CURIOSITIES OF MATLOCK.

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he lighted three candles to guide our steps through the bowels of the earth! Whilst this ceremony was performing we stood at the entrance, and surveyed with pleasure the scenery which surrounded us. We were taking, as it were, a farewell of day, when our leader informed us that the lights were ready, and having taken them into our hands, we followed him in slow procession. The first thirty yards of the way were partly artificial, he having himself piled up stones at each side, that the entrance into the cavern might be gained with facility. We now descended into this abode by steps, fifty-four in number, which seemed as if we were going down towards the centre of the earth! At the bottom of this descent the cave opened upon us, in grandeur. The profoundest silence reigned in every corner of the recess. Huge masses of stone were piled on each other with a tremendous kind of carelessness, produced by some violent concussion, though at a period unknown to any human creature. From this place we ascended, as it were, the side of a steep hill, and at the top came to a long regular passage of some extent. The roof had all the regularity of a finished ceiling, and was bespangled by spars of every description. From above, from below, and from the respective sides, the rays of our candle were reflected in a thousand directions! Our path had so brilliant a complexion, that my eyes were for some time fixed upon it, though I trust not with the same temper of mind with which Milton has

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made one of the fallen angels contemplate the pavement of heaven :

Mammon, the least erected spirit that fell

From heav'n, for e'en in heav'n his looks and thoughts
Were always downward bent, admiring more

The riches of heav'n's pavement, trodden gold,

Than aught divine or holy, else enjoy'd

In the vision beatific!

When I withdrew my attention from this object, I was shewn little cavities on every hand, which contained spars in the innumerable forms of crystallization. The wantonness of nature in these her operations is wonderful, and oftentimes exceeds our conceptions. The part of the cavern that is ornamented by the brilliancy of the spars and ores, we were assured, delighted the ladies, who, notwithstanding their characteristic timidity, have ventured into this dark abode for the gratification of their curiosity! Proceeding onwards a few yards we came to large flat stones, which lay on one another, not altogether unlike flitches of bacon. How they came there, and for what reason they could be thus laid together, baffled our comprehension. In the next compartment we observed rocks heaped on rocks, in terrible array; and on descending from this part, these rocks assume threatening aspect, seeming as if they would slide down and crush you to atoms! Another scene surprises you, and is gratifying to the senses. An apartment is decorated with what is here called the now fossil. This species of stone is, both from its

a

Its

figure and colour, a resemblance of snow. delicacy cannot fail to please. One portion of this apartment was so stained by this fossil, that it possessed peculiar charms. It had the appearance of a cavity, into which the snow had been drifted by the winter storm! This apparent imitation of nature is certainly a curiosity. Near the extremity of the cavern was shewn a part of it, which might, on account of its appearance, be denominated the piscatory hall! Here are seen fishes petrified and fixed in the strata which form the recess. What kind of fish they were could not be ascertained, but they were discernible. One of the fishes had its back jutting out of the side of the earth, as if petrified in the act of swimming! What a proof that the earth was once in a state of fluidity! We might have seen another branch of the cavern, where was to be found a well of considerable depth; but waving further research, we returned the way we came. After many an ascent and descent, together with numerous meanderings, we reached the entrance, and hailed the light of day with renovated satisfaction!

Next morning, after having secured a good breakfast, we got on horseback and rode on to Chatsworth, the far-famed seat of the Duke of Devonshire, though we understood that his Grace seldom visits this part of the country. The first part of the ride through the vale towards the village of Matlock is impressive. On the right is a rock called High Torr, whose height is said to be 140 yards. About half way up it is covered with

brushwood, but the upper part is bare and inaccessible. The river runs close at the foot, and, by the intervention of a ledge of rocks, flows down them with rapidity. The village is romantic; indeed every part of this spot is marked by a wild and variegated scenery.

Chatsworth house was built in the reign of William the Third, and has been ranked among the wonders of the Peak. The structure, which is quadrangular, is large and roomy; lying in a bottom amidst plantations, and is backed by sterile hills. You approach it by an elegant stone bridge over the Derwent, and on the left, hid among the trees, are the remains of an old square tower, moated round, called Queen Mary's Garden, or Bower; for on this spot the unfortunate Queen of Scots passed many years of her long captivity.

The description of Chatsworth, by Cotton, though drawn so long ago, has the merit of fidelity:

On Derwent's shore stands a stupendous pile,
Like the proud regent of the British isle;
This palace, with large prospects circled round,
Stands in the middle of a falling ground;

At a black mountain's foot, whose craggy brow
Secures from eastern tempests all below;
Under whose shelter trees and flowers grow,
With early blossoms spite of frost and snow!

Having met with a countryman to hold our horses, we alighted, and were conducted into the mansion. We were first shewn the hall, a superb place, decorated with the history of Julius Cæsar,

that accomplished destroyer of the human race ! The chapel was remarkable for its profusion of embellishments. The miracles of our Saviour were delineated by the hand of a first rate artist. The blessings of recovery were depicted in the countenances of the recipients; and the features formed an animated comment on the benevolence to which they were indebted for their restoration. Most of the apartments were richly furnished, and several of the paintings were valuable for their antiquity. In one room we were shewn the bed in which George the Second breathed his last at Kensington; four posts were of plain oak, but the furniture was costly, though the worse for age; in contemplation of this object, interesting ideas rushed upon the mind:

The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,

And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave;

Alike await the inevitable hour:

The paths of glory lead but to the grave! GRAY.

In another room we saw the bed in which Mary

Queen of Scots lay for ment in this mansion. siderably mouldered, has an antique appearance, and cannot be kept much longer in tolerable preservation. Such, however, is the association of our ideas, that objects of this kind, though decayed, awaken our sensibility. One of the last things we were shewn was her grace's cabinet of fossils, which is kept in order, and contains specimens of exquisite variety.

years, during her confineIt was of red damask, con