The town of Penzance, "the Holy Headland," is the place of approach to the Land's End—a bold promontory standing out into the sea at the southwestern extremity of England. Its granite cliff-scenery is the finest in Cornwall. The tempest-scarred cliffs, the furious onset of the waves in stormy weather, and the gorgeous sunsets, so frequent at that point, invest Land's End with a deep and almost melancholy grandeur. It is said that Wesley stood upon this point when he wrote the hymn,
"Lo! on a narrow neck of land
'Twixt two unbounded seas I stand."
But the chief interest of Cornwall for our present purpose lies in the town of Camborne on the Cam, or "crooked river." It is one of the great mining centres, and has numerous rich mines, of which the principal is Dolcoath, one of the deepest and most ancient in Cornwall. It is a busy town, built mostly of stone, with nothing of note in the way of architecture. The plain parish church, with its three sharp gables, contains nothing of special interest. It stands in the midst of the churchyard, in which are found many monuments and inscriptions to attract the attention of those who love to recall the past. About three miles to the north is Tehidy, the seat of the Bassetts, with its fine park and gallery containing pictures by Gainsborough, Sir Joshua Reynolds, and Vandyke. In driving to the high bluffs on the north shore it is easy to visit Carn Brea, a rocky headland seven hundred feet above the sea, with picturesque granite blocks piled upon its summit. Here, it is said, was the chief scene of Druid worship; here was the sacrificial rock, in the hollows of which the victim was laid; and here were the granite basins hollowed out to receive his blood. The castle, of Norman origin, was built by Ralph De Pomeroy, and was occupied by a Bassett in the time of Edward IV. There are also here the remains of ancient British earthworks, and "hut circles," and a tall monument to Lord De Dunstanville of Tehidy, erected in 1836.
A point of great interest to us is that Mr. Samuel Davey, the inventor of the safety fuse for blasting and mining, was a native of Camborne, and had his residence there, as did also his partner in business, George Smith, LL.D. Mr. Smith was a man of high character, and great ability as a scholar and writer, and the author of many works of theology and biblical history. Among these are "The Hebrew People" and "The Gentile Nations," which have been accepted as text-books in some theological courses. The other member of the firm was Major John S. Bickford, a man of wealth and influence, and the title of the firm became "Bickford, Smith and Davey." The manufactory was located at Tuckingmill, a village a little distance from Camborne. The business, at first small, has grown and become very successful, and has branches in many parts of Europe and America. The original firm, as represented by its successors, still carries on the business in Tuckingmill.
One of the noteworthy features of the town life is the Saturday market-day. On this day are gathered the people from all the outlying country, with varied products of farm, garden and dairy, as well as wares of all kinds, which are offered for sale in the great market-house of the town.
"Camborne Feast" is a harvest festival answering to our Thanksgiving. It occurs on November 13.
BIRTHPLACE OF JOSEPH TOY
In the little hamlet of Roskear, an outlying village of Camborne, my father, Joseph Toy, was born. The long, low stone cottage, with small windows and overhanging roof, still stands. A narrow drive runs in from the village street, and a low stone wall separates it from the plain yard in front adorned with here and there a shrub or climbing vine. The house is little changed since the large family of children were sheltered under its eaves and played about the yard, and the dear mother spread the simple food on the white table, and sanded the well-scoured floor. My father was born in April, 1808. He was the son of Robert and Ann Hosking Toy. He was the youngest of eight children: John, Robert, Nicholas, William, James, Joseph, and his sisters Mary Ann (Mrs. Sims), and Nanny (Mrs. Granville). His parents were honest, God-fearing people, training their children to a life of industry and integrity, and early leading them into the ways of piety and obedience. Joseph, being a bright, attractive child, and possessing an affectionate nature, was very naturally the pet and darling of the family. While he was quite young his father died suddenly, and as the elder children were mostly married, the home was broken up, and he, with his widowed mother, was received into the family of his brother John, a man of much energy and ability, who afterwards became captain of the West Seaton mine. In a few years his mother, too, entered into rest, leaving her beloved Joseph to the care of his elder brother, and well did that brother and his estimable wife fulfill their trust. The home was full of love and sunshine, and the most tender affection was lavished upon the young brother. My uncle scarcely ever came home without the inquiry, "Where is the dear boy?"
Mrs. Jane Gilbert, my Uncle John's youngest daughter, writes thus of the family. "Their father died when Joseph was a lad, but he was always a great pet with his brothers. I have heard my father tell how when he was going courting Joseph had cried to go with him, and he has taken him many a time. Their mother died when your father was young, and he came to him at our house and continued to live with us until his marriage. So my sisters looked upon him more as a brother than an uncle. I can remember that when the letter came to father announcing your dear mother's death, he wept aloud and said, 'Poor little Joe!' Their mother's maiden name was Ann Davey, and she was born at Nans Nuke Illogan. She was a grand old Christian, a splendid character and handsome. I have always heard her children speak of her with reverence and love. Our grandfather's mother's name was Andrews, and she was born in the parish of Newlyn East."