steep hill-side subsequently 

 brought Polperro into view. Descending into the gorge, the 

 houses were found extending through the valley, and nestling in 

 the rocky gap leading to the sea. Plags, in honour of the visit, 

 had been hoisted, and were hung across the streets, as signs of 

 welcome, the inhabitants doing their utmost to receive their 

 guests in a becoming manner. 



Polperro, when not disturbed from its usual quiet, presents a 

 striking appearance of calm industry. Contrasting well with 

 the brown rocks and fishing nets, blue is the prevailing colour. 

 Not only does it pervade sea and sky, but the garb of the men 

 and boys is blue also — tho' of a deeper hue — for nearly all of 

 them are clad in jerseys. The women and girls stand at the 

 doors of their cottages, or in groups with their neighbours, 

 patiently knitting such garments. As they chat with each other 

 their quickly moving needles tick like watches, and their fingers 

 are stained with the dark-blue wool. But all such work seemed 

 to be laid aside for the time. The approaching line of expected 

 carriages through the narrow streets, had created an unwonted 

 sensation. Mr. and Mrs. Eickwood, of the "Ship" hotel, had 

 made ready the dinner, as requested, and soon found all their 

 energies taxed to satisfy their hungry guests. All the dining 

 apartments were quickly filled. In the principal room the Earl 

 of Mount Edgcumbe presided, supported on his right by the 

 Bishop. At the close of the repast the noble President made 

 some remarks suited to the occasion, and alluded to the fact that 

 even in such a secluded spot as Polperro, an eminent member of 

 the Royal Institution of Cornwall had attained to literary fame. 



