RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES IN CORNWALL. 255 



an ancient chapel, within its original enclosure, may still be 

 seen ; it is called Parc-an-Chapel, the Chapel field ; it was 

 known as St. Helen's Oratory. In a water course, near the 

 ruins, a small stone cross was found ; supposed to have been the 

 gable cross attached to this structure ; it bears the monogram of 

 Christ frequently used by early Christians as well as in Mediaeval 

 times." — This last stone, after being removed to the chancel* of 

 St. Just Church, was, we are told, thrown down a well, where it 

 now is. 



Yet, notwithstanding the memorial of the reign of a 

 Christian Emperor, and many evidences of early Christianity 

 having made its way in West Cornwall, remains of heathen rites 

 still exist. 



Besides the libation-bowl dedicated to Mars, ceremonies 

 survive which have probably been practised ever since their 

 introduction by heathen Romans. The Solstices are still celebrated 

 (nearly enough as to date) by the kindling of midsummer bon- 

 fires, &c, at Penzance, and by the revels of winter mummers. 

 Also we find, not far off, at Helston, the Floralia still observed 

 with considerable assiduity. 



Christianity having been unable at once to break down 

 existing popular customs, diverted many of them to a new 

 purpose, perhaps slightly changing the day. Thus we find now 

 the festival of the Summer Solstice at Penzance changed, from 

 June 21st, to June 23rd, the eve of St. John the Baptist. That 

 of the Winter Solstice, from December 21st, to December 25th, 

 for Christmas, and the Floralia at Helston from a few preceeding 

 days,f to May 8th, the apparition of St. Michael the Archangel. 

 By what is called canting or punning Heraldry the head of St. 

 John the Baptist in the charger, was granted as an official badge 

 to Pen-Sans (Saint's head) or Penzance (which is capable of a 

 very different derivation) ; and St. Michael appears in the official 

 cognizance of Helston. Thus then with fires, flowers, dances, 

 &c, are the heathen festivals still maintained, in slightly 

 altered form and with a changed purpose. "The Winter 



* Buller's St. Just, p. 45. 



fFloralia, in honor of Flora or Chloris, celebrated April 28th to May 2nd, 

 with much merriment. 



