Of Darttiioor and its Borderland. 169 to the opposite side of the shaft the distance is two feet two inches. The thickness of this cross at the bottom is eight inches, but it is not much more than six inches higher up. It is leaning considerably towards the west. On the eastern face are the modern letters H.C., which I take to mean Hameldon Cross^ and beneath them the letters D. S., while under them again is the date 1854. ^^ shall have observed that on the four barrows, which we have passed on this hill, there were stones set up with the name of each barrow cut on them, and having also the letters D. S., and the same date as we find on the cross. These were placed here to mark the boundary of Natsworthy Manor, at the time it belonged to the Duke of Somerset, and the old cross being also a manor boundary, had the letters engraven on it as well. The original purpose of this cross was doubtless the same as that which it serves at present. Mr. Spence Bate in his paper to which we have more than once referred,* and which I had not seen when my first account of this cross was published, in 1883, gives the date upon it as 1839, in which year, he says, it was set up after having been for some time partially buried in the soil. There is some confusion here, for the date on the cross is as we have given it. About twenty years ago I met one of the men at Widecombe who was concerned in the cutting of the figures and letters upon it, and also on the other boundary stones. Bidding adieu to this storm-beaten old stone, standing in loneliness on this lofty hill, we turn southward, and at the distance of two miles and a half shall reach Bittleford Down, where we strike a road that will lead us to the hamlet of Ponsworthy. We turn up the lane on the right and on gaining the open moor, cross the northern edge of Sherberton Common to Dartmeet Hill, which we descend for some distance. A green path leading from the road will be observed just where the latter makes a considerable sweep to the right. This we shall follow, and when about midway down shall reach an object which is known in the neighbour- hood as the 'Coffin Stone, and which I have included among the relics we are now examining in consequence of its surface bearing several incised crosses.
- Tram, Plymouth Institute vol, vi.
