Page:Cornwall (Salmon).djvu/211

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MANACLES— MARAZION superstitious dread of rescuing drowning persons. Marazion (3J m. E. of Penzance) can boast an earlier importance than its greater neighbour, and may perhaps have been a mart of early trade between Britain and Eastern merchants. The name proves an ancient reputation as a market-town; both Marazion and the alterna- tive Market-Jew mean " markets ". The two words represent the Cornish tongue of different periods. Margha meant " market," with iou for the plural ; easily converted into Marka-jew. Mitras also means "market," with ioti for the plural, making Marazion. Neither name, though tempting morsels to those who try to prove that all Britons are Israelites, has really any connection with Jews ; though this does not disprove the fact that there were many Jews in this part of Cornwall. Added to its early consequence as a port, Marazion derived benefit from its connection with the Priory of St. Michael's Mount. The town was made a borough, but lost its privileges owing to the troubles of the religious rebellion in the time of Edward VI. It had already been plundered by the French, and never seems to have re- covered from these blows. At the present moment it enjoys a quiet and respectable pros- perity, from the beauty of its own situation and the interest of the neighbourhood. The buildings are really good, though chiefly modern ; and the place does not suffer from the fishiness of Newlyn or St. Ives. Marazion was formerly M 177