AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 121 



This place stands on very elevated ground, and commands 

 an extensive prospect, bounded on the south by the open 

 sea, in the direction of Bolt Head and Bolt Tail. 



Some of the inhabitants used to say, no moon ever shone 

 so brightly as "Marber moon," and perhaps this is not 

 altogether imaginary, for, being raised so far above the 

 mists and fogs of the valleys, there may be less vapour 

 to intercept the light which shines down upon them. 



Batson, Bolberry, Collaton, Combe, Rew, and Shadycombe, 

 are hamlets forming part of the parish of Malborough. 



At Batson (where some of the most productive cider 

 orchards in the kingdom are situated) there is an old ruin, 

 partially covered with ivy, which is still known by the 

 name of "Batson Hall." Tradition says that it was formerly 

 a prison. Bit by bit, the materials which composed this, 

 evidently, at one time fine old place, are removed, to serve 

 as repairs for the adjoining farm-house, which was doubtless 

 a part of the same mansion. There is little now remaining 

 save a window or two, where the fine carved work may 

 still be seen, and a stone mantlepiece, on which a very 

 early date may be deciphered. This place is the property 

 of Mr. Bastard, of Kitley. 



At the upper part of Blanks' Mill Creek is seen Alston, 

 the seat of the late Abraham Hawkins, Esq., author of 

 the "History of Kingsbridge" which was published in 1819. 

 This gentleman was a descendant of Sir John Hawkins, 

 who, as well as his son, Sir Richard, were both celebrated 

 navigators and naval commanders in the reign of Queen 

 Elizabeth. On the south of Alston, but scarcely to be seen 

 from the water, is Yarde House, in the parish of Mal- 

 borough. This is on the barton of Yarde, and was formerly 

 the residence of the family of that name, to whom, according 



