a huge brick building and some cottages-yet, they serve rather to deepen the interest by foreclosing a part of the ravine, giving it an indefinite character. To the left is the rocky ivy-clad barrier, cut off suddenly a little further on, by a cleft or fault. In front, rising over the houses, is the "Wild Cat Tor," emerging from the thick woods of Willersley, like a fine old dilapidated tower, isolated from its kindred pile by the demolitions of ages. To the right, the winding dale, bounded by the extended limb of Masson, called Harp Edge, covered with plantations and enclosures; over all, majestically towering in the distance; Cromford Moor, the black and frowning Cliff of Stonnis, and Barrel Edge, cresting the whole extreme boundary; and just beneath, but unseen, is heard the din of the waterfall, throwing, by its murmurs, a dash of the romantic into the picture. It is impossible to stand unmoved and unimpressed in beholding such exhibitions of nature's handywork; and it is just such combinations of beauty and sublimity which elevates the character of the scenery of Matlock above that of most other places. The view to the north is fine; but as it has been already noticed from a lower point, close by, in our remarks on the "present state of the dale,” we must pass it over here. In this house they can give good accommodation to upwards of fifty persons.

The terms are precisely the same as the above at the Baths of the Fountain Gardens, which we shall notice here simply for the sake of keeping all the Bathing-places together, although there exists no house of the "public kind" connected with them. These gardens obtained the appellation of " Fountain" from the tepid water flowing up into and over the side of a plain neat circular vase,

placed on a pillar, both made of the grey Hopton limestone, admirably adapted from its durability for such a purpose; this stands immediately in front of the alcove, a structure in the Grecian style, and beautifully situated amongst fragrant bowers, and commanding a good view of the high road for a considerable distance, so that a party may sit quite retired, and observe everything that passes. A pretty view of the river and dale is here laid open-the verdant lawn sloping to the road intersected by the beautiful rill, playing from the Fountain; which, on falling into the circular basin at its foot, escapes from beneath the gravel walk and murmuring over an artificial ledge passes off into the river, giving a refreshing coolness and interest to the whole. These gardens, kept in excellent order, are situated to the north of the Bath, and entered from the road by a flight of grit stone steps. The way to the "Heights" by the Zig-zag leads through them.

HOTELS & BOARDING HOUSES.

THE TEMPLE.

This house was originally built as a lodging house or appendage to the Old Bath for the comfort and convenience of those visitors, who wished to be out of the noise and bustle of a crowded Inn; at a time when the nobility and gentry used to flock to such places as Matlock for three or four months in the Summer; instead of, as now, taking a three months tour on the continent. Then impracticable from the desolating scourge of war; that fearful and bloody struggle, originating in what is termed the French Revolution, and which agitated Europe from its centre to its circumference. Then Matlock as a sweet

and quiet retreat was resorted to by numbers, who annually resided in it from three weeks to as many months, and at such times upwards of 80 usually sat down to the "Table d'hote" at the Old Bath. Now although the visitors to Matlock are far more numerous, that practice is generally given up. The company occupying private rooms, and sometimes forming "pic nic" parties, making Matlock a "point d'appiu," for a few days or a week, to visit the sublime and beautiful scenery and objects of interest in its immediate neighbourhood. And so great is the influx of visitors in this way, during the Summer months, that Matlock often exhibits as much bustle and activity, with the passing and re-passing of carriages and coaches, as in some of the fashionable thoroughfares of London.

The Temple is beautifully situated, raised on a series of terraces, the upper one being partly made ground, being built up on one side, and at an elevation above the valley of nearly 100 feet. The view from this, though confined, is exceedingly beautiful-to the left the eye, carried over all the houses in the valley, rests on the splendid group or line of rocks covered, capped, and fringed with the most profuse vegetation, repeated and reflected back to the eye with a thousand additional charms from the clear glassy surface of the river, which here is seen flowing gently and smoothly at their base; nearly in front the Old Bath with its fine Green, and further on, Walker's Hotel and New Bath appear, over the winding dale. To the right, Pearson's lodging houses and spar shop, and the garden with its lovely parterre full of flowers and shrubs which, with the house, bounds this fine terrace. In the centre of this is an alcove, entwined with the ivy and box, where the visitor may sit and view the sweet prospect, sheltered from the piercing rays of the Sun.* Here the author was once gratified with a most imposing sight one "Sabbath eve in Summer-tide" by the assemblage of an immense number of people to hear that

