The cabinet of John Williams, Esq. at Scorrier House, near Redruth, is unrivalled in its specimens of red oxide of copper in octohedrons, cubes, and capillary crystals; there are also some fine specimens of arseniate of copper in very perfect obtuse octohedrons; a mass of uranite, which for size and beauty surpasses any that has ever been found: blende in octohedrons and cubes, native and ruby silver, besides a very rare and highly valuable specimen of the muriate of horn silver and arseniate of lead in six-sided prisms.
Such strangers as are desirous of forming a collection of the several minerals which have been found in this county, cannot adopt a better plan than applying to the different dealers; they are, however, sometimes to be had of the miners. The most respectable dealers in minerals are, at St. Austell, Mr. Hennah, Bookseller; at Truro, Tregoning and Mudge; at Falmouth, Mr. Trathan; at Penzance, Mr. Jacobs; at Redruth, Mr. Bennett; at Gwenap, Mr. Michell; at St. Agnes, Mr. Argall; and the landlord of the Tamar Inn, Calstock; who was once a superintendant of some of the mines near St. Austell.
EXCURSION TO THE SCILLY ISLANDS.
Such travellers as may be desirous of making an excursion to these islands, will not only be much gratified by the voyage, but their health will be materially benefited by the congenial breezes of the ocean, and the mild temperature of the atmosphere, which is so peculiar to this part of the coast. The beauty also of the several marine prospects which such an excursion presents to notice, cannot fail to excite the most lively emotions: yet who can enjoy it, without reflecting on the many dreadful shipwrecks which have occurred off the Scilly Islands; especially the melancholy fate of Sir Cloudesly Shovel and his brave companions. Owing, however, to the erection of light-houses, and other salutary measures, such disasters have not been so frequent as formerly. The difficulty of navigating the passage round the Land’s End, is nevertheless very great, and, in many instances, attended with much danger.
The contiguity of these islands to the county of Cornwall, renders it necessary that some little notice of them should be given in the present work. From the Land’s End they are distant about nine leagues, and on a clear day are distinctly visible; but from Penzance, from whence the packet sails every Friday, the distance is fourteen leagues. With a fair wind the voyage is generally accomplished in six hours; but on some occasions has lasted two days.
According to the most eminent historians, these islands were originally denominated the Cassiterides, or Tin Isles, and their number not to have exceeded ten; but their original appearance has been greatly altered, either by the violence of the sea, or some other convulsive effort of nature. At present their number amounts to one hundred and forty, although the following only appear to be inhabited; viz. St. Mary’s, St. Agnes, St. Martin’s, Trescow, Bryher, and Sampson. The population of the whole of them, (more than half of which reside in St. Mary’s,) does not exceed 2000.
St. Mary’s is the largest and most cultivated, possessing three towns, a pier, a garrison, custom-house, &c. The length of this island is about two miles and a half; and its circumference is about 10 miles. The prospects from some of the hills are extremely fine; and from their rocky character and other local circumstances, present a very singular and interesting appearance. “The principal settlement is Heugh Town, so called from the neighbouring peninsula, on which, during the pilchard fishery, a man is stationed to watch the coming of the fish, and give notice of their approach by heughing to the boats below. On the summit of the peninsula is a small fort, erected in 1793, by Sir Francis Godolphin, and called Star Castle, from having eight points projecting like the rays of a star. In the centre is the governor’s house, having a foss between it and the outer rampart; where, at the salient angles, are four small apartments, designed for as many captains of the garrison. The lines are at some distance below the fort, nearly two miles in extent, and flanked by several strong batteries. Below them are the remains of an antient fort, that seems to have had a circular keep, like the castles of Trematon, Launceston, and Restormel. Nearer the water’s edge, on the western side of the peninsula, is the Heugh Town, which skirts the border of a sandy bay, with a good anchorage, and sufficiently spacious to contain 100 sail of shipping. The houses are chiefly low buildings, but were much improved under the late Earl of Godolphin, at whose expense the pier was erected about the year 1750. The other towns, which are called Old Town and Church Town, consist only of a few houses, and present little to excite curiosity.”[[53]]
At Porthelic Cove, on this island, the body of Sir Cloudesly Shovel was washed on shore, and not being recognized, was buried in the sands, but afterwards removed to Westminster Abbey, where there is a handsome monument to his memory. It is to be regretted, that although it was executed many years ago, when the art of sculpture had not arrived at much perfection, it has been so much defaced by idle and mischievous persons. When the fatal accident occurred, Sir Cloudesly was returning with his squadron from Toulon; and in a thick fog on the night of the 22nd October, 1707, his ship (the Association) struck on the Gilstone Rock, and sunk instantly, when every soul on board perished: the Eagle, Captain Hancock, experienced a similar fate, and the Romney and Fire-Brand were also lost, but their captains and 25 men were fortunately rescued from a watery grave.
The civil government of the Scilly Islands is chiefly managed by 12 of the most respectable inhabitants, who hold their meetings every month at Heugh Town, where they mostly settle differences or disputes by compromise: all criminal causes are referred to the military power.