The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-10
One Of the most fascinating pleasures OF

~
49, arc zoe stones" and "cobnutthg'
Both are played wherever the spl,l' ~ ~
emulous battle overtakes these s,uruy ~
tie embryo miners and fishermen, anu
their pluck, persistency and perlina'i''
are unsurpassed.
L, "toe stones a diagram similar 10 the
one chsiked on deck for ship bliiiarus,
,,;tb q rounded end like that OF Dagateho
,,osrd IL drawn Ia the road, and the game
.orsists In kicking with the left foot, tne
LIT foo. being always held in the rlght
hand n round. fat stone from the APP
,,roacbino line from one space to another,
h,,t never over but one line, clear around
tho entire thirteen spaces and out again
,v,thout ever once having dropped the righD
foot The little fellows become WONDERFUL
IL expert in this difficult feat
"Cobnutting" Is an all-the-year-round
s,ort. Much of its zest comes from the
dangers in securing the nuts necessary Tor
the years supply. Common hazelnuts are
used. These are got at great risks from
the demesne copses and forest edges. Inc
nrizes. with the "shucks" still on, are
stored away In the attic and dried with
the greatest care, so that the nut fiber be-
comes hard and horny. The hazelnuts
ara allowed literally TO fall out OF their
sheaths. All the round, smooth, ripe,
shiny nuts are preserved sacredly for cob
nuttisg." 10 is often Cornish boys en-
tire winter employment and diversion to
prepare the cobnuts for the rest of the
years battle for superiority with his TEL
lows. The sport takes its name from the
"cob" or shell of the nut.
The cobnuts are prepared by boring
hole through each side Of the nut, remoy-
ing the kernel and filling the hollow shell
with lead or shoemaker's wax, the latter
being preferred. The shoemaker OF the
village Is consequently an almost revered
parsonage with all Cornish boys. n
''waxed end" drawn through the loaded
"cob" OF she'll, and held by a strong knot,
completes the cobnut, and you cannot hnd
a boy In all Cornwall who has not one
ready strung for contest and pocketfui
ready for stringing for reserve contingent
cies.
Ties are drawn for first "crack." The
loser throws his hat upon the ground ana
LAYS his cobnut in little hollow upon It's
top. Then the "cobber," or striker, hold
ing his cob between the ends Of the fingers
of his left hand and the end Of the attached
waxed end in his right, after many feints,
motions and sights" brings his cob with
almost the force Of bullet upon his OPP
ponsnt's. One or the other is seated" or
broken. 1t Is turn and turn about. Cen
orally one of the lads has his entire stock
Of reserve cohs destroyed.
Yesterday was "Taking Sunday" in this
parish, and q most interesting and an
Gent Cornish custom was observable IN
Clowance park, on the noted ST. Aubyn es-
tate. The park and gardens are open to
all on Taking Sunday" One of the glo-
ries Of the park is magnificent mall, bor-
derad With some Of the noblest beech trees
in all England.
On the afternoon Of the Sunday two
weeks before Mazard fair, which derives
its name from the Mazard cherry fair an
nually held at Praze in the latter part Of
June, when tons Of this luscious fruit are
disposed of by the farmers Of the sur
rounding country, thousands OF Cornish
youths and maidens may always be found
promenading in this Clowance park mall.
They sometimes come from a distance OF
ten and twenty miles. Cornish young
men resort here to choose their 'pairdners"
or company" for Mazard fair, and here
the blooming lasses come to be ''taken,"
that is, pledged for Mazard fair day.
Many an exultant or broken heart re-
turns home that night, successful in its
secretly cherished hope or singing from
bitter disappointment. But Mazard day
come. the lad walks miles for the girl he
has chosen on Taking Sunday" and to-
eether they tramp away 20 Praze. 1t Is
glorious thing 10 be chosen or taken" at
Clowance park, but her whole fate hangs
upon a parcel Of cookies and almonds at
Praze.
These constitute the "fairin" or pledge
of betrothal; and 10 is asserted that half Of
the women of Cornwall have been married
through this curious troth. If the maiden's
"pairdneF" buy her one pound Of ginger
cookies and half pound Of almonds, and
she accept the same the two are as sacred
" betrothed as though bans had been read
from the pulpit. The lucky maiden care
fully preserves the "fairinn and triumph.
antlv divides it with her relatives and
friends, in token Of her new relations 10,
and consequence in, her own curious little
world Of affairs.
A few weeks ago | ran down from Lon
don TO witness "Furryday" at Helston.
This festival, unquestionably having its
origin in the "Floralia" of the Romans, Is
annually celebrated throughout Cornwall
by little home and neighborhood parties,
and at Helston, from time immemorial, as
a festivity peculiar TO that place on the
sth day of May. Long before daylight
happy groups of lads and lasses start in
every direction for the country lanes and
hedges, singing:
For we were up as soon as any day, o,
And for 20 fetch the summer home,
The summer and the May, o.
For summer is a-come, q.
And winter Il a-gsne, o.
or dozen other ballads Of similar import,
the refrain Of which Is,
On the sth Of May
The Flora day,
We all set of advancing!
And indeed do they. At every farm.
house there are mad rushes Of these merry
makers TO be first 10 hang a twig OF
SLOANE" blossoms upon the latch, for such
for centuries have been entitled 10 pOr
ton of bread and cream. The blossoms OF
the sloane" kind Of cherry, are gathered
everywhere with all precious buds aud
blooms Of early summer. Garlanded with
these the floral troopers return TO Helston,
when the festivities Of the day really begin.
The old town is fairly imbedded in spring
blossoms and garlands. This completed,
oil classes Join in universal carnival OF
dancing. Every door in Helston is thrown
omen 40 the merry marauders. Arm In