He walked with safety, for he walked with God;
When lost the powers of precept and of prayer,
Yet still the Flock remained the Shepherd’s care,
Their wants still nobly watchful to supply,
He taught his last best lesson, how to die!
Eny’s House, the seat of Francis Ens, Esq., near Penryn, which was erected before the reign of Edward I., has been in his family from that time, and is noticed by Camden for its fine gardens and shrubberies: it is still a residence of great respectability.
Falmouth, which is now become a very important and populous sea-port town, is distant from Plymouth 55 miles, and 269 west of London. The Harbour, which is considered one of the very best in England, is so commodious and sheltered, that the most numerous fleet may ride here in safety; and when it was surveyed a few years ago by Commissioner Bowen, buoys for 16 sail of battle ships were laid down.[[16]]
Much disquisition and doubts have arisen regarding the origin of this town; but it seems to be generally admitted, that it was a place of but little consequence until the reign of James I., when the greater part of the town was then built; neither was it incorporated until the 13th of Charles II.
The town is chiefly built along the western shore of the harbour, the houses forming a street nearly half a mile in length. Owing to the improvements which have been made of late years, Falmouth has a very prepossessing appearance, and is now inhabited by many respectable families; but although the population of the parish amounts, by the late census, to 6374, it is not represented in Parliament, whilst St. Mawes, a mean fishing cove, on the opposite side of the harbour, possesses that advantage.
The entrance to the harbour of Falmouth is fortified on each side, by the Castles of St. Mawes and Pendennis. The latter has a very magnificent appearance, being built on a rock, rising upwards of 300 feet above the level of the sea, and is almost insulated. This castle was first erected in the reign of Henry VIII., but the works were materially altered and strengthened in the reign of Elizabeth. It is now strongly fortified, and contains commodious barracks for troops, good storehouses, and magazines, besides a comfortable residence for the Lieutenant Governor. In the time of the civil wars this fortress was bravely defended against the Parliament forces, by John Arundell, of Trenie, and was only surrendered on the same conditions as were granted to other places.