[7]. Leland describes Restormel Castle as “sore defaced” in his time, “the fair large dungeon” says he, “yet stondith, a chapel cast out of it, a newer work than it, and now unrofid.”—Carew says “certes it may move compassion, that a palace so healthful for aire, so delightful for prospect, so necessary for commodities, so fayre for building, and so strong for defence, should in time of secure peace, and under the protection of his natural princes, be wronged with those spoylings, then which it could endure no greater at the hands of any forayne and deadly enemy, &c.”—Norden also says, “The whole Castle beginneth to mourne, and to wringe out hard stones for teares; that she that was imbraced, visited, and delighted with great princes, is now desolate, forsaken, and forlorne: the Cannon needs not batter, nor the pioneer to undermine, nor powder to blow up this so famous a pyle; for time and tirrannie hath wrought her desolation, her water pipes of lead gone, the planching rotten, the walls fallen downe, the fayre and large chimnye pieces, and all that would yield monie or serve for use, are converted to Men’s private purposes, and there remayneth a false show of honor, not contentinge anie compassionate eye to behold her lingrynge decayes. Men greyve to see the dying delayes of anie brute creature, so may we mourne to see so stately a pyle so long a fallinge, if it be of no use, the carcase would make some profit, therefore if it deserve, let her fall be no longer delayde, else will it drop peece meele downe, and her now profitable reliques will then serve to little or no use.”
[8]. The celebrated Tin Mine, called Polgooth, about two miles south-west of this town, has ceased working for many years, owing to some disputes among its proprietors. The profits arising from this mine is said by Borlase to have been £20,000, for many years.
[9]. The inhabitants boast of the Tower as the handsomest in the county; but an impartial observer will not surely prefer it to that of Probus, though some parts of the sculptural ornaments of the former, surpass considerably the latter.
[10]. Lyson’s Mag. Brit. Page 75.
[11]. In consequence of certain corrupt practices, a Bill has recently passed Parliament, disfranchising this borough, and allowing two additional members to be returned for the County of York.
[12]. Beauties of England and Wales for Cornwall, page 249.
[13]. Truro being one of the privileged coinage towns, more tin is exported here than at any other port in the county: great quantities of copper are also exported from hence to Swansea and Neath in Wales. The blocks of tin lie in heaps about the streets, and are left entirely unguarded, as their great weight renders the difficulty to remove them so great, that it is never attempted.
[14]. Vide Beauties of England and Wales for Cornwall.
[15]. Lysons’s Mag. Brit. page 121.
[16]. A very correct plan of this harbour is inserted in Gilbert’s History of Cornwall.