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THE INLETS OF THE SOUTH COAST 121 the long thin fingers or tongues of water diving deep into the heart of the land. One of these goes up to Truro and it is one of the popular excur- sions from both towns to sail up and down in the summer steamboats from one to the other. Fal- mouth itself lies along both sides of the neck of land ending in Pendennis Point, and, though on a much larger scale, is in that respect not unlike St. Ives in situation. The southern side boasts the beach and what may be called Villadom for its share, and the northern looks upon the harbour and faces over to the hamlet of Flushing where the ferry runs con- tinually. There are steep streets in Falmouth as everywhere else in Cornwall, and even the main street passing all along beside the water, mounts a tough hill toward Penryn. The glimpses of the crowded harbour and the variety and picturesque- ness of the boats and ships that find their way in are a never-failing source of interest and pleasure. Before the days of steam Falmouth was of more importance than it is now, and many a sailing ship started from here with a cargo of passengers who had travelled as far as possible on land before com- mitting themselves to the uncertain sea. But Fal- mouth is particularly known for having been the starting-place of the Royal Mail Packets which 16