Page:Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries.djvu/494

 Of Dartmoor and its Borderland. 117 Passing through Lydford village, we shall regain the high- way close to the Dartmoor Inn, a hostelry well known to the angler and the visitor to this part of the moorland country. We shall not, however, immediately take the road for our guide, as it will first be necessary for us to visit Bra Tor, a striking rock-pile above the left bank of the Lyd. Turning into the lane near the inn a few steps will bring us to the moor-gate, and we shall make our way over High Down towards the river. As we proceed the object which has called us from the road is in full view — a cross standing on the very summit of the tor. This, which cannot be numbered among Dartmoor's ancient crosses, was erected in 1887 by the late Mr. Widgery, the well-known artist, to commemorate the Jubilee year of Her late Majesty's reign. It is a plain Latin cross, the form most in harmony with the wild surroundings. This, and its posi- tion, which is singularly striking, would suffice to show that the hand which set it up was guided by the eye of one who knew how to happily blend the work of art with that of nature. But while we cannot fail to be pleased with the distant effect we shall find the cross on a near approach to be rather disappointing. It is totally unlike any other on Dartmoor. In place of the fine shaft and head and arms of hewn granite, this cross is built of small roughly cut blocks. No less than eight courses form the shaft ; four stones compose the arms, and on these are placed two courses more to represent the head. It is considerably taller than any of the ancient crosses of the moor, being about thirteen feet in height, and is built on the rock, on the very summit of the tor. The cross faces east and west, and on the east side of the base stone of the shaft, which is a little larger than the others, is the following inscription : W. Widgery, Fecit x Jubilee x V,R, The letters are cut on the rough surface of the stone. Returning to the Tavistock and Okehampton highway, or striking across the common and regaining it further on, we shortly pass a roadside inn called the '^ Fox and Hounds," which is at no great distance from Bridestowe station, and shortly after shall reach the hamlet of Southerleigh. Half-a- mile or so further on we pass through Lake, and still following the road, shall at length arrive at the village of Sour ton.