accommodation of the numerously increasing visitors. Still later another spring was discovered to the eastward in the lower part of the dale, which gave rise to a third and very commodious lodging house, but which, did not answer the expectations of the parties speculating, and in consequence, a few years afterwards was sold in separate lots, which has since been much improved and added to, and forms what is now called the Museum Parade. The spring and Bath connected with it are still in existence under the title of the Fountain Gardens, and much beautified by the present proprietor, and constantly used by parties frequenting the hotels and others occupying the private lodging houses.

During the greater part of this period the roads to Matlock, and indeed throughout the Peak in general, were wretched in the extreme. The difficulties of a Derbyshire road became proverbial. In the lower parts of the valleys, in wet weather, the carriages might sink to the axles; and the steep and rugged acclivities over which they were obliged to pass, often presented as formidable obstacles to the traveller's progress. The celebrated author of "Robinson Crusoe" complained bitterly of the approach to this sweet spot; and generally of these Derbyshire Roads, and it appears Mr. Bray, in his tour, equally complained of them, and very gratuitously states, that no carriage had passed through the Dale prior to the time the first part of the Old Bath was built,—a fact that no one is likely to dispute. The only way of access from the North for such vehicles being by way of Bonsall, or Grange Mill, and from the south by way of Wirksworth over Cromford Moor.* But shortly after the year 1780 the roads were much improved, and access to all parts of the country much facilitated, by the establishment of daily coaches through Wirksworth, Newhaven and Buxton to Manchester, from London and Nottingham; but it was not until the new road was made, with much labour, down the course of the stream

* Prior to this time and long after, "Pack horses," as they were called, were universally used throughout Derbyshire as a means of transport.

throughout the lovely valley of the Derwent, by way of Belper, that Matlock and its attractions were fully thrown open to the world. This important improvement was effected in 1815, since which period Matlock has rapidly improved and obtained for itself universal fame, no less, for its beautiful production in spar and marble ornaments, than for its natural beauties-and this has been much advanced by the construction of a canal which is cut as far as Cromford, and the High Peak railway close by; giving full effect to the commercial relations of the Peak, and easy modes of transport for every kind of traffic to all parts of the kingdom.

SOUTH ENTRANCE.

The first object, on entering the Dale from Cromford, which arrests the attention on passing the rocky barrier, is the pretty little gate of Willersley Castle, sadly out of place amongst such scenery, but the eye is instantly relieved from this incongruity by the splendid appearance of the Castle itself, built on a bold eminence at the foot of a rugged but well wooded cliff, with its lovely lawns, and groups of cattle and sheep grazing the river rippling and swelling over its stony bed, laving their bases. Here the road has been made at great expense on the steep side of the narrow ridge which bounds the left and separates the Dale from Cromford. The view in front is remarkably bold and mountainous: the noble peak of Masson is seen raising its lofty head over the windings of the Dale, which is here narrow, finely curved, and

profusely wooded. The road takes a westerly direction, then suddenly turns to the North, disclosing at once the splendid rocks which burst upon the view through a fine opening up the river, exhibiting a beautiful waterfall, foaming over the "weir" and rough bed below it, also the wild Cat Tor, and Masson Mill.* At this point we arrive at the house of the Independent Minister, attached to, and connected with Lady Glenorky's Chapel; on passing which, on the rise of the hill to the left, we come upon Mr. Milnes's offices, a group of cottages and a public-house (lately built), and instantly the Mill comes into view to the right. The clatter of its thousand spindles and the tinckling of its bells, warning the attendant its hank, or proper quantity is completed, instantly strike upon the ear. In alluding to this Mill, so magnificently situated, Dr. Darwin, with his usual power and facility, wrote the following lines, which shews what true genius can do. Invest the most common objects, and some of the meanest occupations, with the mantle of poetry, giving them a beauty and sublimity they do not naturally possess; for instance, let any one observe the 14th line Combs the wide card, and FORMS THE ETERNAL LINE." Here finely contrasting the indefinite extent of the thread that might encircle a world with the mode of its production.

66

"So now where Derwent guides his dusky flood

Through Vaulted Mountains and a night of wood
The nymph, Gossypia,§ treads the velvet sod
And warms with rosy smiles the wat❜ry god
His pondrous oars to slender spindles turns,
And pours o'er mossy wheels his foaming urns

With playful charms her hoary lover wins

And wheels his trident—while the monarch spins.
First with nice eye emerging Naïads cull

From leathery pods+ the vegetable wool;

The View here at night is exceedingly imposing. The spacious mill with its hundred lights reflecting on the river and thick foliage, mingling the din of its wheels with the noise of the waterfall.

§ From the name of the cotton plant, Gossypium.

+ Quantities of the pods or pericarps of the raw Cotton, very like leather, of a brown colour and shrivelled, occur in the bales.

With wiry teeth the revolving cards release

The tangled knots and smooth the ravell'd fleece;
Next moves the iron hand with fingers fine,

Combs the wide card, and FORMS THE ETERNAL LINE;
Slow with soft lips, the whirling can* acquires
The tender skeins, and wraps in rising spires;
With quickening pace successive rollers move,
And these retain, and those extend the rove,
Then fly the spoles the rapid axles glow

While slowly circumvalves the labouring wheel below."

Close by this, on the same side, is an extensive paper mill belonging to Mr. Skidmore who carries on a considerable trade in that important article-paper of almost every quality being produced in the mill. To the left and immediately opposite to the mill is the residence of CHARLES CLARKE, Esq., (a magistrate of the county) built on an elevated platform and commanding a sweet view of the South end of the dale and Willersley grounds-this is strikingly conspicuous by the massive and lofty wall recently built up from the road to give greater space and security to the terrace in front of the house.+ From this we immediately reach the narrow pass at the toll bar, and the first object which strikes the attention is the Post Office, a large square brick building just in front. Upon the left is the King's Head, a shop and lodging houses, and between these and the Post Office at the top of the old road is seen standing conspicuously the New Bath, which if the traveller means to reach he must take this road. It also leads on to the beauteous green as it is called in front of it, and to Walker's Hotel; but on proceeding to any other part of the Bath, the lower road must be taken a little beyond this on passing The Spar shops and cottages to the right and left, and just opposite to Walker's Hotel, the finest view of the

"Can."-Tin Cylinders which receive the Cotton from the card and rollers, and which by their circular motion gives it a slight twist as the Cotton falls and coils into them.

This was the residence of the ancient and respectable family of the Wolleys. The present inheritor married the youngest daughter of the late Adam Wolley, Esq. who was a celebrated antiquary, and an eminent Lawyer." He bequeathed his valuable manuscripts, chiefly relating to this county, to the British Museum."

Bath and the Heights of Abraham is obtained, which cannot fail to surprise and delight a stranger, from its magnificence and beauty. The deep ravine, splendid rocks and river to the right heightens the interest of this view considerably. As we proceed a little further the rough Tufa bank of the fine Old Bath Terrace, lately much dressed and smoothed off by the busy hand of the gardener, bounds the road on the left; above which the Old Bath house stands, a long building of unequal proportions; from its having been added to successively as the number of visitors yearly increased. The road leading to this, and also to the Temple, takes the higher ground to the left by the rude grit stone obelisk. But all the coaches proceed on through the stable yard down to the Museum parade and stop at the Hotel, where most of them change horses, and where we shall leave the traveller, for the present, to get himself quietly domiciled in some one of the many excellent inns or houses in Matlock, and shall proceed in the mean time to give a brief account of these houses, which will form a part of its history. The inhabitants of Matlock Bath amount to about 500.

* This point has already been noticed in our remarks on the "Modern State of the Dale."