PREFACE.

(ADDRESSED TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT OF
THE WEST COUNTRY.)

In a tale of the West of England in whichare introduced some of the lowest types ofrustic humanity to be found there, it isimpossible to avoid the use of the local dialect.This dialect has, however, been modified, asmuch as possible to render it intelligiblewithout transforming it into the language of theschools. The vulgar dialect is regardless ofgender and reckless in the use of cases. A cowis he, and a tom-cat wags her tail. At a trialin Exeter, at the Assizes, a man was chargedwith the murder of his wife, a woman withan aggravating tongue. The jury found averdict of 'Not Guilty' against the clearestevidence, and, when the Judge expressed hissurprise, 'Ah, your lordship,' said theforeman in explanation, 'us ain't a-going tohang he for the likes of she.' It is perhapsnecessary to explain that 'the Cobbledicks'are no creation of the imagination—the clanhas only been dispersed of recent years; theold man who lived in a cyder-cask is dead,but he was alive ten years ago. The clanwas literally one of half-naked savages.

CONTENTS

OF

THE FIRST VOLUME

CHAPTER

1. The Cobbledicks

2. What the Cask Did

3. West Wyke

4. Mirelle

5. The Owl's Nest

6. That Old Tramplara

7. That Young Tramplara

8. Cicely

9. Dolbeare

10. ...