FALMOUTH AND TRURO 97 for literature ; and if we regret the extinction of the vernacular, it is not for any literary- treasures that remain embodied in it. But an event that took place at Penryn is the theme of something a little better than the Cornish interludes — namely, the " Penryn Tragedy," which inspired Lillo's play The Fatal CuHosity. It is said that a Penryn man who had left Cornwall in his early days and had become rich abroad, returned to his home just as a present-day miner might return from South Africa. He was re- cognised by his married sister, but, begging her keep the secret, he proceeded incognito to his parents' house and asked their hospitality for the night. Unhappily the old mother caught sight of the treasure that he had about his person, and she persuaded the father to kill the man in his sleep. Next morning the sister came to share in their joy at the wanderer's return, and asked for her brother. To their horror, the wicked old couple found that they had murdered their own son. They had grace enough to commit suicide after the discovery. The same tale seems to have been conveyed to Wales, where it is related of a parish in Montgomeryshire ; but a Welsh poem that tells the story rightly attributes it to Cornwall. And yet it is possible that the same event happened in Wales also ; a few years since the newspapers related an almost identical incident as having occurred in Russia. Perhaps the story really belongs to folk-lore, reappearing at times under a new guise and in a new locality. In the possession of the Penryn Corporation is a silver chalice, given by Lady Jane Killigrew " to the towne of Penmarin when they received mee
