BABBICOMBE. 137 



and took possession of the monastery. He was here besieged by 

 the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Sheriff of Cornwall, and at 

 last committed suicide in despair. Carew varies this tale by 

 saying that " well-knowing in so superlative an offence all hope 

 of pardon foreclosed, he abandons his home, gets to St. Michael's 

 Mount,' bequethed a large portion of his land to the religious 

 people there for redeeming his sinne, and lastly causeth himself to 

 be let bloud unto death) for leaving the remainder to his heire. " 

 The story has been prettily versified by Mr. Bird in the fourth 

 vol. of the Forget-me-not. 



There is another legend that when the baronial castles were 

 ordered to be dismantled, the two Pomeroys resisted the call, and 

 at length, in the wild spirit of romance, spurred their chargers over 

 the cliff and were dashed to pieces, preferring a death of freedom 

 to any semblance of submission. 



We now take leave of Berry Pomeroy Castle, with the sincere 

 hope that some one, at no distant day, will do for it and for the 

 South of Devon what MRS. BRAY has so ably done forTavistock. 

 The field is rich ; may the labourer, when he appears be equal 

 to it. " 



BABBICOMBE. 



In our next walk we visit BABBICOMBE. This romantic hamlet 

 is situated in a deep and rocky glen in the parish of St. Mary 

 Church,' the sides of which rise with singular beauty from an open 

 beach. On the slopes of the hill amidst the rocks, villas in the 

 rustic style have been erected, and the peculiar formation of th6 

 valley, has contributed to enhance the effect of art by its own natu- 

 ral resources. Babbicombe is open to the east and is therefore 

 affected by the winds from that quarter. Lofty hills shelter it 

 from the west and south, so that its position with respect to winds 

 is the reverse of that enjoyed by Torquay. There are few accom- 

 modations for strangers, but the wild beauty of the hamlet and 

 the magnificent surrounding scenery ensure an ample influx of 

 visitors. It is also favorably situated for water exercise ; and its 

 convenient distance from Teignmouth and Torquay gives an addi- 

 tional interest to its aquatic excursions. The scenery around 

 Babbicombe is particularly fine. From the hills above we enjoy 

 a prospect which is not surpassed in any part of this district. 

 The ocean expands immediately below us, bounded on the north 

 by the celebrated marble quarries of Petit Tor, and the high land 

 including the rocky creeks of Watcombe and Maidencombe. In 

 clear weather, the line of coast with the intermediate towns of 

 Teignmouth, Dawlish, Exmouth and Sidmouth, and the entrance 

 to the ancient port of Seaton, may be traced as far as the bill of 

 Portland. The cottages of the village add another variety to the 

 scene; among them are the residences of J. Atkins, Esq., Mrs. 

 Whitehead and Mr. Cosserat, and others which are furnished as 



VOL. i. 1833. s 



