through the pretty village of Rowsley. The way to the former is to the right, just before reaching Rowsley, 7 miles distant. To visit Chatsworth then proceed to the head of Monsall Dale, through the interesting village of Ashford. Return through Bakewell, see the old church and interesting monuments of the Vernons, &c.; and lastly, Haddon would prove a day of great interest to any party. On proceeding to Castleton (24 miles) for an excursion of two days, visit Chatsworth, then Stony Middleton and its rocky cliffs, through Baslow and Calver (Eyam is half a mile above Middleton;) then by Tideswell lane-head to Castleton, see the wonders there, and return next day by Monsall Dale, Ashford, Bakewell, and Haddon, would prove most delightful. Another drive of deep interest is to Dovedale (13 miles) by Cromford, through the romantic Via Gella, by Grange Mill, over Brassington Moor, through Tissington to Thorpe, where the carriage may be driven into the east end of the Dale, and ford the river to Ilam Inn, and after viewing the Dale see Ilam, the emergence of the Hamps and Manifold in the grounds, also the Church and Chantrys, monument of a grandfather blessing his grandchildren; and a party will find much pleasurable matter to reflect on for one day. Another day may be spent in driving to view the old ruins of Southwingfield, where the beautiful Mary, Queen of Scots, was incarcerated two years. Her narrow triangular cell is shewn, and the groined roof of the cellar is remarkable. The way is thro' the pleasant woods of Lea, under Crich Cliff and thro' Crich Village. Parties may take this in their way to Hardwicke Hall (17 miles) which is a fine specimen of the architecture of the sixteenth century, and contains a superb collection of portraits by the old masters. One other drive we shall point out, that is to the Router Rocks and Druidical Circle, by Rowsley, and take the left hand road before reaching Haddon, which leads by Birchover in their immediate neighbourhood, then home by Winster, Grange Mill, and Via Gella- a remarkably pleasant drive. Our next point must be Buxton, 22 miles distant, embosomed, though more elevated than Matlock, chiefly amongst grit-stone hills, some of the loftiest points of the High Peak, which shield it from the north and east. Buxton is remarkably healthy, and for the potency of its waters in removing all rheumatic complaints and such like it stands unrivalled. Its Crescent is a noble object, reared amongst the wilds of the Peak. The Baths are most commodious and excellent, also the Hotels, Inns and Lodging-houses; and here the stranger, rich or poor, will find every accommodation; and a ready, civil, and obliging attention to his wants. Here, also, there is a good Library, and excellent Shops for the sale of fancy goods, Derbyshire, Italian, &c. Bright and Sons, (jewellers and silversmiths,) Knowles, Crowder's, Boyer's, Evans's, &c. are full of the productions of the county. The company from Buxton make a point of driving down to Matlock, visiting Chatsworth and Haddon in their way. Hence Matlock and Buxton are of essential benefit to each other, and their interest, in some measure, inseparably connected. The direct road is through Rowsley, Bakewell, Ashford (here see the Marble-works,) by the south end of Monsall Dale, and over Taddington Moor. At Bakewell there is one of the best conducted Inns in the kingdom (the Rutland Arms, kept by Mrs. Greaves.) Here many parties come to fish in the Wye, having free liberty if they visit this house; also at Rowsley Inn there is the same privilege, which parties avail themselves of; and at Ashford (Devonshire Arms Inn) 2 miles beyond Bakewell. Matlock Bath is distant from London 142 miles, from Birmingham 56, Cheltenham through Worcester 108, and through Alcester and Evesham 104, Warwick and Leamington 78, Buxton 22, Manchester 47, Sheffield 24, and Derby 16. WIRKSWORTH, 3 miles distant, has a good market every Tuesday, besides plenty of shops for the supply of every necessary of life. Here is Arkwright's Bank, the only one in the neighbourhood, open from ten till four.-There is a Market also held at Cromford every Saturday. GENERAL NOTICES. POST-OFFICE, below Saxton's, near the Toll-bar. Postmistress, Miss BraceLetters for Bakewell, Sheffield, and the North, must be put in by ten in the morning; and for Derby, London, Birmingham, Nottingham, and the South and West, generally by two, afternoon.-The Delivery of the Letters from the South and North is about one hour after the time above stated.-But any party may get them earlier by sending. COACHES. To the North, morning. ..... 1 to eleven. Royal Mail, London to Manchester, and Buxton Peveril of the Peak, ditto ditto ditto past Ditto past three. South, afternoon. 20 minutes past 2. A past 5. A past three. FLYS, OR OPEN CARRIAGES, WITH One horse, per mile, 1s...... To Church, Cromford 3s. 6d.