The Piskey-Purse
‘Elves, Urchens, Goblins all, andLittle Fairyes.’
Wells Gardner, Darton & Co., Ltd.
3, Paternoster Buildings, E.C.
And 44, Victoria Street, Westminster
Introduction
The tales given in this small volume, with oneexception, are from North Cornwall, where I have always lived.
The scene of ‘The Piskey-Purse’ is from Polzeath Bay (inmaps called Hayle Bay, which is not its local name), in St.Minver parish. This charming spot was once much frequented by thePiskeys and other fairy folk, and many a quaint story used to be toldabout them by the old people of that place, which some of us stillremember. The spot most favoured by the Piskeys for dancing was PentireGlaze cliffs, where, alas! half a dozen lodging-houses now stand. Butthe marks of fairy feet are not, they say, all obliterated, and therings where Piskeys danced may yet be seen on the great headland ofPentire, and tiny paths called ‘Piskey Walks’ are stillthere on the edge of some of the cliffs.
‘The Magic Pail’ is a West Cornwall story, the[x]scene of which is laid on a moorland betweenCarn Kenidzhek (the Hooting C