*LESKEARD, (Cornwall) 180 cm. 229 mm. from London. Mr. Norden, who surveyed and described this Co. in the R. of James I.
calls it Liskerde; and says it is a poor T. whose ruins however argue its pristine glory to be great, and that it is
priviledged for the coinage of tin, and has a pretty Mt. Since his time, it has improved to be one of the largest and best
built Ts. in Cornwall, with the greatest Mt. It was first incorporated by Edward E. of Cornwall, afterwards by K. John's
son, Richard K. of the Romans, and had privileges from Edward the Black Prince. Q. Eliz. granted it a charter; by which it
was to have a mayor and burgesses, who should have a perpetual succession, purchase lands, &c. Here is a handsome town-
hall built on stone pillars, with a turret on it, and a noble clock with four dials that cost near 200 l. the gift of Mr.
Dolben, one of its members in Pt. and the corp. has had fine presents of plate from others of their members, particularly
silver mugs and cups, round one of which, most commonly in use, is this toping motto, Qui fallit in poculis, fallit in
omnibus. Here is a large Ch. and meeting-house, an eminent fr. sc. and a curious conduit; and on the adjacent commons,
which feed multitudes of sheep, there have been frequent horse-races. K. Will. bestowed the rents and tolls of this Bor.
on that great lawyer the Ld. Somers. It has a Mt. on S. and 7 Fairs, viz, Shrove-M. Midlent-M. the M. after St. Nicholas,
Ascension-day, Aug. 15, Sept. 21, and the M. after the 6th of Dec. Besides the Bor. there is the manor bel. to the duchy,
where the Es. and since the Ds. had a castle and seat long since decayed; and here was a park also bel. to the duchy, but
K. Hen. VIII. disparked it. Nevertheless there is a park adjoining to the T. in which the E. of Radnor has a fine seat.
Here was anciently a chapel of the Virgin Mary, famous for many pilgrimages to it. The list of its Pt.-men begins the 23d
of Edw. I. Here is a very great trade in all mfs. of leather; and some spinning is set up here lately, encouraged by the
clothiers of Devonshire. On the hills N. of Leskeard, and in the way from hence to Launceston, are many mines of tin,
which is cast in the blowing-houses into blocks that are sent hither to be coined.