142 ANTIQUITIES OF OKEH AMPTON. 



well. The cross with an inscription noticing the care Piety had 

 taken of such spots was common in older times : one of these is 

 quoted with beautiful effect in the " Tale of Flodden field." 



" Drink weary pilgrim, drink and pray — 

 For the kind soul of Sybil Grey,* 



Who built this cross and well." 



Thus Sir Walter Scott, to whom may truly be applied the re- 

 mark of Johnson, that " in him poetry gave grace and splendour 

 to the studies of the antiquarian." 



Without the park wall, toward the south east, is the site where 

 in Henry Ill's day stood the chapel of St. Michael of Ilalstock, 

 above mentioned. In a royal mandate for the perambulation of 

 Dartmoor, addressed to Richard Earl of Cornwall, and others, 

 the boundary is mentioned as running near the eastern side of this 

 chapel. From that period to the present tlie storms of six centu- 

 ries have wrought tlieir work in its destruction. Excepting the 

 line of its foundations, now covered like the rest by the green 

 sward, and a patli leading to the spot from Belston, with its 

 crossing place over the east Okement, still called Chapel Ford ; 

 beyond these, there is little left to point where our forefathers 

 worshipped. Two lonely trees moan to the blast over the fallen 

 memorial of their devotion. But tread lightly as you walk there, 

 my young friends, for the ground is yet holy : and then go, com- 

 mune with your own hearts and undecayed Nature in the wild glen 

 beneath it. 



Nature is young at all times, and so also is Love. It was my 

 wish, knowing how agreeable such a topic must prove to the fairer 

 portion of my auditory, it was my heart's wish, that a tale of the 

 softer passion, might entwine with and adorn this poor research. I 

 regret to add, that the wish has been little better than unsuccessful. 

 And yet there is a love tale occurring for us, and high in the 

 endowments of the youth, and yet higher in the rank of the maiden. 

 But love has very little to do with either of these; and more espe- 

 cially when sought, as we all know it is very, very seldom sought 

 by advances on the lady's part. The accomplished Edward, the 

 last Earl Courtenay, probably felt all this, when honor, and the 



* It was a custom for young people to visit this well on the morning of 

 Easter-day, until within a late period. By the bye, there is a tradition of this 

 cross having been removed from its original site : a remarkable statute passed 

 in Henry viii's reign, enacting, that witchcraft enchantment or sorcery, prac- 

 tised in digging up or pulling down crosses, should be adjudged a felony wUh- 

 out benefit of Clergy. 



