Stories and Legends (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1852. Excerpt: ... Dear Reader, if ever you 've studied geography, Chronology, history, or what's styled cosmography, You doubtless have heard that in England there lies A country where copper and tin meet the eyes, Called Cornwall; why called so I really can't tell, For No-corn-land surely would do just as well: As, when 't was first called so, the deuce of a grain Of barley or wheat grew on hill, vale or plain. Now, the south and west farmers oft boast of their crops, And some folks proposed once the growing of hops; But there 's still no mistake in the north coast being bare, And that's all I care for -- my story lies there. Now on this north coast is a place called St. Agnes (The way to pronounce it is rhyming with ' pans "), And the people there, As oft happens elsewhere, Have n't always their notions of morals quite clear; In days gone by it is said they were worse, And would twist your neck to untwist your -purse: In fact, they had very loose notions indeed, And were going to a queer place at railway speed. Their very prayers Were queer affairs, For instead of praying, as they ought to do, For the safety of sailors who trod the deck, When they bent the head At the side of the bed, 'Twas to send them ere morning a wealthy wreck. I 'm inclined to dissent from those who proclaim That the Cornish people were all the same, That they all were wreckers and cut-throat dogs, And treated drowned people as if they were logs, Chopping off a toe, Or an arm, or so, Without asking if the owners were willing or no; That 'twas some people's practice, I don't deny, But that every one did so is "all my eye." That the folks even now will not " cabbage " a stray Cask of spirit, or what else might come in their way, Is n't what I would n't attempt for my life to assert; Indeed, almost every one knows it a certAin fa...