The Wizard of West Penwith

g, a pretty little fishing-cove, in shape like a horse-shoe,-the two extreme points being formed by the projecting rocks on either side of the entrance,-the interior, or curved part, immediately under

ppointed batteries. Above this beach the cliffs rise gradually, and various zigzag footpaths are formed by t

miners and small farmers who occupy a few acres of land, and fill up their spare time by working

most part, run out under the sea; and although they are, consequently, very expensive

n of a metallic lode in the neighbourhood causes great excitement, and often leads to the expenditure of large

place that it is at present;-it could even then, however, boast of a tolerably comfor

t and enjoy a close proximity to the fire, while the others sat round outside the fireplace, having a small table before them, on which was placed the foaming eggy-hot, and the hot beer and sugar, made more potent by the addition of an unlimited quantity of brandy. The wind was howling dismally in the open chimney, and rattling the doors and windows, as if angry at being shut out. As the night advanced the storm seemed to increase; but the comforts of the bright fire and warm room, and the good cheer before them, made the party feel the more happy and exhilarated, from the reflection that they were shel

of the usual stamina and vigour generally displayed by men of his age, but from an eccentric habit he had contracted of affecting the old man,-for what reason was best known to himself. His habits and mode of life were very different from those of Cornishmen generally;-he had come into the neighbourhood some years before in a mysterious manner, but how he came, or where he came from, no one seemed to know. He had acquired somehow a good deal of useful knowledge, and therefore he had the power frequently of working upon the superstitious fears of his neighb

times, but what it was no one could tell. There he sat, as usual, on this tempes

the party, addr

our turn; now you tell es one of you

mine are true stories. The one I am about to relate happened in your own neighbourhood. Your superstitious fears will, perhaps,

audience, "out weth et,

apel above Cape Cornwall, called Chapel Carn Brea, and the li

chapel were haunted by evil spirits; so the little circle drew their seats nearer to the chimney, and instinctively looked round, as if

ame here to reside, I took my pickaxe and shovel, went up to the old ruins, and selected the largest mound and began my work with a hopeful mind, for I believed that I should be rewarded in the end by a rich booty. The earth on the top was soft and easy to work, but as I got down it became harder. I worked with a will for several hours, and got down several feet before the day began to

en working there;-the sight of an open grave in that spot would, I well knew, scare people away, even if anyone was bold enough to approach it during the day. A few hours' work more, I thought, would bri

nd could discern figures cut on it. Here, then, was the coffin, no doubt; and it doubtless contained the coveted treasures. I tried to raise the cover, but it baffled all my skill and strength;-I found that the pit would have to be made much larger, and even then it might require the united strength of two or three men to get the cover up. I was then in the grave, which was deep enough to hide me entirely from the view of anyone on the surface. While I was thus deliberating what I should do, I heard a loud shriek just above my head. I got up, with some difficult

that I did not like the trouble of going over my work

I might be able to raise the lid. I drove the point of my pick under the stone, and was about to raise it, when I hear

w a figure moving swiftly away,-but whether it was a man or a woman, or an imp of darkness, I could not tell, for my toe slipped out of the notch I had made for a footstep, and I fell headlong into the grave again; but,

ily supplying his guests with more liquor at intervals,

a tall, stout, well-built young man, who had been

f hot beer and sugar which the landlord had placed on the table;-"thee'st nevar knaw nothen. I'll tell 'ee, na, tes like as this here.

ued he, turning round to where that gentleman had been sitting a min

ike the snoff of

l tell a story till he do bring 'ee up to a point, an

se proper Christian name was 'Josiah,' "he do knaw bra' things. Why, he ha' got a gashly g'

me was Brown; "many people can tell ab

about them; and he tould 'ee, so you said, and you b'lieved every word he tould 'ee,-so don't you bark nor growl. His dafter, Miss Reeney, tould me la

g up in an excited manner; "don't you bring Miss Reeney

fine sometimes, and b'en to boarding-school, and all that, and do knaw bra' things, she ha' got nothin' to do weth her fe-a-thar's conjuring-room upstairs, I

ve in that house, you knaw," said the old ma

f," said Mrs. Brown, pursing up her li

aid Mr. Brown, laughi

own business;-what have you got to say

lrina (familiarly called Reeney) would have proceeded much further, it is difficult to say; for just at that moment a man, who had