fvhtphiir^ iwir ite Stetxtmx&ing*. 



CHAPTER I. 



•• I am very sure that the plan of reading general history by the light 

 of local is one that may be applied far more widely than has hitherto 

 been attempted. * * * Every parish has its church, seldom without 

 some relic, some carved tomb, some mouldering achievement, or heraldic 

 shield, which may be made to tell its own story of the past. In most 

 there is the old manor house, the revolutions of which, as Southey has 

 somewhere told us, would be as interesting and as full of instruction 

 as those of England herself, could they be as fully chronicled ; and 

 even where these arc wanting, the open country, the woods, the moors, 

 and above all, the ancient roads, may be called on for assistance." — ■ 

 It. J. King's Dartmoor. 



About ten years ago — that is, in the spring of 1861- — a 

 Bill was presented to Parliament, praying for the authoriza- 

 tion of a branch railway, to connect the town of Kingsbridgo 

 with the South Devon line. This Bill was passed, but not 

 acted on. A second Bill was presented and passed in 18GG. 

 The line was commenced; a bridge was built (the first 

 stone of which was laid amidst rejoicings) ; then — difficulties 

 arose, and the work was abandoned. Again, in 1873, a 

 third Bill was presented ; but this was ultimately, and very 

 reluctantly, withdrawn, from cnusos which it is not needful 



