The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-16

The statement that the old silver
mines at Combe Martin. North Devon,
We're to be reopened after lying idle
for many years has reused keen in
terest in the county and revives an
Client history
In the days of Queen Bess, Devon
produced men whose deeds made brave
reading, and names like Westward Hol
and Bideford can still provoke a thrill
in the imaginative who have listened
to traditions and the fine stories of
doughty adventurers who hailed there
from. While the county produced flesh
and blood to fight England's battles,
the Devon earth yielded metal to
finance them.
And then, in the cycle of things, the
mines fell into desuetude, even as the
warlike nature of the Devon men was
transformed in the general peace. The
plowshare ousted the sword, the de-
scendants of adventurers became mild
and placid yeomen and the county lost
a repute for fighters, and gained one
FOR farmers. Today, to the majority,
Devonshire cream is a reality. and Dew
onshire silver little more than a myth.
says the London Express.
Meantime the silver has lain patient
ly awaiting men who would seek and
Finland the moment would seem to
have come. Again, in the cycle of
things, the county is to have another
chance, maybe. of financing the wars
of the future; and Combe Martin sees
a prospect of enjoying it's old-time i'm
portance.
The small town. or large village, lies
midway between ilfracombe- be-"the
Blackpool of the west'--and Lynton-
the Switzerland of England" It faces
the Bristol channel with the coast of
South Wales lying like smudge on the
horizon, and is backed by great roll
of pastoral country, hills and wales,
moorland and forest
| one street, over a mile in length, de-
fines the place, comprising antequated
cottages that jostle modern villas, and
quaint inns juxtaposed to up-to-date
shops. Central between the harbor and
the open country is the church, with its
King Charles relics and curious cary
ings, gargoyles. screens and paint
| ings.
Was Originally Called Martinscombe
| The village was originally called
Martinscombe. name derived from
one Martin de Tours. a Norman baron
who, during the reign of Henry I, held
most of the land in the place, and
appears TO have been as proud OF him.
self as he was ambitious for his estates
His influence was great in high quar-
| ters, and his spirit indefatigable. 30
that, after long endeavor, he secured
the rights of borough for Combe
Martin.
Though its ancient Importance is
gone, and save for it's farming, its
fishing, and it's summer-tide of tourists
and visitors, Combe Martin is--or was
quiet and unheeded. 1t still retains its
town hall. a barn-lil1e structure, bear
ing the letters Town Hall in thick black
paint on the gable to inform the un-
| sophisticated
| In old country records there runs
the following: 'The natural commodities
are silver, formerly in great plenty
in the parish of Combe Martin, in the
reign of Edward j. but the mines lay
long neglected. and were re-entered up
on the reign of Elizabeth, by an artist
who presented cup made thereof to
| the Earl of Bath
The loving cup which is at present
used by the Lord Mayor of London is
made of silver from the same mines
having been given, in 1893 to Sir r.
Martin, the lord mayor at that time by
| one of the Bouchiers.
| There are statistics TO show that, in
the twenty-second year Of Edward rs