-Do. Matlock 5s. Parties keeping these are, Mrs. Cumming, Old Bath-Mr. Saxton, New ditto (posting houses)-Mr. Wood, Mr. J. Smith, Mr. Fry, and Mr. Poundhall. PONIES AND DONKEYS, 1s. PER HOUR. All these are in constant attendance, and may be had at a minute's notice. From Manchester to Liverpool, being a matter often enquired after, they are here given. Leaves at.. .... 7 (Mail) 9 (Mail) .11 A past 7 10 12 3 A past 5 7 Fare, 5s 6d This line only stops at Newton, and is timed to an hour and a quarter. Fare. 4s Time in running about two hours. GENTRY, PROFESSIONAL MEN AND ARTISTS. Bird Mr., Artist, Masson Cottage. BOARDING SCHOOL.-Miss Saxton's, Matlock Bridge, delightfully situated, and an excellent School. Near the toll-bar, Fox's Lodging-house. GEM OF THE PEAK, PART II. CONTAINING A TOUR FROM DERBY TO MATLOCK; EXCURSIONS ΤΟ CHATSWORTH, HADDON, MONSALL DALE, DOVEDALE, BUXTON AND CASTLETON, &c. APPROACH TO MATLOCK FROM THE SOUTH. TOUR FROM DERBY. DERBY is delightfully and most advantageously situated in the most southern part of the county, on the banks of the Derwent, amongst fertile plains and undulating hills-features, the peculiar character of the Saliferous formation on which it stands-a portion of that fine fruitful belt which intersects England; running southwest and north-east, from the mouth of the Ex in Devon to the Tyne, at the foot or lower escarpment of the carboniferous limestone series which abounds with coal, ironstone, and lead ore, forming the wealth and strength of our nation, and nourishing and employing the most numerous of our population. As Dr. Buckland justly remarks on this fine geological portion, it will be found the most densely populated, and forms a striking contrast to the two other geological divisions, bands, or belts, dividing our country; the one being almost wholly agricultural,and the other mountainous and chiefly barren. Derby thus admirably situated, and in the immediate neighbourhood of its mineral wealth, has risen to great importance within the last half century. The easy transit of all the products of the county to every part of the kingdom by canals, &c. has contributed greatly to its advancement. Within this period it has more than doubled its population, which now consists of more than 30,000, and it is still rapidly increasing, owing to the spirited character of its inhabitants. Its silk mill, erected and completed in the year 1718,* was one of the first established in this kingdom. It is distinguished by its manufactories of lace, galloons, and silk hosiery,several new and extensive mills being built within these few years, and the machinery manufactured in Derby not surpassed by any even in Manchester or Nottingham. It has also its manufactures of wrought iron, iron castings of all kinds, paint works, &c. Its * Silk weaving has been lately introduced. beautiful porcelain manufactory, spar and marble works, its fine shot tower (a conspicuous object,) and its corn mills, for which it has been long remarkable, are all important branches of trade and commerce, and never failing sources of industry and wealth to its inhabitants.* The Market Place is quadrangular and spacious, occupying more than an acre, and surrounded with good buildings and shops. The Town Hall, a fine building, occupies the chief part of the south side, and it altogether forms a magnificent square,-seen on a market day, when crowded with stalls and the neighbouring peasantry, a stranger may then have some idea of the activity and energy of its inhabitants, and of the dense population of the surrounding districts. Its new County Prison and spacious Church, All Saints,† with one of the finest towers in the kingdom, must not be overlooked in this brief sketch of the town of Derby, but as it is not our object to give a history of this interesting place we must quit the subject,—it is simply noticed, being the chief town in the county, and as a starting point from the south to proceed to the "Gem of the Peak," its great ornament, and from which it is only distant 16 miles. In proceeding from hence. we are presented with the most varying, beautiful, and sublime scenery; increasing every mile in power and intensity, till the traveller is landed amongst the rocky wilds and surpassing scenery of Matlock Bath. On leaving Derby, the spacious road, ornamented on both sides by the mansions and grounds of the neighbouring gentry and wealthy tradesmen, is on a gradual ascent till it attains the fine eminences of the new red *The beautiful porcelain manufactory, silk and lace mills, and Hall's spar and marble works, are well worth seeing. Parties might spend a day to great advantage in lounging over these interesting establishments. + In the eastern division, on the southern side of this church, is the dormitory in which are the monuments of the Cavendish family; and several of that illustrious house are buried in the vault beneath. Here is a monument of the celebrated Countess of Shrewsbury, who built Chatsworth, Hardwicke, and Oldcotes, &c. who died in 1607. The junction of three principal railways, namely the North Midland, Midland Counties, and the Derby and Birmingham. |