The number of inhabitants, according to the late census, amounts to 2671, or an increase of 374 since the year 1811.
This town has long been noted for its remarkable Jubilee on the 8th of May, on which day it has been customary with the inhabitants for ages past, to cease from their labours, and participate in the rural pleasures of the peasantry. Yet many of the foolish customs on this occasion, have vanished before modern refinement, and even the genteelest classes engage in the pleasures of the day, when the greatest harmony usually prevails, and dancing with its consequent hilarity, is kept up until a very late hour.
The scenery about the Loo Pool is peculiarly fine and picturesque; it combines every characteristic excellence for forming a good picture, and affords many an interesting study for the landscape painter. The rocks start abruptly from the margin of the lake, and a fine hanging wood clothes the sides of the neighbouring hills. On the south, the prospect is only terminated by a narrow bank of sand, which appears almost to unite the sea with the lake: and indeed upon certain occasions, when the pool is so full of water as to endanger the submersion of property on the valley above, it has been found necessary to cut through this sandy partition, and allow the overplus water of the lake, to flow away into the main ocean. This indulgence, with the privilege of fishing for a peculiar and valuable species of trout, is readily granted, on application to the Lord of the Manor, John Rogers, Esq., of Penrose.[[18]]
On the western side of the Loo Pool, about two miles from Helston, is Penrose, the seat of John Rogers, Esq., which has been considerably improved, since it came into the possession of that gentleman.
A ride to the Lizard Point from Helston, a distance of 14 miles, will be highly gratifying to the lovers of romantic scenery, and which, to use the expression of a celebrated tourist, “is rarely to be surpassed in England.” The immense rocks which here rise in awful dignity to a very considerable height, resisting the mighty violence of the ocean, cannot fail to make a lasting impression on the minds of those who visit this interesting spot.
The first place of any note, at about the distance of six miles from Helston, is the little fishing village of Mullion. The tower of the Church forms a conspicuous feature in this part of the county.
Three miles from hence, is the celebrated Steatite or Soap Rocks,[[19]] which have been of great use to the china manufacturers.
Kynan’s Cove, situated within a mile of the Lizard Point, is highly deserving of notice, and is considered one of the most extraordinary spots on the coast. It is composed of huge rocks of immense height, partly projecting into the sea, and in one place so singularly formed, as to resemble an arched grotto.[[20]]
In Lanerwednack Church, almost adjoining the Lizard, is a curious antient Font.
The Lizard Point, is remarkable as being the spot from which all ships leaving the Channel, date their departure; and notwithstanding two Light-Houses have been built, as beacons to warn the mariner of the danger of steering too close to the shore, shipwrecks are not unfrequent, particularly among foreign vessels, whose commanders may be supposed to be unacquainted with the dangers of this part of the coast.[[21]]