Trevarthen has the appearance of a place respectable in former times. The freehold belongs to the Duke of Leeds, as heir of the Godolphins; but it was held for a long period of years on a lease for lives by one of the numerous branches of the family of Davies, now all extinct. This parish has abounded in mines, especially in the manors of Treveneage and Tregurtha; but the most remarkable in its consequences was a mine called Whele Fortune, on Trowall or Truthwell, belonging to Lord Godolphin, as it enabled Mr. Lemon to move on the great scale which afterwards so eminently distinguished him; as it laid the foundation of Mr. Blewett’s large fortune; and brought forward Captain Dewen, whose fortune descended on two daughters, one married to the Rev. George Borlase, Fellow of All Souls, and son of the historian; the other married to Mr. Keir, a gentleman in the profession of medicine. The church is situated on a commanding elevation, and would be an imposing object throughout the whole neighbourhood, if it were not disfigured by an insignificant spire. The church and churchyard contain several monuments to the Godolphins, Pennecks, Milletts, Blewetts, &c. On a stone, now made the floor of a seat in the south-east corner of St. Hilary church, is the following curious inscription to one of the Godolphins. Aquila quæ volucres cœli supereminet omnes, Et Caper e summis qui carpit montibus herbam, Quique tuum referens _Godolphin_ nomen in undis Delphinus, piscesque regit, cursuque fatigat; Hæc bene te natum proavis insignia monstrant Per cœlum, et terras, et vasta per æquora claris, Et tua te virtus cunctis majoribus æquat. Sic transit Gloria Mundi! Et quæ modo candida Nix est, Phœbo splendente, liquescit. Et quæ modo florida vigent Per amœnos Lilia campos, Citius quam dicere possis, Aspectu Solis eoi Marcescunt; sic violentis Fatorum legibus omnes Cedunt, juvenesque senesque, Sic qui modo floruit inter Primos, generosus, et inter Claros; quos vexit honoris Summi ad fastigia virtus; Nulli pietate secundus, _Godolphin_ morte peremptus, Fatis succumbit iniquis. Humana hinc discite quàm Vita incerta et brevis! Sic transit Gloria Mundi! In connection with the church, one of those casual coincidences may be noticed, which continued to be remembered and cited for more than a century in this parish, and to obtain belief or discredit, as an interposition of Providence, according to the religious or the political opinions of those who heard or related it.