Legends of Parishes, etc. 1 1 7 lead to a discovery. This ring, which she delivered to the minister, was by him given to James, Earl of Berkeley, at his particular request. Sir Cloudesley Shovel and himself having lived on the strictest footing of friendship." In the place and manner of his burial all traditions agree. Where he lay is still pointed out — a bare spot surrounded by green grass. And the Scillonian^ will tell you that, because he so obstinately refused to hear a warning, and wantonly threw away so many lives, God, to keep alive the memory of this great wickedness, permits nothing to grow on his grave. Another legend has it that the man who gave the warning escaped death, as the' storm suddenly arose whilst the Psalm was being read, before the order for his execution could be carried out, and that he was the only person on board the Association who was not drowned. When Lady Cloudesley Shovel heard of the wreck, she asked that a search might be made for her husband's body. A soldier showed a ring which he had in his possession, which was im- mediately recognised as Sir Cloudesley Shovel's. The body was dug up and identified by the marks of his wounds. The ring was forwarded to his wife, and she, in gratitude for the soldier's kindness in giving her husband a decent burial, rewarded him with a pension for life. Sir Cloudesley's body was embalmed, first taken to Plymouth by sea, where for some time it lay in state, and finally to London, where it was interred in Westminster Abbey. The abbey at Tresco, formerly under the jurisdiction of the monks of St. Nicholas* at Tavistock, has been already mentioned. The abbey house, built on its site, is the seat of Mr. Dorrien Smith (the Proprietor, as the Scillonians call him). The gardens that surround it are very beautiful, and famed for the tropical plants that here grow out of doors. There is an anecdote related of one of the inhabitants of Tresco, who, when asked what they did for firewood in a spot where no trees grew, answered, "We kindle
- " Old Monk " is a term of contempt in Cornwall, applied to old or young men. " I saw the
old monk coming down the garden" (a youth of twenty).
