PHILLACK, a parish in the hundred of PENWITH,
county of CORNWALL, 7 miles (N.E. by N.) from Marazion,
containing 2529 inhabitants. The living is a rec-
tory, with that of Gwithian annexed, in the archdeaconry
of Cornwall, and diocese of Exeter, rated in the king's
books at £45. 10. 10., and in the patronage of the Rev.
William Hockin. The church is dedicated to St. Felix.
This parish includes the port of Hayle, also several
villages, the principal of which, Hayle Copper House,
carries on a considerable trade in coal, timber, iron, and
limestone, imported from Wales; and earthenware,
groceries, &c., from Bristol: the chief exports are copper-
ore, in considerable quantities, from the western
mines. Extensive improvements have been recently
made in the harbour by canals, flood-gates, wharfs, Sac.;
and a grand causeway, one thousand and forty feet in
length, across an arm of the sea, was finished in 1826,
at the expense of £7200; a weekly market has been
established, and a market-house erected. Here is the
largest and most complete iron-foundry and factory in
Cornwall, where apparatus for steam-engines of the
greatest dimensions are made. The smelting and refining
of copper were formerly carried on to a great
extent, but within these last few years the works have
ceased, owing to the great expense, and the arsenic
smoke having been found destructive to the health of
the workmen, and to vegetation in general. There is
a smelting-house for tin at Argarrack. The great wheal
Alfred, which formerly produced one thousand tons of
copper-ore per month, and several other mines, are
within this parish, though none are at present in operation.
The north side of the parish is overwhelmed with
sand, blown up from the coast of St. Ive's bay. There
was once a castle at Hayle Bar Riviere, and another at
Castle Hayle, of which the moat still remains.