CORNISH
FEASTS AND FOLK-LORE.
[Contents]
[Contents]
PENZANCE:
BEARE AND SON, 21, MARKET PLACE.
1890.
BEARE AND SON, 21, MARKET PLACE.
1890.
[Contents]
BEARE AND SON, PRINTERS, PENZANCE.
[Contents]
PREFACE.
Few Cornish people are probably aware how wide-spreadstill with us is the belief in charms and charmers, ghosts, and allother superstitions; nor that there are witches in our county, shunnedand dreaded by some who fear their supposed power to ill-wish those whooffend them, and sought out by others who want by their aid to avertthe evil eye, or by their incantations to remove the spells alreadycast on them and their cattle by an ill-wisher who has“overlooked” them.
Folk-lore is an almost inexhaustible subject. There must be manycharms in use here that have not come under my notice; a few are toocoarse to record, as are some of the tales.
A book on folk-lore cannot in this century contain original matter;it must be compiled from various sources. I have when quoting fromother writers given my authority, and to communications from friendsgenerally appended their names. To “One and All” I begleave to tender my sincere thanks.
M. A. Courtney. [1]
[Contents]
CORNISH FEASTS AND “FEASTEN” CUSTOMS.
Cornwall hasalways been a county largely given to hospitality, and, as “allCornish gentlemen are cousins,” they have from time immemorialmade it a practice to meet at each other’s houses to celebratetheir feasts and saints’ days.
Since “there are more saints in Cornwall than there are inheaven,” these friendly gatherings must necessarily be verynumerous. Each parish has its own particular saint to which its churchis dedicated. The feasts held in their honour, probably dating from thefoundation of the churches, are kept on the nearest Sunday and Mondayto dedication day, called by the people “feasten
...