CORNWALL wooden belfry. Hals, the Cornish historian, was born here. Mertlier-Eiiiiy. (See St. Wendron.) Mevagissey (5^ m. S. of St. Austell) is said to be the Aberalva of Kingslcy's Two Tears Ago. It is a double dedication, to SS. Meven (or Mewan) and Issey. St. Mewan was a Welsh saint, who went to Brittany with St. Samson ; as for St. Issey, W. C. Borlase has ingeniously identified him with St. Teilo, but we may be fairly certain that Issey is the Irish St. Itha. Mevagissey has long been noted for its pilchard- fishery (see Fisheries), and more recently for its conversion of these pilchards into "sardines". It has shown greater enterprise than some of the Cornish fishing villages, and less conservatism ; for instance, it has abandoned the use of seine- fishing, and devoted itself to drift-nets. In this it is being rapidly followed by all the duchy's fishermen. It has also constructed a most useful new harbour. The place is quaint, interesting, and since its visitation of cholera, half a cen- tury since, has been clean and healthy. The church has a good Norm. font. Less than 2 miles distant is Heligan House, a mansion whose gardens contain much rare vegetation; while at Lanshadron was found the base of a cross, unique in bearing its inscription on this base. At Heligan is a beautiful old mill, dear to artists. St. Mewan (i m. W. of St. Austell) is a foundation of St. Mewan, disciple of St. Samson and friend of St. Austell. The church, with a curious tower, was restored by Mr. Street. 184
