Page:The Cornwall coast.djvu/282

 276 THE CORNWALL COAST seek other remedies for their delicate children ; only perhaps a few of the elder folk fondly nurse a memory and a belief in the powers of St. Cubert's Well. Yet the spring flows on, heedless of its neglect as it was heedless of its worship ; it is only the false, the fantastic, the deceptive that have passed — the truth, the loveliness remain. About two and a half miles from the well, across the sand-downs and commons, is the little church- town of Cubert. Its stands high, overlooking the sand-wastes of Holywell and Perran Bays, and its church serves the purpose of a landmark in this somewhat trackless district. It is Early English in character, with later additions, such as the Decorated woodwork about its roof ; the graceful tower has an octagonal upper stage and low spire, with three bells in the belfry. The church was struck by lightning in 1848, and restored under the care of G. E. Street, R.A. The font, of Norman design, was preserved from mutilation in Puritan times by veiling its beauties beneath a covering of plaster. During the restoration a granite monumental stone was unearthed, of Romano- British character ; it has been placed in the wall outside the tower, and its inscription reads Con- ectoci fill Tegerno Mali. Whether legends of the lost Langarrow are true or not, there was evi- dently a considerable population of this part in early British times. Cubert is still peaceful and primitive, being a little too far from Newquay to be overrun by the summer visitors. A pleasant and fairly good road leads towards Crantock, passing by Trevowah, beyond which a turning to the left takes us to West Pentire and the small bay known as Porth or " Polly " Joke. The " joke " needs explanation ; possibly it is the corruption