* A beautiful View is obtained of the river, which is laid open to the eye for a considerable distance, where it turns the angle of the rocks and runs eastward towards Riber Hill.

excellent and extraordinary man, Joseph John Gurney, the Quaker, preach. It was truly impressive. The beauty of the surrounding scenery,-the occasional warblings of the thrush, linnet and goldfinch, from amongst the rocks, -the slight rustling of the western Zephyr, sometimes stiffening into a gentle breeze, through the luxuriant foliage, the deathlike stillness of the assembled multitude as they listened with profound attention to the speaker, whose voice, clear, sonorous, and musical, mingled and blended so naturally with the surrounding objects, giving full effect to the solemn and important subjects which were propounded to the hearers, and exciting in the pious mind those extatic feelings and thrilling hopes of speedily entering on a better state of things, infinitely more glorious than the present and that knows no change. Many a stout and careless heart quailed under the severe rebukes and earnest entreaties of the speaker, the vivid and fearful picture of the natural state of man as compared with West Indian Slavery will never be forgotten. The day had been wet and lowering, but towards evening it cleared up; the rays of the setting sun gilded the tops of the rocks, and the shades of the grey 'eve' began to spread their mellowed and dusky mantle over the bold outlines of the hill on which we stood throwing a deeper interest over the entire scene. This house is now the property of, and under the management of Mrs. Evans, who of late has much improved and enlarged it for the better accommodation of her numerous visitors. It has now passed out of the hands of the Old Bath proprietors about thirty years.

WALKER'S HOTEL-IS situated at the North end of Saxton's Green, and fronts to the garden already noticed in our remarks on the New Bath. This was originally the post-office, which has been removed some years to Miss Shore's, the large brick building near the toll-bar. Being on the same fine Green as the New Bath, this House possesses, from its position, views of equal grandeur and beauty with some of those already described. It is a nice, clean-looking, well-built house. The interior arrangements are good, affording every needful accommo

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dation and comfort. The boats on the river being also the property of Mr. Walker, all visitors to this House have the privilege of using them at pleasure, without charge.*

HODGKINSON'S HOTEL-IS situated on the Museum Parade. Here most of the coaches change horses. It originally formed part of the Great Hotel, mentioned in the historical portion. Some beautiful peeps of the rocks, green, and river, are obtained from the sitting room windows. It has the advantage of one of the finest cellars in the kingdom, being perfectly cool during the hottest season, and generally of one uniform temperament. It is formed in the natural fissure of the limestone rock,originally worked as a lead mine, which passes on under the garden and Temple above, and to a considerable distance beyond. The accommodations at this House are good, and it is much frequented by day parties.

At all these three places there are good stables and coach-houses, but they are separately classed, not being Posting Houses. Besides these, there are three good and very respectable Public-houses, so that travellers of every class may find suitable and agreeable accommodation at Matlock-namely,

Mrs. Bennett's, the King's Head, near the Toll-bar. Mr. Smedley's, Devonshire Arms, Museum Parade. Mr. Wheatcroft's, Rutland Arms, near Masson Mill.

PRIVATE LODGING HOUSES.

ON THE MUSEUM PARADE.-*Mrs. Smith's, Mr. Derbyshire's, Mrs. Bown's, Mr. Newbold's, and Mr. J. Smith's.

On the road leading up by the Hotel to the Heights of Abraham, we find the following :

Mr. William Pearson's, and Mr. Britland's. Both these command beautiful views of the river.

* At this House, as well as at the Old and New Baths, by an ingenious contrivance; the adoption of a water wheel, impelled by a stream of the tepid water; the spit is turned with the greatest steadiness and regularity, so that a party may enjoy a well-cooked dinner, partly effected by the power of a water wheel. The hangings of one of the beds is a beautiful specimen of modern tapestry or needlework, wrought by Nuns in a French Convent, and once the property of Colonel Bilby. This was bought by the proprietor, some years since, at a sale in Mansfield.