The Maid of Sker · Chapter
Endnotes explained
The endnotes provide scholarly references and editorial commentary on topics such as the Newton-Nottage sand-march, traveling performers, plague entries in North Devon parish registers, and a local farmer's skepticism about literacy.
What happens
The endnotes provide scholarly references and editorial commentary on topics such as the Newton-Nottage sand-march, traveling performers, plague entries in North Devon parish registers, and a local farmer's skepticism about literacy.
Key passages
“A clear and interesting account of this mighty sand-march may be found in a very learned paper by the Rev. H. H. Knight, B.D., formerly rector of Neath, Glamorgan; which paper, entitled “An Account of Newton-Nottage,” was reprinted at Tenby in 1853, from the Archaeologia Cambrensis.”
A detailed description of the large sand movement is available in a scholarly article by Reverend H. H. Knight, originally published in Archaeologia Cambrensis and later reprinted in Tenby in 1853.
Reference to a geological and historical paper on sand migration.
“These fine fellows are talked of now as if we had found a novelty. They came through South Wales on a “starring” tour thirty years agone, and they seemed to be on their last legs then. Under the moon is there anything new?”
People speak of these performers as if they were a new discovery, but they toured South Wales thirty years ago and were already fading. Nothing is truly new.
Editorial comment on the cyclical nature of novelty.
“There are several entries of deaths from plague in parish registers of North Devon, circa 1790. Perhaps it was what they now call “black fever,” the most virulent form of typhus.”
Parish records from North Devon around 1790 show many plague deaths, possibly what is now known as 'black fever,' a severe type of typhus.
Historical note on disease and mortality records.
“A Devonshire farmer challenged me, the other day, to prove, “Whatt be the gude of the papper, whan any vule can rade un?””
A farmer from Devon recently asked me to explain the use of paper when any fool can read it.
Anecdote illustrating rural skepticism toward literacy and printed material.