without dogmatically presuming to measure all the operations of Nature which are continually changing the surface of this globe. But that these cliffs have been raised above their ancient level, or that the level of the sea has been depressed, is open to the observation of all. Now the latter is much too visionary a notion to be entertained for a moment: and that the sea has encroached on the land by a rise of its level is contradicted by these sea-beaches being so much above the line of high-water mark. How then are we to account for this, and for that which both history and tradition avouch, the disappearance of a large tract of land called the Lionesse, but now covered by a large space of sea between the coast of Cornwall and the Scilly Islands? Worcestre, an ancient historian, avers that "the strait "now expanded into a sea of twenty-seven miles in width 'plunged into the sea many parish churches." Other writers have recounted the idle tales of fishermen who have pretended to see the walls of houses, and repeated various fictions too extravagant for the sober faith of historians. But the evidence collected from Worcestre, Solinus, and Strabo, proves an inundation, and a very extensive one, to be historically true. "The encroaching

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sea," says Carew, "hath ravined from Cornwall the "whole Countrie of Lionesse, and that such a Lionesse "there was, proofes are yet remaining." Dr. Borlase says, that "there existed formerly such a country as the

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Lionesse, stretching from the Land's End to Scilly "Isles, is much talked of in our parts." The most cursory observer, looking down from the heights of Sennen cliffs, can hardly fail to remark the appearance,

here and there, of little rocks, the tops of hills, still lifting their black heads above the surface of the waters, as they dash their white foam around them. He may ask, when did this wonderful event take place?—was it contemporaneous with the flood of Noah ?-was it previous to, or subsequent to that event?-what agency raised the sea-beach before mentioned ?-was it one only shock which caused these great commotions, or has it been the work of time, and a succession of similar causes operating at considerable intervals of time? All this he may be willing to know, but must remain without knowing with any degree of certainty.

Many of the old writers attribute these inundations to some unaccountable rise of the sea, without attempting to assign any cause.

The Saxon Chronicles mention two inundations. "On thissum geare A.D. MXIV. on Sce. Michaeles "mæsse-œphen com thet mycle sæ-flod geond wide "thisne eard & ærn swa up feor swa næfre æn ne dyde " & adrencte feela tuna, & mann-cynnes unarimædlice geteall;" which, literally translated, will run thus:In this year, 1014, on St. Michaelmas eve, came that great sea-flood spreading wide this earth, and running so up far so never one no did, and drowned many towns and mankind an innumerable number.

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This inundation is also noted by other ancient writers; and whatever might have been the cause and effects here, it was felt not only on other coasts of England, but along the shores of Normandy also.

The Saxon Chronicles mention another inundation in the year 1099. "This year also, on St. Martin mass

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VOLCANIC ACTION.

day (11th Nov.) sprang up so much the sea-flood, and

so mycle harm did as no man minded that it ever afore "did, and there was this ylke day a new moon." Borlase admits the authenticity of the facts, but differs as to the dates of their occurrence. He thought these inundations must have occurred before the conquest of Cornwall, by Athelstan, in 936, because they are not recorded by the monks of Scilly or of St. Michael; but the mere omission of its mention, or the possible loss of the record itself, cannot weigh in the balance against the positive written testimony of many credible historians who have recorded the facts, and some of them very circumstantially. Modern geologists, I believe, account for the raised beaches by supposing that they have been lifted by volcanic action. And that where the sea has overflown a large tract of land, it has not been from any rise of the sea's level; but that the same volcanic action, which has produced an uplifting of a beach in one place, has caused a subsidence of land in another; and where that has taken place near the sea, the waters have rushed in and filled up the vacuum: the sea always maintaining its original level.

But as it is neither my object, nor comes within the limits of my knowledge, to handle this profound subject, I will close these few observations with a reflection of one of the best of men, and a philosopher of almost unbounded knowledge, the late Dr. John Mc Culloch; he says, In reviewing what has passed we cannot help "being struck with the magnitude of the forces which "elevated the strata, with the enormous power which brought up from the bottom of the ocean our present

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"mountains, &c. The imagination is lost in reflecting 66 " on such forces, as it is on the power which projected "the Planetary bodies in their orbits. Yet this force "is proved by the facts: and though it were not, why "should it be doubted? That hand which spanned “the globe of the earth, and launched it into space, might surely move its parts. The unperceived in"fluence of an ancient atheistical philosophy is for ever shutting our eyes to the First Cause: we dwell on secondary causes till we forget that they are but the agents of Him who appointed and governs them, and "who governs them for His own ends." It will not be out of place to mention here that flints are frequently found loose on the surface of Carn Kenijack and on many other of the granite hills of this coast. I have found them from thence to Toll Pedn. This may surprise the geologist, as our hills are composed either of granite or slate only. But I have heard that fishermen state the existence of a bank of chalk and flint in Mount's Bay, not far distant from Penzance; and perhaps there may be other similar banks, now covered by the sea, from whence, probably, these flints have been brought: but when, and by whom, are points not so easily settled.

I would, however, offer a suggestion, without laying much stress on an idea, hastily conceived and but partially adopted, whether they may not have been brought there by the ancient Britons, for the purpose of forming out of them arrow heads, which some of the broken fragments much resemble.

This, at present, seems to me to be the most reasonable way of accounting for their presence on these hills.

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TOWN OF ST. JUST.

The town of St. Just has increased rapidly within the last ten years, and contains now about 2,000 inhabitants. On one side was a large space, covered with unsightly quarry pits, the receptacle of every sort of filth and dirt; on the other side was an uncultivated waste: both of which are now covered with streets. Though the houses are mostly small, and suitable to the accommodation of a miner's family, yet they are well built of granite with slated roofs, and in all the modern houses great neatness prevails. The catch pits of former times have nearly disappeared, and cleanlier habits prevailing, typhus is less frequent and less severe than in former ages. There is a triangular place about the centre of the town, where several good houses are built, from whence the principal streets diverge. In one angle stands the venerable church, grey with age. Opposite, is a wide street leading to a spacious and convenient market-house, lately built by James Trembath, Esq., of Sennen, the proprietor of the surrounding land, which on Saturdays, the market-day, is well supplied with butchers' meat and vegetables of all sorts. The shops are such as are usually found in most country towns. There is a daily post, and covered vans run to Penzance regularly three days a week. In Nancherrow Valley, beneath the town, is an iron foundry, recently erected by its enterprising proprietor Mr. Holman, where various castings and machinery required in mines are executed in a masterly manner. The thanks of the mining interests are due to Mr. Holman for the convenience which his establishment affords; as, before its erection, these supplies were drawn from Hayle, a