[2] Hunt and Bottrell were both intent on preserving the old legends but Bottrell's stories were generally much longer than similar versions published by Hunt, reflecting the way the old story tellers, known as "droll tellers", embellished the basic tales to increase the entertainment value.
A second series of Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall was published in 1873, included the first recorded version of the Mermaid of Zennor.
A shorter than intended volume was completed as Stories and Folk-Lore of West Cornwall [4] with a preface by Rev.
William in his early years worked on the family farm, along with attending the local grammar school.
[5] After leaving the school he would travel the world, eventually buying land in Spain, specifically in Basque country.
He would move back to Cornwall and then to Canada after the Catholic Church seized his land in Spain.
In Canada he held two jobs, first as an English Teacher, later leaving the school and becoming an overseer for a timber company.