40 The Ancietit Stone Crosses CHAPTER V. The Via Ctuds of the Augustine Canons* Hemerdon Ball — Plympton St. Maurice— Plympton Castle — The Priory — Church of Plympton St. Mary — Cross by the Torry — BrowDcy Cross — Base of Cross at Beatland Corner — Shaugh Cross — Shaugh Church — The White Thorn — The Dewerstone — Cross near Shaden Brake — Cross near Cadaford Bridge — Lynch Down — Marchants Cross. The road from Cornwood to Plympton, it is more than probable, takes nearly the same route as the old track which we have already referred to as running westward from Buck- fast, and which we entered upon at Spurreli*s Cross. It again becomes our path, and will conduct us from Cornwood to Lutton, whence we shall follow it through Sparkwell, a hamlet in Plympton St. Mary parish, close to which are Goodamoor and Beechwood, and a little to the west of it Hemerdon, three seats delightfully placed in well- wooded grounds. On our right, but hidden from view by the trees, rises the eminence known as Hemerdon Ball, on the summit of which is a plantation, forming a conspicuous object in the land- scape for many miles round. The slopes of the hill, which is at the extremity of a spur of the moor, are now cultivated. Passing Hemerdon we descend West Park Hill, and noticing the substantial farmhouse of Old Newnham near its foot, and the lodge at the entrance to the modern residence, shall soon after turn into a lane on the left. This will conduct us to the higher part of Ridgway, whence a walk of a few minutes will bring us to Plympton St. Maurice, otherwise Plympton Earl. Here near the south porch of the church is a very fine cross, the ancient shaft of which has a not uninteresting history. It owes its preservation to Mr. J. Brooking Rowe, a painstaking and trustworthy antiquary, who has done a great deal in the direction of furnishing us with historical accounts of the religious foundations in the county, and who has indus- triously collected much information relative to Plympton
