THE EBBING AND FLOWING WELL. The next object of interest in the neighbourhood is this extraordinary well (one of the wonders of the Peak) but which appears to be used as a watering-place for cattle, and is a small pool of irregular shape, about three feet deep. It is situated at the foot of a steep hill close by the turnpike road, at Barmour Clough, about five miles from Buxton, on the road to Castleton, consequently the traveller may examine this well on his way to that interesting place. It is an intermittent spring, the frequency of its action depending upon the quantity of rain which falls, so that in dry weather the stranger may wait in vain for the manifestation of this wonderful phenomenon, but in very wet seasons it will ebb and flow sometimes twice in an hour. The action when it first commences is scarcely perceivable, except by the gentle movements of the blades of grass or other light bodies which float upon its surface, but before the expiration of a minute the water issues with considerable force from several small apertures on the south and west sides. It continues to flow about five minutes; and in this space of time it is supposed to throw out 120 hogsheads of water. After remaining a few seconds stationary it begins to run back and speedily resumes its original quiet appearance. The "modus operandi" of this spring can only be accounted for on the principle of a siphon; a beautiful illustration of which may be exhibited by the "Tantalus cup," thousands of which have been imported into this country from China within the last 20 years, and are now so common, that any particular description of it would be almost superfluous.* A basin of water in the *This cup is about the size of a coffee cup, with a grotesque chinese figure (hollow) fixed in the centre; inside of which is a small hollow tube extending more than midway up the figure. A small hole at the bottom of the figure communicates with the tube; therefore the moment the cup is filled with water so as to reach the top of the tube inside the figure, the superior pressure of the atmosphere on the greater extent of water surface in the cup expels the air from the tube; and the water flows rapidly through it till the whole is nearly exhausted, by entering the figure when the adjoining eminence, supplied by infiltration, with water from the surrounding districts, and connected with a narrow channel or duct on the same principle, and proportional to the extent of the mass of water, would produce the same effect. Eldon Hole.-About two miles further, not far from the village of Sparrow Pit, in Peak Forest, is situated this remarkable chasm; another wonder of the Peak,and if the legends of the past speak true, decidedly the most wonderful of all, as it has been the subject of many a fearful tale, and furnished ample food for the "gossip" of many a long winter's night, till perhaps the knees of the party "smote together" for very dread, and their breasts heaved in breathless emotion-such is the effect of ignorance, truly said to be the mother of superstition. Men have been supposed to be murdered and hurled down this fearful pit,-and like the gulph of the Speedwell Mine, it has been considered unfathomable, and for any thing the "Idealists," knew it might have been an opening direct to the centre of the earth, or the antipodes. In the days of our good "Queen Bess," it was a matter of such notoriety, that the Earl of Leicester had a man let down into it, who when drawn up again (it is said) was speechless, and shortly afterwards he died,* which gave a considerable dash to the marvellous.Catcott has noticed it at some length in his treatise on the Deluge, and instanced it as a proof of his theory. It has been also honoured by a particular notice in the Philosophical Transactions (vol. 61, page 250) furnished by a Mr. John Lloyd, F.R.S. who descended into it in 1770, and somewhat dissipated the mists and thick equilibrium is restored and the action ceases. We have only to imagine such a phenomenon or something similar to take place in the case of this well and the whole is explained. There can be no difficulty about the reflux of the water after its flow, as that may be accounted for by supposing the existence of many other channels connected with the well through which the water would pass after it ceased to flow. * This event forms an amusing episode in Hobbes' Latin Poem De Mirabilibus Pecci.