something like an enriched cornice, from which were suspended numerous stalactites.-At intervals these, attached to the rocky walls, assumed the appearance of drapery of exquisite texture, falling in the most graceful folds on its face, and sometimes streaming down it like fine cords to the bottom.-The contrast of the gloomy cavern and dark rock, so mantled with this beautiful material, had the finest imaginable effect-where the light fell on the pendant points of the stalactite, they looked not unlike brilliant stars, while the drapery and lines appeared like streamers of light.

BLUE JOHN..

We now retraced our steps, examining the Blue John veins at different points in our way. In one place we

found a fine roundish or nodular mass attached to the rock. These, when obtained perfect, present the most beautiful zoned colours, so much admired, on being worked into vases, or cut into slices for cabinet specimens. But the fluor spar, now of most general occurrence in this mine, exists in flattish lumps, about three inches thick, and never exceeds two feet in length, by sixteen or eighteen inches, but pieces of this size are seldom found, being more generally in smaller lumps, from 3 to 12 inches. This kind is called the "Bull Beef," and when sufficiently light or transparent, so as not to require "changing," it exhibits beautiful blueish purple zigzag veins or bands, six or seven in number, interspersed with a yellowish white. The inequalities of the veins being formed by the colours following the interlineations of the cubes of which the mass is composed, these lumps being what are called "amorphous," or indistinctly crystalized. But this stone is frequently so dark in colour, aud nearly opaque, that it is obliged to undergo the process of changing: in which case it is

* One very fine, this size, is now in Mawe's Stone House at Matlock; and also another of the blue curved, or curled spar as the men call it, found many years ago, of great size, being 24 feet long and in girth about 5 feet. It is a cylindrical lump, and the largest in existence.

put into an oven (made on purpose) and gradually heated until it attains to nearly a white heat, when a great part of the colour is discharged, and it assumes the fine brilliant hues of the amethyst.* When this is effected the process is complete, having become transparent; and it is taken out and allowed slowly to cool. In manufacturing the spar, the men are obliged to run it with rosin in order to bind it together, that they may work it easily and without fracture. The flat pieces present a rugged and uneven fracture; sometimes foliated, but generally appearing as if the mass were composed of aggregated prisms. The structure of the rounded or nodular lumps are beautifully divergent. This important mine is situated on the side of the Cliff, directly opposite to Mam Tor; and the "Co" may be seen from the road, which passes within a hundred yards of it.

The charge for exploring the mine, is for one person 2s., for three 4s. 6d., for four 5s., and one shilling extra for every additional person. person. A Bengal light, or a Blast if required, would be an additional charge. We would recommend all parties, before entering this mine, or any other, to ascertain the charge, which will avoid disappointment or any unpleasantness that might otherwise

Occur.

MAM TOR

Is an eminence of considerable interest, not simply from the vulgar errors which have thrown their sable mantle over it, but also from its summit exhibiting traces of an ancient Roman encampment, surrounded by a double trench, the entrance to which is on the west,—and on the north-east side within the vallum, is a perennial spring. Two barrows also exist here. The view from

The Manganese which is generally supposed to be the colouring matter of this substance, acquires this lovely tint by oxidation. The term "Fluor" is derived from the Latin fluo to flow, in allusion to its important use as a flux to the metallic ores.

The vulgar notion is, that the destruction of the face is owing to a perpetual shivering, hence the term Shivering Mountain, and that notwithstanding it has suffered no diminution in bulk.

the top is commanding. The elevation above the valley being about 1300 feet, and the ascent on every side exceedingly steep. The view into Edale on the north is charming, which a fair tourist (before quoted) compares to the "Vale of a Rasselas :" from hence the loftiest hills and some of the loveliest vales of Derbyshire are included in the prospect. But its geological character is of the greatest interest, and to which is owing the destruction of the southern side. This must have been effected within the range of authentic history, as the remains of the Roman trench are clearly traceable to the margin on each side, and are exactly opposite to each other, then, the top here must have been entire. This may have originated in nothing more than what is termed a "land slip." In the first instance, the action of the torrents, down the gully dividing this hill from Tray Cliff, might effectually undermine the base of the Tor and throw it down, and thus lay part of the face bare. This once effected, the the work of destruction would make rapid strides, owing to the nature of the materials of which the hill is composed, these consist of shale and gritstone occurring in alternate layers. The former existing in the greatest quantity; which by the effect of every storm, rain, and severe frosts, is broken up and crumbles to pieces, undermining the solid and less destructible masses of the grit; which when thus gradually overbalanced come down with a thundering noise, bringing tons of the shale with them. When the author went up, on approaching the margin of this ruin, it seemed to overhang in frightful masses at some points. It is said, that fair fields, trees and cottages, once existed at the base, but which were overwhelmed by these slips. It appears trees have been found, pretty entire, at a considerable depth in the mines worked at its foot, which countenance the idea.

