Page:Devon & Cornwall Notes & Queries.djvu/518

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Of Dartmcar and Us Borderland, 139 letters, i a, cut very small, are on its northern side. The inclination of the stone is towards the south ; it faces almost due east and west. It wears a very venerable look, the head being partly covered with short, grey moss, and forms a pleasing object, standing alone upon this lofty spot. Ere we leave the down we shall not fail to observe the wondrous prospect commanded from it. To the north-west rises Cosdon, and if we look near its foot we shall descry the roofs of West Week, and be able to trace the greater part of the route we have pursued from that place to Chagford. Lying, as it were, at our feet is Rushford Bridge, and lower down Sandy Park and the entrance to the gorge of Fingle, with Cranbrook further toward the east. In the opposite direction is a wide view of the eastern slopes of the moor, and between Middledon Hill and Nat Tor Down, Kes Tor appears, and we shall never see it to greater advantage. " Not proud Olympus yields a nobler sight, Though gods assembled grace his towering height, Than what more humble mountains offer here, Where, in their blessings, all those gods appear.'* Just after leaving the common we reach another standing stone, also close by the roadside. This is known locally as Shorter Cross, and to it a history attaches. It was removed in 1873 to Middle Middlecott Farm, not far distant, and placed under a pump there, where it remained buried until 1900. Early in that year, through the instrumentality of Major Yolland, it was disinterred and taken back to its original situation. The stone is six feet in height, and about one foot and a half in breadth. On one of its faces there is a Latin cross in relief, twenty -one inches high, and about eleven inches across the arms. The foot of this is about three feet nine inches from the ground; in its centre a small Greek cross is incised. On the other face of the pillar will be seen an incised Latin cross. From Shorter Cross we descend to Middlecott, where are three farmhouses, whence our way leads by Thorn. Shortly after passing this farm we enter upon the Moretonhampstead road, and soon reach that border town.