Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, Second Series

"Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, Second Series" by William Bottrell is a compilation of Cornish folk tales and customs that seeks to keep alive the local oral storytelling tradition through various stories about witches, villagers, and characters such as the crafty Duffy, Squire Lovell, and the Devil. The book opens with the play "Duffy and the Devil," about Squire Lovell hiring Duffy, who unknowingly to him, made a deal with the Devil to have her work done for three years in return for her soul. The opening sets a lighthearted tone, filled with witty charm and vibrant language, while also hinting at deeper subjects of trickery as Duffy deals with her relationships with the Squire and the devil.