The road which used to lead through the Winnets is carried down by the base of this hill and takes us close

After severe frosts this is particularly the case, when the effects of these falls is felt and heard at Castleton.

by the celebrated Odin Mine, worked from time immemorial. It is supposed to have derived its name from one of the Scandinavian divinities,-a proof of its having been worked by the Saxons. The lead ore found here is that termed "potter's ore," yielding about three ounces of silver in a ton of the ore. Here also is found that singular mineral, elastic Bitumen, the largest and perhaps the finest specimen of which in the world is now in the possession of Mr. Ellis Needham, of the Museum opposite the Castle Inn, and who generally keeps a large assortment of all the minerals found in the neighbourhood. We cannot do better than recommend the stranger to Mr. Needham for every particular respecting Castleton and its productions, as he has from a child been conversant with this mine and the products of the neighbourhood.

PEVERIL MUSEUM.

This Museum was once the favoured resort of Mr. Mawe, who at one time invariably spent two months in the Autumn here, deriving from the neighbourhood of Castleton that sound practical knowledge which so much distinguished his various Treatises on Mineralogy and Geology-and which rendered the Establishment in the Strand, London, (now the property of his widow) so attractive to all who pursued, and desired to cultivate that favorite Science of the day-Geology. This is still in connection with the London Establishment, and well conducted by Mr. Needham.-Here we saw a pair of those solid clumsy Spar Urns, one of the earliest specimens of the spar manufacture; and by contrast with the light, elegant, and beautiful forms of more modern days, we could observe the great improvements which had been effected. In this place we found some beautiful things, tables mounted on elegant marble feet, tazzas, obelisks, and inlaying of every kind, with the sight of which we were much gratified, as well as with the obliging attention of the Manager. There is also another shop, equally dignified by the title of a Museum, near to the Peak Cavern (Mr. Hall's), where are some good things of the manufacture of the county, but which

U

we cannot enlarge upon; having been betrayed into more lengthy remarks than we intended by the interest thrown around the old one by Mr. Mawe's annual visits, and we should observe, that in this place he wrote all or the greater part of his Mineralogy of Derbyshire.

CAVE DALE.

Should the traveller have time, a ramble up this singular Dale will repay the trouble.-The extremely narrow and gloomy portal which is between massive overhanging rocks,-the gently opening ravine beyondnarrow, and bounded by steep but grassy acclivities with scarcely a shrub or tree to be seen in its entire length, except those that mantle the crags under or around the Castle; which is here an object of great interest from its remarkable position, occupying the lofty crest on the right side and overhanging the chasm of the Peak Cavern, and if he chooses to ascend to it; as the author did from this Dale, he must have a clear head and a sure foot.-A considerable way up this dell the Toadstone is said to appear, and a singular pillar-like mass is disclosed like those at Staffa or the Giant's Causeway, but not having visited it, the author cannot give it on authority.

Before quitting Castleton we must notice the Church, which is a neat structure and contains three monuments of some interest. The first we shall name is that erected to the memory of the late John Mawe, Esq., of London, the Mineralogist-a simple and unostentatious tribute of affection. The other to the memory of the Rev. Edwd. Bagshaw, a man whose delight was in the service of his Lord and Master, and we name this simply in contrast with another, just the reverse in character, that of Micah Hall, gent., attorney-at-law, who left an inscription to be put on his monument, remarkable for its rude, unfeeling, and independent nature; which is given below in English, although to hide its deformity it exists in Latin.*

* Inscription on the Tablet-"

What I was you know not-What I am you know not-Whither I am gone you know not-Go about your business."