FOOTNOTES:
[1] It is said that this name is derived from the fact that John Carter, a brother of Harry Carter, and the most famous of the smugglers, lived there. He was nicknamed the "King of Prussia," and the house in which he lived is still known as the "King of Prussia's House." The origin of this nickname is explained by a story that when they were all boys together, they used to play at soldiers, and John would always claim to be the King of Prussia. Clearly an echo of the fame of Frederick the Great had reached these boys about the time of the Seven Years' War.
[2] 17 Geo. III. c. 7.
[3] See Lecky. History of Eighteenth Century, vol. iv. ch. xiv.
[4] Carlyle. French Revolution, bk. iii. ch. iv.
[5] Spelt "yest" in the manuscript throughout.
[6] "Called." The spelling is the dialect pronunciation.
[7] A small village about half a mile from Prussia Cove.
[8] Spelt "fever" in the manuscript. The Cornish people do not distinguish "v" and "w."
[9] "Bal" is a mine, tin or copper.
[10] This name is now lost.
[11] ? Folkestone, see p. [80].
[12] The sizes of all his vessels are given in old measurement. Before 1835 ships were measured by the following elaborate rule. Subtract three-fifths of the greatest breadth from the length of the keel, multiply this by the breadth, and the result by half of the breadth; divide the result so obtained by 94, and the answer is the size of the ship in tons (see 13 Geo. III. c. 26, § 74). They are now measured by the cubical contents. It is difficult to render these figures in modern measurement, but this sloop was probably about the size which would be now called 10 tons.
[13] About 18 tons in modern measurement.
[14] About 30 tons in modern measurement.
[15] Spelt "oughten" in the manuscript. Daughter is still pronounced "dafter" in West Cornwall.
[16] Conscience.
[17] "Felt," dialect pronunciation.
[18] "Carried," dialect pronunciation.
[19] About 60 tons in modern measurement.
[20] The treaty between France and the Americans was made on February 6, 1778.
[21] "Kept," dialect pronunciation.
[22] The "King of Prussia."
[24] About 50 tons in modern measurement.
[25] Newlyn, near Penzance.
[26] The collector of the Customs, presumably at Penzance.
[27] Spelt "feve" in the manuscript. Cf. note [8].
[28] About 45 tons in modern measurement.
[29] ? Cawsand near Plymouth.
[30] Burtons, a small tackle of two pulleys to be fastened anywhere at pleasure (Phillips' Dictionary, 1706). Now obsolete.
[31] Near Cuddan Point. It was built about 1775 by Mr. John Stackhouse, of Pendarves.
[32] It is said that the doctor who attended him at this time was always met on the road about a mile away by two men, who blindfolded him; and in this way he was brought to the Castle, and so led back to the road again. A precaution to prevent him from giving information as to Harry Carter's hiding place.
[33] Spelt "oughten" in the manuscript. See note [15].
[34] Glazier.
[35] Thomas Coke, LL.D.; he was ordained Bishop or Superintendent of the American Methodist Societies by John Wesley in 1784.
[36] This expression, which occurs several times in the following pages, is common in West Cornwall in the sense of "although."
[37] This is one of Dr. Watts' hymns. It was not included by John Wesley in the Hymn-book which he published in 1790.
[38] Francis Asbury. He was sent to America by John Wesley in 1771, and was elected Joint Superintendent with Dr. Coke at the Conference held at Baltimore in 1784. He was the only English preacher who remained in America during the War of Independence.
[39] This is one of the "Olney" hymns by Cowper and Newton.
[40] Spelt "worps" in the manuscript, which is dialect pronunciation. Cf. "sharps" for "shafts" (of a cart), and "vycicle" for "bycicle," which are both common.
[41] Spelt "feve" in the manuscript. Cf. note [8].
[42] Spelt "youmping" in the manuscript. Cf. "yest" for "just," note [5].
[43] ? "Bustle."
[44] Ordinances.
[45] "Carry"; dialect.
[46] 'Bedstead.' 'Stead' would be pronounced 'steed' in West Cornish dialect.
[47] "Further"; dialect.
[48] Spelt "laght" in the manuscript. Cf. note [8].
[49] The ordinary word for "a valley" in West Cornwall.
[50] A well; dialect pronunciation.
[51] Old measurement.
[52] I.e., in their reckoning as to the position of the vessel.
[53] ? Folkestone (see p. [4]).
[54] On the Fal.
[55] Near Prussia Cove.
[56] Intending; dialect.
[57] A small village about a mile from Prussia Cove.
[58] Lazarus.
[59] Spelt 'oughten' in the manuscript. See note [15].
[60] Referring to the Government reward for his capture.
[61] Cliffs; dialect.
[62] Actions.
[63] Spelt "oft" in the manuscript. See note [15].
[64] War was declared on the 1st February, 1793.
[65] Guillotine.
[66] Farthing; dialect.
[67] Carhaix.
[68] "Chair"; dialect.
[69] Guillotine.
[70] ? Carmelites.
[71] Meaning "by"; dialect.
[72] A common expression in West Cornwall. It is a forcible way of saying that his means were fully occupied.
[73] Meaning "unless"; dialect.
[74] Meaning "against"; dialect.
[75] Robespierre was executed on 28th July, 1794. Soon after his death the Convention decreed that "Prisoners and other persons under accusation should have a right to demand some 'Writ of accusation' and see clearly what they were accused of."—Carlyle: French Revolution, Book vii. ch. i. This decree was followed by the release of great numbers of "Suspect" and other prisoners.
[76] Meaning "by"; dialect.
[77] The Cornish people always measure weight in scores (20 lbs). The stone (14 lbs) is unknown.
[78] In West Cornwall every collection of houses is called a town. The village in which the parish church stands is called "Church town."
[79] He lived at Prussia Cove.
Transcriber's notes:
The following is a list of changes made to the original. The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one.
"from this it is evident," says Dr,
"from this it is evident," says Dr.
19, 1829, The last thirty years of his life
19, 1829. The last thirty years of his life
may prizes, manned and commanded chiefly
many prizes, manned and commanded chiefly
same part of the the town, went in company
same part of the town, went in company
so happy in all my life as I was at that time,
so happy in all my life as I was at that time.
in God my Saviour, To the end of this
in God my Saviour. To the end of this
must go with him, he would not be denied,
must go with him, he would not be denied.