a town of Cornwall, in England, seated on a hill at the entrance of Falmouth-haven by Pendennis castle. The inhabitants in 1801 exceeded 2000; and the streets are broad and well paved. There are so many gardens and orchards in it, that it resembles very much a town in a wood. It is well watered with rivulets, and has an arm of the sea on each side of it, with a good customhouse and quay, and other neat buildings. It drives a considerable trade in pilchards, and in the Newfoundland fishery. It was anciently governed by a portreeve; but James I. made it a corporation, consisting of a mayor, 11 aldermen, 12 common-councilmen, with a recorder, steward, &c. an office of record every three weeks, with a prifon, and power to try felons in their jurisdiction. And he granted, that the mayor and two aldermen should be justices of the peace, and that they should have a guildhall. There was once a monastery in this place, which was a cell to Kirton; and there are still to be seen a tower, and part of the garden walls, the ruins of a collegiate church. It has neither church nor chapel, but belongs to the parish of Gluvias, a quarter of a mile off. It has sent members to parliament ever since the first year of Queen Mary; and James II. granted it a new charter, whereby their election was vested in the magistracy only; but it was never made use of, all the inhabitants that pay foot and tot, who are not much above 100, being the electors. Mr Rymer gives a very remarkable account how Penryn was once faved by a company of strolling players. He says, that towards the latter end of the 16th century the Spaniards were landing to burn the town just as the players were setting Samson upon the Philistines; which performance was accompanied with such drumming and shouting, that the Spaniards thought some ambush was laid for them, and scampered back to their ships. Queen Elizabeth founded a free-school in this place.

W. Long. 4° 58'. N. Lat. 50° 23'.