EARLY TOPOGRAPHY OF FALMOUTH. 149 



seen hy Mr. Worth (p 67). f A fresh explanation may be offered. 

 In Boazio's map, 1597, (Plate D) an isolated house, possibly a 

 belvidere, is drawn on such a site on the hill-side, rectangular in 

 plan, and surmounted by a tower and spire, and designated by 

 the odd name "Three farthings house." This suggests a rea- 

 sonable explanation of the legend, and of the nick-name of 

 the village-town. 



Porthan, an older form of Porhan, deserves particular 

 attention. This name, which is still embodied in the local nomen- 

 clature, is believed by the writer to be the oldest Cornish name 

 for the locality situate between the Moor and Arwenack. In 

 Burleigh's map (Plate A) Porhanwithe is placed off the Manor 

 MUls at the Bar, and occurs in leases drawn of those mills for 

 the Bluetts at the Manor Office. In Boazio's map, 1597, (Plate D) 

 " Porehgassis Bale " denotes that part of the harbour which lies 

 south of the present Market Strand, at which the slight inlet 

 or cove is designated" Lyme Kill Bale." In the unique map of 

 Smithick village — 1613-1650 (Plate 0), described below, there 

 is written " Portth(a)n Hill," on the site of Wellington Terrace, 

 overlooking the Moor. At present Porhan Hill denotes the upper 

 portion of the lane or street, lately re-named Smithick Hill ; but in 

 the description found in the old leases, the high ground westward 

 of the Church and Arwenack Streets, which has been from the 

 earliest times the approach to Arwenack House (See Burleigh's 

 map — A), is termed generically, and not specifically, Porhan 

 Hill. 



In Cornish, Porthan Hill, means the Port of the Haven, just 

 as Porth-karn-haun in Endellion parish (quoted by Britton and 

 Brayley) is interpreted to be the Port of the Eocky Haven. 



f" The house in the town is to this very day shewn at the northern end of the 

 the whole and shewn under this very appellation of Pennycome-quick. It still 

 remains upon what was actually the land of Pendarves, but now belongs to Sir 

 Francis Bassett. 



It has a small walled court before it, facing with it the sea ; is still thatched 

 in one half of its roof, and is still an ale-house, and still retains a fading remem- 

 brance of the name, which it formerly bore, Penny-come-quick. 



It is near the quay opposite to Flushing and a little on the right of the long 

 flight of stone steps, by which you ascend from the passage boat that plies between 

 Flushing and Falmouth, and has the mark of an ancient door, as of an ancient 

 window, in the wall which turns its back towards the land (1794)." — {iVhitaker 

 M8S„ Royal Institution of Cornwall, fp. 2196 to 220.) 



