TOTNES, or TOTNESS, Devonshire, a market-town, municipal and parliamentary borough, and the seat of a Poor-Law Union, in tho parish of Totnes, is pleasantly situated on the slope of a hill on the left bank of the river Dart, hi 50° 25' N. lat., 3° 41' W. long., distant 23 miles S. by W. from Exeter, 196 miles' W.S.W. from London by road, and 223 miles by the Great Western railway. The population of the borough in 1851 was 4419. The borough is governed by 4 aldermen and 12 councillors, one of whom is mayor; and returns two members to the Imperial Parliament. Totnes Poor-Law Union contains 28 parishes and townships, with an area of 98,342 acres, and a popu lation in 1851 of 34,022.
Totues is mentioned in the Exon Domesday as held by Juhell de Toteneis, who founded here a Cluniac priory, and erected a castle. A handsome modern bridge of three arches over the river Dart connects Totues with tbe small suburb of Bridgetown. Totncs is lighted with gas. The principal street runs down the hill to the bridge, and is paved; several of the houses are ancient, with upper stories projecting over the footpath, and supported by pillars. In the main street is an ancient gateway, which was purchased a few years ago by Lord Seymour (now the Duke of Somerset) for 1000/. and presented to the town for the use of a literary institute and library. On an artificial mound, commanding a fine view of the town and the surrounding country, is the circular keep of tbe ancient castle. The Church Walk,
or Exchange, consists of a large room with ten windows fronting the street, supported by granite pillars: underneath is a colonnade for the merchants. The church is a handsome structure of late perpendicular, having a well-proportioned tower with pinnacles at tho west end. There are chapels for Independents and Wesleyan Methodists. There are a Grammar school; an endowed Blue-Coat Charity school ; National, British, and Infant schools ; and a mechanics institute with a library. There are a guildhall and a small jail, a handsome and spacious market-house, a small theatre, and an assembly-room. An island in the river Dart, just below the bridge, is laid out in an orna mental manner as a garden with walks. The extensive grounds around the castle are open to the public. Totnes has some trade in corn, coal, and culm, which are imported, and in cider, which is exported. There is a salmon fishery in the river above the town.
The market is held on Saturday ; a great cattle-market monthly ; fairs are held on May 12th and October 28th. Races are held yearly. Totnes has sent two members to Parliament from the 23rd of Edward I.