Scorrier House, about two miles from Redruth, the seat of John Williams, Esq., contains a very valuable collection of minerals.
The country between Redruth and St. Agnes, appears extremely desolate and barren, as a late writer has observed—“like the shabby mien of a miser, it’s aspect does not correspond with its hoards;” since there are more mines in this part of the county, than any other.
St. Agnes is a small town, on the northern coast, nine miles from Truro, and 267 from London, and had formerly a considerable harbour, now choaked up with sand; and the quay has been partly washed down by the impetuosity of the waves, but is now in tolerable repair.
The lover of the picturesque, however, will be highly pleased at the grandeur of the rocks, which face the shore at this part of the coast; and here is a remarkable stupendous mountain, called St. Agnes’ Beacon, rising pyramidically to the height of more than 600 feet above the level of the sea. The beacon on the top is greatly dilapidated, yet is particularly valuable to vessels passing this coast. An antient well at this place, has been much extolled, and many miraculous stories are told regarding its virtues.
St. Agnes has to boast of the birth of that celebrated painter, Opie, and one of the members of the Royal Academy, who died so much lamented, at an early age. His Lectures on Painting have since been published, with his portrait, and are highly interesting and useful to the artist.
The Church is an antient edifice, and is consolidated with the vicarage of Piranzabuloe, being in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. There are also several antient manors in this parish. The population, according to the late returns, amounted to 5,762, being an increase of 738, since the year 1811.
In Piranzabuloe, the adjoining parish, is of a circular amphitheatre, with a rampart and fosse surrounding it, called Piran Round. The area is about 130 feet in diameter, and it is supposed to have been originally designed for the performance of Cornish interludes, or where plays were acted.
Perraw Porth in this parish, is much resorted to during the bathing season, on account of its fine sandy beach, &c.
Trerice in Newlyn, is one of the most interesting antient buildings in the county, and although going to decay, still displays much of its original grandeur. The principal entrance hall being very spacious, is lighted by a fine large window of 24 compartments, and over the chimneypiece in the drawing-room, (which is in a very deplorable state,) are the arms of the Arundel family, who resided here at a very early period. It is now the property of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart., and at present is occupied by a respectable farmer.
About three miles from hence, in the parish of St. Columb Minor, are some considerable remains of Railton Priory, and which is said to have been founded by Prior Vivian of Bodmin, who is noticed in a subsequent part of this work.