Of Dartmoor and its Bordirland. 65 .a cross cut in relief, extending from what is now the foot of the shaft to where the arms sprung from it; the head also is seen to grow wider as it rises from the fractured arms in the manner of a Maltese cross. The cross cut in relief is an interesting feature, such figures when found upon the Dart- moor examples being almost invariably incised, and it will be noticed that it is very similar to the one sculptured on the slab in the wall of the Church at Meavy. The cross now stands four-and-a-half feet only above the ground. A good view of Yennadon with the rocks overlooking the valley of the Mew, across which is thrown the fine dam of the Burrator Reservoir, is presented from the field in which it stands, and quite near to us is Burrator Wood, where is a fine cascade on the stream that courses through it. Burrator was at one time the residence of Sir James Brooke, and he -died there in 1868. He was born at Bandel, in Bengal, and became Rajah of Sarawak, being succeeded by his nephew. The house is in a secluded situation, and though around it trees are not lacking, yet the many granite boulders by the little stream near it, and in some of the fields, proclaim its proximity to the moor. We shall, ere resuming our journey, return to Sheepstor church-town. It is not known to whom the church is dedi- cated, but there seems to be some probabililty that this was St. Leonard. I have learnt from the Rev. C. H. Crook, the present vicar, that a well formerly existed somewhere near, which was called St. Leonard's Well, and is mentioned in a record of the time of Queen Elizabeth. The care which the vicar has bestowed upon the church .and its immediate surroundings is abundantly evident. Over the south porch are the curious remains of a sun-dial. It is a carving representing a skull wearing a cap rising to a point, resting upon an hour-glass with wings. From the mouth bones are projecting, and ears of corn sprout from the eye- sockets. On a small scroll at the top are the words Anima resurgat and lower down Et sic kora vita ; while beneath are the initials J. £. and the date 1640, with the words Mors janua vita at the bottom.* This very interesting " sermon in stone "
- The initials are doubtless those of John Elford, that family having
resided in the parish from the end of the fifteenth century until 1748. F
