14
CORNISH FOLK-LORE.
By Miss M. A. Courtney.
EVERY stream in Cornwall however small is called a river (pronounced revvur). One flows into the sea west of Penzance, between it and Newlyn, known as Laregan, and another at the east in Gulval parish, as Ponsondane river. There is an old rhyme about them that runs thus:
"When Ponsondane calls to Laregan river,
There will be fine weather.
But we may look for rain
When Laregan calls to Ponsondane."
Years ago there was a marsh between Penzance and Newlyn, now covered by the sea, known to the old people as the "Clodgy"; when the sea moaned there they said, "Clodgy is calling for rain." Sometimes at the present day it is "Bucca" is calling, Bucca being the nickname in Penzance for the inhabitants of Newlyn.
"Penzance boys up in a tree,
Looking as wisht (weak, downcast) as wisht can be;
Newlyn 'Buccas,' strong as oak,
Knocking them down at every poke."
The weather at Mount's Bay is also foretold by the look of the Lizard land, which lies south:
"When the Lizard is clear, rain is near."
The marsh on Marazion Green still exists, and not many years ago no one cared to cross it after nightfall, especially on horseback, for at a certain spot close by the marsh a white lady was sure to arise from the ground, jump on the rider's saddle, and, like the "White Lady of Avenel," ride with him pillion-fashion as far as the Red river[1] that runs into the sea just below the smelting-works at Chyan-
- ↑ A small stream coloured by running through tin mining works.
