TRURO, Cornwall, a municipal and parliamentary borough, a market-town, and the seat of a Poor-Law Union, is situated at the head of Truro Creek, in 50° ]6' N. lat., 5° 2' W. long., distant 21 miles S.W. from Bodmin, and 255 miles W.S.W. from London by road. The population of the borough was 10,733 in 1851. The borough is governed by 6 aldermen and 18 councillors, one of whom is mayor, and returns two members to the Imperial Parliament. The livings are in the archdeaconry of Cornwall and diocese of Exeter. Truro Poor-Lew Union contains 21 parishes and townships, with an area of 92.211 acres, and a population in 1851 of 42,270.
The earliest mention of Truro appears to be about the year 1175, under the name of Triueru. It is first found under the form Truro in the reign of Henry VII. Its market is held by prescription. Elizabeth granted it a charter in 1589. Truro is the neatest town in Cornwall The houses are well built ; the streets are partially paved and lighted. St. Mary's, the parish church, is a handsome building, with a spire 125 feet high. In the town are a chapel of ease, and chapels for Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists, Baptists, and Independents. There are a Grammar school, and National and
British schools. The Royal Cornwall Institution holds it meetings in Truro : its museum contains a rich collection of Cornish minerals, birds, and antiquities. The county library and the Cornish Ilorti• cultural Society are established in the town. There are assembly rooms, a county infirmary, and a jail. The town-hall is a handsome new building in the Italian style : the court of the Vice-Warden of the Stannaries is held in it.
Truro has a considerable trade, and is the residence of several of the gentry of the county. East Huel Rose, one of the largest lead mines in the county, is near the town. Some tin is smelted, and tin and copper aro exported. The imports are iron, coal, and timber. Markets for meat, fish. and other provisions are held on Wednesday and Saturday; the Wednesday market is also for corn. There are four yearly cattle-fairs. Truro is one of the coinage towns (for the coinage of the tin): the process is carried on only here and at Pen exam. The mound and a few other vestiges of Truro Castle remain.