MAWQAN CROSS, MENEAGE. 277 



that too for a reason stronger than would have been derived 

 merely from its location at a junction of roads. 



Had it been a Pagan pillar it would not originally have 

 been called a Cross, and it is not likely that it would have 

 received in modern times the name of a figure which it neither 

 resembles nor displays. 



Its title then, doubtless describes what it was when 

 complete : — a Christian memorial in the form of a lofty way-side 

 Cross. 



The stone itself supplies evidence of this, so we have more 

 than its suggestive site and ancient name to guide us. 



The massive shaft alone remains, but at the top are un- 

 mistakeable traces of its four faces having been so cut as to form 

 a shoulder about 3^ inches deep, with a central tenon about 7 

 inches square, for the support of a mortised upper-stone. 



Probably the head was disc-shaped, or four-holed, with a 

 cross wrought on each of its two principal faces. 



This top-stone has long ago disappeared, as well as the 

 greater poi'tion of the tenon which held it, and one adjacent 

 corner of the shaft, — all broken off at the same time perhaps. 



No record of any remembrance of the cross-head'''' has been 

 traced during the last hundred years and more, but the stump 

 of the tenon shews that such an upper-stone did exist. 



The shaft now extends to a height of about 6 feet 9 inches 

 above-ground. It is tapering and somewhat bulging in form. 

 In section it is nearly square, measuring at the ground level as 

 follows : — across North- West face, 1 foot 10 inches. 

 ,, that opposite, 2 feet. 



,, the side faces, i foot 8 inches, and 1 foot 

 9 inches, respectively. 



The first mentioned, turned towards Gweek, is incised with 

 words in two perpendicular lines, arranged to be read downward. 



The other faces are plain. 



*C. S. Gilbert, Vol.1, p. 187. 



