POLPERRO, a sea-port and market-town partly
in the parish of LANSALLOES, and partly in that of
TALLAND, hundred of WEST, county of CORNWALL,
5 miles (E.) from Fowey, and 3 (W. S. W.) from West
Lope. The population is returned with the parishes.
This is a small fishing-town, romantically situated,
the houses being built on the sides of two steep
rocky hills, and between them, through a very narrow
valley, flows a small river which separates the
parishes. Here is a harbour for vessels of one hundred
and fifty tons' burden: the imports are chiefly coal,
culm, and limestone, and grain is occasionally exported.
A pilchard fishery and an extensive hook and line
fishery are carried on, the latter of which supplies Bath,
Plymouth, &c., with large quantities of fine whiting,
pipers, dace, plaice, and turbot. A small market is
held on Friday; and a pleasure fair on July 10th, which
continues for several days, on which occasion a nominal
mayor is elected by a mock council of aldermen.
There was formerly a chapel at Polperro, dedicated
to St. Peter, some remains of which, called the
Chapel house, are on the brow of the western hill above
the town. There are places of worship for Independents
and Wesleyan Methodists, in that part of the town
which is in the parish of Talland. The interest of
£200," the benefaction of Captain Charles Kendall, and
of £100, the gift of Mrs. Mary Kendall, is paid to a
master and a mistress, for the education of children of
both sexes.