Page:Cornwall (Salmon).djvu/164

 CORNWALL that letter of thanks from King Charles which figures in so many Cornish churches. The pier was built by Smeaton in 1770, but was added to and strengthened in i 890. The main interest at St. Ives has always been its fisheries, of which from the earliest times the town has been jealously careful; it never was a naval port, though it had its share of troubles from pirates, Turks and foreign foes. There has always been a spirit of independence about it ; and at this day it invites visitors in no servile fashion, rely- ing on the natural charms of its bay, and taking no trouble to build esplanades or pavilions. There is, however, a new quarter in which guests can be far better accommodated than in the picturesque but malodorous old town. Nooks that look tempting on canvas are not always an ideal dwelling-place. To the east- ward Carbis Bay is fast becoming a fashionable suburb, and a little way inland from this place stands the singular Knill Monument. It was erected in 1782 by John Knill, mayor, who is suspected of having been an arrant smuggler, and who raised this steeple-like tower ostensibly to be his own mausoleum. Perhaps local rumour belied him when it whispered that he intended the thing to be a landmark for smuggling craft. In his will were many strange bequests, one of which was for a quinquennial ceremony to be enacted round this mausoleum. This ceremony took place in due course on Thursday, 25th July, 1 90 1, and was reported by local papers as follows: " The trustees, accompanied by the borough 136