-Cotton, the natural Poet of the Peak, has given an elaborate account of this place, darkness which enveloped it, by giving a clear and minute description of its interior, and by which the poet Cotton's 800 ells, and the celebrated Hobbes 200, are reduced to about 76 yards. In fact it is nothing more than a natural cavern with a perpendicular opening, which renders it difficult of access, hundreds of which exist in the limestone, and many much more spacious. The opening at the top ranges northwest and southeast, and is about ten yards wide and thirty long, but diminishes considerably towards the bottom. The interior of this cavern Mr. Lloyd describes as consisting of two parts, one like an oven; the other like the dome of a glass-house, communicating with each other by a small arched passage, besides there are many other openings and passages. But Several have descended into it since Mr. Lloyd did, but as there is nothing in the description to interest the general reader, we shall quit Eldon Hole and proceed by Mam Tor and the Winnetts to Castleton, which decidedly forms one of the greatest attractions in Derbyshire. as we wish to retrace our steps according to our original plan, we will just simply notice the pretty village of Fairfield and its Church, which has been hitherto overlooked, although within half a mile of Buxton. Its church-yard seems to have been the principal burial ground of the people of Buxton for a long period. The Church forms an interesting object in the landscape, and the village contains some comfortable lodging houses for company. Besides the Church at Buxton,* there is a Methodist and an Independent Chapel. To conclude our notice of Buxton, an author remarking on its advantages observes that, "to the mineralogist it offers many arare and beautiful fossil; but to the botanist it is a source of incalculable delight; for there is scarcely a plant indigenous in Britain which may not be found on the mountains or in the vallies in its neighbourhood. The Rev. Mr. Spencer having obtained higher preferment (made Bishop of Madras,) the Living of Buxton has been given by the Duke of Devonshire to the Hon. and Rev. Francis Grey, sixth son of Earl Grey. Mr. Grey is in his 25th year, and will in future reside at Buxton. To the angler the pellucid waters of the Wye and Dove furnish the beautiful finny tribes of trout and grayling, so celebrated by Cotton and Walton. To the sportsman, during the shooting season, the extensive Moors belonging to the Duke of Devonshire and the Earl of Derby, abounding with grouse, partridges, snipes, dottwell, plover, &c., have their attraction." Before we leave Buxton we have still to notice the strong Chalybeate spring, which exists on the north side of the Wye, near the George Inn, over which is erected a neat stone structure to preserve it for the use of visitors. This water being mixed with that of St. Ann's proves a gentle aperient, and we should also observe that behind St. Ann's Well exists one of the reputed wonders of the Peak, and that is a double pump, which throws up both cold and hot water, but this matter is sufficiently understood by the existence of two springs in juxta position. We shall now proceed to take up our line, and tract our way through Middleton Dale, Eyam, &c., to Castleton, all which are still in the vicinity of Buxton, and within a day's drive. EXCURSION TO CASTLETON, BY CHATSWORTH AND EDENSOR, BASLOW, CALVER, The first time the author took this interesting trip from Matlock, was in the pleasant month of May, and with a friend whose object was to sketch from the magnificent scenery in the neighbourhood of Castleton, while the author's was to examine and explore the dark mines of Tray-Cliff in search of the beautiful Blue John or Fluor Spar. We were off very early, as our object was to return the same evening, and still to enjoy a long day in the High Peak. The morning, fortunately, was exceedingly propitious, and therefore with a light heart and buoyant hope of experiencing a day of much enjoyment, we started a quarter before 5. As the line of route has been fully given already, we shall beg to refer the reader to our 69th page for this purpose, and also to the 109th, and to our remarks on the peculiar appearance of the gritstone crags, page 110; where he will find himself brought to the top of the fine eminence about a quarter of a mile above Edensor Inn, and a mile above Chatsworth after passing through the Park.* On attaining this point we took the right hand road down by the plantation and a farm, and in about a mile and a half we arrived at Baslow, joining the Bakewell road to Sheffield, a little before we entered it. The village is beautifully situated on the meadows skirting each side of the Derwent, over which a good substantial bridge is built. The church stands close by the brink of the stream, and forms a fine feature with the bridge in this quiet * Having given directions how to proceed from Buxton to Castleton, we prefer this line to commence with because by far the greater number of Buxton visitors come from the South, and often wish, especially if pressed for time, to take Castleton first.—I would recommend such parties to see Haddon early, then Chatsworth, and get to Castleton for dinner; where they can remain all night if they wish: view the Wonders of the Peak early in the morning, then to Buxton, taking a peep at Eldon Hole, and the Ebbing and Flowing Well in their way. |