Lord de Dunstanville and his Lady.—Gainsborough.
Ditto, when about 18 years of age, in a vandyke dress.—Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Sir John St. Aubyn.—Ditto.
John Prideux Basset.—Ramsey.
The extent of Tehiddy Park amounts to about 700 acres, and the grounds have been much improved and beautified by extensive plantations, since the present nobleman succeeded to this estate.
Two miles south of Tehiddy, and within the same distance of Redruth, is Carn-bre’ Hill, a very interesting spot, and considered by Borlase, (from the numerous remains of cromlechs, basons, circles, and kairs, in its vicinity) to have been the principal seat of Druidical worship in this neighbourhood. Notwithstanding many other writers have coincided in this opinion, yet it is evident from the observations of one of the most learned Antiquarians, that these remains do not exhibit a complete system of Druidical worship, and Dr. Maton also observes, “these rocks exhibit awful vestiges of convulsions, and the immense detached masses of granite, which appear about to roll down their declivities, awaken sublime ideas in the mind of a spectator.” Neither is there any appearance of systematic designs in the remains alluded to.
On the eastern side of the hill, stands Carn-bre’ Castle, erected on a vast ridge of rocks, which not being all contiguous, are connected by arches turned over the cavities. One part of this fortress is very antient and pierced with loop holes, but the other seems more modern, and is supposed to have been erected to embellish the prospect from Tehiddy, and from its elevated situation, being nearly 700 feet above the level of the sea, commands a most extensive view of the surrounding country. In the year 1749, several gold coins and other relics of antiquity, were found in digging a part of the hill, and a plate of them is given in Borlase’s Work.
Redruth, which is supposed to be one of the most antient places in the county, is now become a very considerable and populous market town. It principally consists of one long street, built on the side of an eminence, in the very bosom of the mining district.
The Church, which was rebuilt about 50 years ago, is a neat edifice, standing nearly a mile from the town; and the rectory is in the gift of Lord de Dunstanville.
Redruth has two markets weekly, and three fairs annually. The population of the parish, according to the late returns, amounts to 6,000.