Page:Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries.djvu/537

 156 The Ancient Stone Crosses to pass that way it will shorten the distance to the object we are desirous of reaching. Beyond the court a private road leads to the main entrance gate, and immediately without this, and built into the wall, on the left as we emerge, will be seen an ancient cross. It has been split down the centre to form a pair of gate-posts, but the parts are now fitted neatly together. There is no attempt at any ornamenta- tion, but it is a good example of a plain wayside cross, and to Mr. Wills, a former occupier of South Harton, who placed it here for preservation, the antiquary, and indeed all who delight to find these relics of the past by our highways and in our quiet lanes, must feel indebted. Its total height is six feet three inches, and the height to the arms four feet ten inches. These measure twenty inches across, and project about three inches from the shaft. The thickness of the latter is thirteen inches, except at its foot, where it is greater ; it is also rather wider there than immediately under the arms. It is possible that the lower part of the shaft of the cross at North Bovey was fashioned in a similar manner, and if so the size of the socket is explained. We turn up the lane on the left hand, but soon bending round to the right shall proceed to Higher Coombe farm- house. Passing this and arriving at the gate opening on the parish road, we shall observe another gate immediately opposite. Through this a field called Cross Park is entered, and near its centre we shall perceive a cross fixed upon a granite rock. This formerly stood in the bank near by and was placed in its present situation in i860, by Mr. Amery, who then occupied the farm. On approaching it we shall find it to consist of the upper portion only, a great part of the shaft being missing. It is twenty-eight inches high; its width eleven inches, and its thickness nine. The arms, one of which has a small piece broken off from it, are twenty-three inches across, and above them the head rises nine inches. The cross is carefully secured in its place by four small iron -clamps. It is gratifying to find that, like the cross at South Harton, this interesting object has not been cast aside or destroyed. From Cross Park a walk of about a mile will bring us to Lustleigh. By the roadside, and very near to the railway station, a large block of granite may be seen, raised above the level of