_Meaning of "Pallace_".--The term "Pallace" (No. 13. p. 202.)
is applied in Totnes to denote a landing-place inclosed by walls,
but not roofed in. Many of these "pallaces" have been converted into
coal-cellars. Perhaps _pales_ may have been used originally to
form these inclosures in lieu of walls;--and hence the word
"pallace" would mean a place paled in. I find repeated mention made
of "pallaces" in a schedule attached to a deed of the Corporation of
Totnes, bearing date September 18th, 1719, a copy of which is now
before me, and from it the following extracts are taken:--
"One linney and two _pallaces_ or yards."
"All those houses, rooms, cellars, and _pallaces_."
"All that great cellar lately rebuilt, and _the plott of ground
or pallace_ thereto belonging lately converted into a cellar."
"All that little cellar and _pallace_ lately rebuilt, and
the kay or landing place thereto belonging, and near adjoyning
unto and upon the river Dart."
"And the little _pallace_ or _landing-place_."
_Apropos_ of _landing-places_, it may interest some of
your readers to learn that the _very stone_ upon which Brutus,
the nephew of Æneas, landed at Totnes, still remains! It is inserted
in the foot-way nearly opposite the Mayoralty-house in the Fore
Street. From Totnes, the neighbouring shore was heretofore called
_Totonese_: and the _British History_ tells us, that _Brutus_,
the founder of the British nation, arrived here; and _Havillanus_
[John de _Alvilla_ or _Hauteville_, according to Mr. Wright] as
a poet, following the same authority, writes thus:--
"Inde dato cursu, _Brutus_ comitatus Achate
Gallorum spoliis cumulatis navibus aequor
Exarat, et superis auraque faventibus usus,
_Littora felices intrat Totonesia portus_."
"From hence great Brute with his Achates steer'd,
Full fraught with Gallic spoils their ships appear'd;
The Winds and Gods were all at their command,
_And happy Totnes shew'd them grateful land_."
_Gibson's Camden_.