The morning call., 1891-05-24
AN ANCIENT CORNISH
TOWN And CUSTOMS.
A DGCayGi but Picturesque Borough in
Cornwall, England.
Emblems Of Municipal Power-The Kace and
Oar -Electing Mayor-Quaint Gus
toms Native Hospitality.

One of the most picturesque sights to the
tourist is that of the town of Lostwithiel
and its neighborhood. situated about mid
way in the county and six miles from the
ancient port of Fowey. Lostwithiel is one
of the Oldest towns in England and its rec
ord occupies a prominent place in an old
history of Cornwall and also in documents
in possession of the town authorities. 1t
was at one time the capital town. Judges
held assiZe in the old Summaries Hall, which
is in wonderful state of preservation, and
two Members of Parliament were returned
for the borough before the great Reform
Bill was passed. Its first charter dates back
to the twelfth century. The Mount Edge
combe family resided in the town many
years ago and built the Guildhall, also
grammar school, and gave it to the munich
pal authorities. TIE present Earl of Mount
Edge combe is the Queens Lord High Stew
ard. Emblems Of the municipal power con-
sist of mace and oar, which are Of solid
silver and the property of the Mayor and
Council. As works of art they are of great
value They are borne In front of a newly
elected Mayor by two mace-bearers-one APP
pointed by the people, the other by the
MayOr-who are dressed in uniform. with
an abundance of gold lace. for the occasion,
when he attends the church i'll state, dressed
in his robes of Office, which consist of a cloak
handsomely trimmed with fur and three
cOrnered hat, attended by twelve Council.
l0rs The sight is very imposing.
VERY OLD AND AMUSING CUSTOM,
But lately abolished, was formerly observed
at all Mayoral elections. On the eve of
election six men, disguised in grotesque
garb, mounted wagon, which was drawn
by young men, and in this manner they
paraded the town. A halt was made at
every pubic-hOuse, and the jOyial landlord
would be solemnly declared Mayer for the
ensuing year by the occupants OF the
wagon. A record of the deeds, whether
good or bad, which had been committed by
the inhabitants during the preceding year,
and which had been faithfully kept, was
loudly proclaimed with amusing comments
to a large eOncourSe of people. The new
Mayor, as an acknowledgment OF the great
honor done him, gave eopiOuS draughtS OF
fine old English ale to the wagon party and
its staff. The next publie-houSe was visited
and the same programme was gone through
with. If the jOval Bonifaee or newly
elected Mayor gave the orators of the wagon
steam beer or ships instead OF his best ale,
his position at the next election would not
be very dignified one, or. at any rate, be
would not be elected Mayor.
The town of LOstwithiel lies in valley,
and, as the tourist draws near. very pretty
scene opens TO view, with magnificent hills
on all sides Of the town. An old legend SAYS
that at one time the town was lost and was
afterward dug out from the hill, hence the
name Lostwithie.
The parish church of St Bartholomew at
tracts the tourist by its magnificent steeple,
100 feet in height one of the finest in En-
gland. The font is also well worthy OF ex-
animation on account of its age and the
quaint carvings on the sides. During the
civil War fba bOTSpS of tho PaFliamautarp
army were stabbed in the church and the
font was used for drinking trough, and
other dissertations were committed by the
soldiers OF Oliver Cromwell. One might say
that the soldiers were not Episcopalians.
The church has not long been restored, and
in course of restoration many relies were
discovered, which are carefully preserved
1t is said that cast of the martyr St. Bar
tholomew, undergoing the terrible torture
of being hayed alive, WAS found under the
floor of the church. The east window of
the church, one of the largest in Cornwall
has the crucifXon scene. beautifully illus
trated, and, seen from the inside, the mag
niticeHt coior5 of the window give to the
church beautiful appearance and reflect
great credit TO the wel-known church win
dow artists, Clayton Il Bell Of London.
THE FAMED REsToRMEL CASTLE
win be tile next place visited. aud there
treat awaits the tourist. A nober pile of
ruins cannot be found in the whole United
Kingdom on account of its wonderful pres
eryation. The Prince of Wales. who is also
Duke of Cornwall, is owner Of the castle
aud land.
Her Majesty, the Prince Consort and AL
bert Edward paid visit to the town aud
castle in 1877, and an enthusiastic Welcome
was given TO the royal visitors. The re-
n0wned Black Prince, the yanquisher of
King John Of France, held his court there,
and the tourist can well imagine that many
a revel was carried on within these stately
walls. The mOat is now an especial feature,
and from its excellent state of preservation
it is evident that but little harm could have
been done to those residing in the castle in
the days of the Black Prince. When the
drawbridge was raised, the depth OF the
mOat being from fifteen to twenty feet woe
betlde the ASSISTANTS who yentured t. attack
the gallant knights in their stronghold.
LanhydrGck Is the county residence of Lord
RObaTts, whose mansion and picture gallery,
gardens and grounds are but short walk
from the castle, and are open to all visitors.
Tourists are treated with generous hospital
ity in their travels through the country, a
characteristic of the Cornish people which
is pr0yerbial
BoCONNoE,
A few miles from LoStwithe, is the resi-
dence of Lady Forteseue, and is celebrated
rs having been the birthplace of William
Pitt, whose portrait still hangs in the
picture gallery. One of the fiercest battles
of the Civil War was fought here, and a
monument has been erected commemorating
the event. A visit should also be made to
the beautiful grounds of PelyD, the prop
erty of Nicholas Kendall. The Kendall
family is one of the most distinguished in
the county on account of its ancestry. which
can be traced unbroken back to the period
of William the Conqueror.
The tourist after enjoying his visit to
Lustwithiel and neighborhopd, should take
trip TO the ancient town and port of
Fowey by boat. He win be amply repaid
for his-visit by the beautiful scenery which
abounjs on each side of the river, and, ii a
good fisherman, will eaten a large quantity
of bass trout, etc., the river being well
stocked with fish, HIP.