[51] This ancient monument is faithfully depicted in the frontispiece of the present work; but we are in candour bound to acknowledge that, in the introduction of Saint Michael's Mount, the artist has availed himself of the "quidlibet audendi" so universally conceded to Painters and Poets; in reality, an intervening eminence obstructs the view of the Mount from this spot, and he has therefore, upon the present occasion, just taken the liberty to remove this barrier to our vision. If the Geological tourist condemn this harmless deviation from truth, we shall recriminate by reminding him that even Geologists have sometimes appropriated to themselves an indulgence which Horace extended only to the votaries of the Muses, and have not hesitated to overlook the existence of a mountain where it stood in the way of a favourite theory.
[52] Before the beginning of the seventh century we are informed by Strutt that it was held unlawful to bury the dead in the cities, and that there were no church-yards. Anglo-Saxon Æra, vol. 1. p. 69.
[53] There are several monumental inscriptions of the same kind to be seen in Cornwall, but none so ancient as Men Skryfa. In Barlowena bottom, for instance, as you pass from the church of Gulval to that of Madron, there is one which is now converted into a foot-bridge across a brook; if the antiquary examine the letters upon this stone, which he cannot conveniently do without getting under it, he will discover the corruptions alluded to in the text, viz. the I in Filius linked to the L.
[54] To the elaborate memoir, by Mr. Carne, published in the second volume of the Transactions of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall, and entitled "On the Mineral Productions, and the Geology of the Parish of Saint Just," we would especially direct the attention of the scientific traveller.
[55] The quantity of Copper procured in this way at Botallack, says Mr. Carne, is about a ton in a year. This chemical process is now practised in most of the mines in which the "Tin-stone" is mixed with Copper ore, as in Dolcoath, Cook's Kitchen, Chacewater, and in some parts of St. Agnes.
[56] The principal sub-marine mines on this part of the coast are Levant; Tolvaen; Huel Cock; and Huel Castle; Copper Mines; and Praze; Little Bounds; Riblose; Huel St. Just; Tin Mines; and Botallack Tin and Copper Mine.
[57] A miner of the name of James Wall, who resides in the village of Carnyorth, has generally a variety of these minerals for sale.
[58] "Crown Engine," so named from its vicinity to three rocks called the "Three Crowns."
It was our intention to have presented the reader with an engraving of this extraordinary scene, and indeed measures had been taken for its accomplishment, when we were induced to abandon the design on learning that a lithographic print had been published by a meritorious and self-taught artist at Penzance, the sale of which we were anxious not to diminish.
[59] This apparatus is termed "The Shammel Whim."