Near the town of Cerne on the southern slope of Trendle Hill there may be seen the outline of a remarkable figure of a man, 180 feet high and with outlines about 2 feet broad. Various traditions are held concerning the origin of this figure; one being that it represents a Saxon deity Heil (Hercules), and another that it serves as a memorial to Cendric, king of the West Saxons; while the most popular legend speaks of the figure as that of a giant, who, after eating some sheep, indulged in a post-prandial nap and was pinioned by the inhabitants of the town, who in this way judged his dimensions. _Chacun à son gout!_--for there is doubtless a grain of truth in all three stories, and failing opportunity and inclination for authentic research, imagination and prejudice may be allowed to have free play. TAVISTOCK (_Mitred Benedictine_) 961, Founded by Ordgarus, Earl of Devonshire and father of the infamous Elfrida, Queen of Wessex--981, Building completed by Ordulph--King Ethelred endows it with land and liberties--997, Burnt and despoiled by the Danes--11--, Henry I. becomes a benefactor to this house which is re-established--1513, Tavistock becomes a mitred abbey--1539, Dissolved. Annual revenue, £902, 5s. 7d.--The estate given to the first Lord Russell by whom it has descended to the family of Bedford. Tavistock, like Buckland, is on the Tavy, and here, amidst beautiful country in a trough of hills, stands the skeleton of a formerly magnificent structure, once inhabited by Benedictine monks. Typical Devonshire scenery, both stern and gentle, with its bleak moorland and well-wooded, peaceful valleys, is nowhere more strongly exemplified than in the surroundings of this abbey, for though sheltered in a fertile valley, the dreary Dartmoor lies very close, and stretches away in the far distance, adding a grim and sombre tone to the aspect.