402 ON A TTJDOB MANSION AT TREFTTSIS. 



pebbles, and resting on the sub-way. This fact further confirms 

 its date. Lord Clinton has mentioned a family tradition, that 

 it was a covered entrance to the mansion from the beach.* It 

 seems too spacious for a sewer, as some consider it. In the 

 Georgian period two ordinary stone-drains, 14 inches wide, and 

 12 high, were made to issue into it. 



The bricks used in this sub-way and for the main work, 

 were probably burntf from a bed of clay, which runs through 

 the grounds. Dutch bricks were probably imported for better 

 work. 



Indistinct traces of an entrenchment are seen on the ground 

 situated N.E. of the mansion, towards the grove of the bowling- 

 green. If this could be established, I should be disposed to 

 interpret the name of Tref usis as the ' house of an entrenchment 

 or camp', (Corn. Foza, voza, fose.) Pry ce interprets Tref uses-is-us 

 as ' walled (fozes) habitation' (Archseologia Cornu-Britannica.) 

 By an old-fashioned quaint rebus, the Latin words ' tres fusi ' 

 (=three spindles) were read into the Cornish name; hence the 

 family armsj of Tref usis are derived ; Argent, a chevron between 

 three (w)harrow spindles, sable. Motto : — Tout vient de Dieu. 



Penfusis was an alternative name both of the headland and 

 of the mansion ; the prefixes 'pen' and 'tre' are often confused. 

 Leland, Collections (1533-1540), "there lyith a litle cape or 

 foreland within the haven a mile dim.§ almost again Mr. 

 Kiligrewis house, || called Penfusis." "There dwellith an 

 auncient gentilman, callid Tref usis, at this point of Penfusis." 

 Further on, Leland speaks of " the point of land of Tref usis." 



*It is supposed to have been used for military purposes of defence ; if the 

 house was attacked, defenders could issue from the sub-way, taking the assailants 

 both in front and rear. 



fThe remains of a kiln are still visible at the foot of the ravine, near Kiln 

 Quay, the landing place from the harbour. 



JThe coat of arms is cut in granite over the E. or principal entrance of the 

 new house. 



§Lat.=half. 



1 1 Now Arwenack Manor-office. 



