and the present Italians doe the like touching theirs, as Roma santa, Venetia ricca, Florenza bella, Napoli gentile, Ferrara ciuile, Bologna grassa, Rauenna antiqua, &c. In an imitation whereof, some of the idle disposed Cornish men nicke their townes with by-words, as, The good fellowship of Padstowe, Pride of Truro, Gallants of Foy, &c.
The Clarke of the markets office, hath beene heretofore so abused by his deputies, to their priuate gaine, that the same is tainted with a kinde of discredit, which notwithstanding, being rightly & duly executed, would worke a reformation of many disorders, and a great good to the Common-wealth.
Foure Coroners, chosen by the voyces of the freeholders, do serue the shire, who for the present are, Bligh, Tub, Trenance, and Bastard.
The Vice-admiralty is exercised by M. Charles Treuanion, a Gentleman, through his vertue, as free from greedinesse, as through his faire liuelyhood, farre from needinesse: and by daily experience giuing proofe, that a minde valewing his reputation at the due price, will easily repute all dishonest gaine much inferiour thereunto, & that in conuersing with the worst sort of people (which his office oftentimes enforceth) he can no more be disgraced, then the Sunne beames by shining vpon a dunghill will be blemished.
I haue here set downe the names of those Commissioners for the peace, who at this present make their ordinary residence in Corn. as they stand placed in the Commission, where the priority is mostly deferred to antiquity.
Q. Fra. Godolphin M. 1.| Carolus Treuanion 16. Q. Nic. Parker M. 2.| Thomas S. Aubin 17. Q. Iona. Trelawney M. 3.| Q. Rob Moyle 18. Q. Reg. Mohun M. 4.| Q. Ed Hancock. 19. Q. P. Petrus Edgecomb 5.| Tristramus Arscot 20. Q. Ric. Carew de Anth. 6.| Thomas Lower 21. Q. Bern. Greinuile 7.| W. Treffry de Fowey 22. Q. Antonius Rowse 8.| Iohannes Hender 23. Petrus Courtney 9.| Q. Willi. Wray 24. Q. Tho. Chiuerton 10.| Georgius Kekiwiche 25. Q. Christ. Harris 11.| Q. Arth. Harris 26. Io. Arund. de Trerise 12.| Io. Harris de Lansre. 27. Th. Arun. de Taluerne 13.| Q. Degor. Chamons 28. Q. Nic. Prideaux 14.| Iohannes Trefusis 29. Q. Hannibal Viuian 15.| Otwel Hill 30.
Their ordinary use was, to begin the quarter Sessions for the East halfe of the Shire, on the Tuesdayes and Wednesdayes, at Bodmyn, and to adiourne the [89] same for the West halfe, to be ended at Truro the Friday and Saterday following, leaning one dayes space for riding betweene. But about twenty yeres sithence, the Easterne Iustices making the greatest number, and in this separation having farthest to ride, when they were disposed to attend both places, either in regard of their ease, or vpon scruple of conscience, or for both together, called into question, whether this custome were as warrantable by right, as it was pleadable by prescription; and whether it as much aduanced the administration of iustice, as it eased the trauell of the people. And thereupon they began to appoynt the intire Sessions at either place one after another. This was sometimes performed, and sometimes broken, by the Westerne Iustices, so as seuerall and contrary precepts of summons were directed to the Sheriffe, with the great vncertaynty, ill example, and trouble of the Countrey. It hapned, that one newly associated, and not yet seasoned with either humour, made this motion for a reconcilement, viz. that the Sessions should enterchangeably one quarter begin at Bodmyn, and end at Truro; and the next begin, at Truro, and end at Bodmyn; and that no recognisance should be discharged, or cause decided out of his owne diuision. This proposition, as it gaue the Westerne Iustices the greatest part of their will, so it salued a sore which chiefly grieued the Easterne: for before, what was done in the beginning at one place, was, or might be vndoone in the ending at the other: wherefore all parties willingly condiscended hereunto, and it hath euer sithence beene accordingly obserued.