The Harbour of Fowey is spacious and well secured from the destructive effects of storms, by the hills encircling it; and on rising ground near the sea, are the remains of two Towers, said to have been erected in the reign of Edward IV. There are also two other embattled square Towers on each side the harbour, now fast mouldering to decay, and which in former times supported a chain across its entrance.
Fowey, like many other sea-port towns in early times, has suffered much during the wars: at present its chief dependance is on the pilchard fisheries. Other kinds of fish are also to be purchased in season, at very reasonable rates, and the river abounds with fine salmon.
On the opposite side of the river, is Polruan, said by Leland, to have been in former times, a place of considerable note; but now it consists only of a few picturesque cottages. The ruins of an antient Chapel and an old well, surmounted by a stone cross.
Menabilly, about three miles west of Fowey, the seat of William Rashleigh, Esq. late M.P. and Sheriff for the county, in the year 1820, is a neat edifice of moor stone. The southern or principal front, commands a view of the sea, but it is chiefly remarkable as containing a very valuable cabinet of minerals,[[6]] and said to be the finest in England. There are also many other curiosities in the house, and a few fine drawings and portraits.
About a mile from this place, in a very sequestered spot, called Polredmouth, stands an octagonal Grotto of curious workmanship, close to the sea, composed of an immense number of minerals, fossils, &c. In the centre of it stands a very handsome table of 32 species of polished granite.
As the parish church of Tyarwardeth is more than two miles distant from Menabilly, a neat Chapel has been built at the expense of Mr. Rashleigh, adjoining his grounds.
The road from hence to Lostwithiel, is extremely dreary; the Church Tower of Lanlivery, a small village to the left, forms a pleasing object.
Lostwithiel is a very ancient Borough and market town, situated on the high road to Falmouth from Plymouth, and 28 miles west of Tor Point. The Corporation, consisting of a Mayor, six Aldermen, and 17 Burgesses, have the right of electing the members to serve in Parliament.
The Church is rather a handsome edifice, with one very lofty aisle and two small ones; the tower at the western end is surmounted by a singularly beautiful Gothic spire. The chief attraction of the interior is a very curious and antient octagonal Font. It is supported by five clustered columns, and charged with a representation of a huntsman riding an ass, accoutred in a short jacket with a sword by his side, a horn in his mouth, a hawk on his finger; a dog seizing a rabbit; an ape’s head entwined with a snake; a representation of the crucifixion, with a female figure on each side; and the arms of the Earl of Cornwall: but the whole has been much obliterated and disfigured by a thick coat of whitewash. The accompanying engraving, it is presumed, will be found an accurate representation of this interesting relic of antiquity.
Lostwithiel is at present a town of little trade, although barges are navigable to the quay, every tide, from Fowey. The houses are chiefly built of stone with slated roofs, and amount to about 150 in number, and the parish contains, according to the late census, 933 inhabitants.