County. | Number of Miles from Richmond .4 Kingston .1 Hounslow...4 M. Raisen .4 Spittal .8 Wragby .6 149 137 .5 300 ..8 306 ..3 Rothbury ...9 303 .9 Pensford. .7 127 .2 290 ..to Chester ....14 Axbridge ..8 Bristol * BUSHEY PARK. A royal park, situated in the parish of Teddington, and hundred of Spelthorne, comprising all the enclosures belonging to the palace of Hampton, excepting the Home Park. It occupies 1100 acres, and is ornamented by long avenues of elm and chesnut trees. His present majesty, William IV., was for many years ranger of this park, prior to his succession to the throne, and resided in the lodge, a square substantial brick building, erected by the Earl of Halifax, and much improved by its royal possessor. A right of passage through this park was established some years ago by the exertions of a humble but spirited individual of the vicinity, who instituted a suit at law for that purpose, and succeeded. George IV., when residing at Bushey Park, had a part of the fore-mast of the Victory, against which Lord Nelson was standing when he received his fatal wound, deposited in a temple in the grounds, from whence it was afterwards removed, and placed at the upper end of the dining room, with a bust of Lord Nelson upon it. A large shot had passed completely through this part of the mast, Interesting and whilst it stood in the temple, a pair of robins had built their nest in anecdote. the shot hole. It was impossible to witness this little occurrence, without reflecting on the scene of blood and strife of war, which had occurred to produce so snug and peaceful a retreat for a nest of harmless birds. Fore mast of Lord Nel son's ship, the Victory, leposited here. Stupendous mountains. The beauty f Butter nere. ↑ BUTTERMERE. The small cluster of cottages composing this hamlet was so inconsiderable at one time that in all probability its existence would scarcely have been heard of, beyond its immediate neighbourhood, had it not been the scene of an affair, which, at the time of its discovery, created much interest in all parts of the kingdom. Its situation is at the extremity of the picturesque lake of Buttermere, over which hangs some of the loftiest steeps of the Cumbrian mountains. The surrounding scenery possesses an aspect of almost savage wildness; the partial exclusion of the sun, the deep hue of the waters, and its apparent distance from all human habitation, gives it an air of gloomy solitude. In the principal dwelling of this obscure hamlet, resided an individual who kept an inn for the accommodation of travellers; his daughter, a fine young woman, then about eighteen years of age, filled the office of waitress, in whic situation she was first introduced to the notice of a young and dashing visitor, who had taken up his residence for a short period at the inn. ostensible object was to avail himself of the opportunity such a spot afforded for char-fishing; but the event proved he had otherwise disposed of his time, for ere long the fair and unsuspecting beauty of Buttermere His BUTTER- 22 Butterworth. 10 Buxton * pa Montgomery .to Sussex pa Suffolk. .chap Suffolk... pa Sussex ..chap Derby. New Malton.6 Pickering.. 4 Middleton Fatal de ception. (such was she styled) bestowed upon the stranger her hand. It is said they were united in the chapel belonging to the hamlet, which is unques tionably the smallest in all England. For a short time the stranger and his beautiful bride hovered around the neighbourhood, sometimes visiting Keswick, where his first arrival in his travelling carriage had given rise to many conjectures until his visiting cards put an end to them, by announcing him the Honourable Augustus Hope. It was in the midst of these halcyon hours that the thunder-storm of detection burst over the head of the unsuspecting mountaineers; officers of justice appeared—the attempted flight of the stranger was intercepted, and he was conveyed to Carlisle on a capital charge the assizes came-he was tried for forgery-found guilty, and accordingly suffered an ignominious death. It appeared from Discovery the papers found in his possession that he had practised the same tion of the detestable deception upon several young females who, with the children perpetrator he had deserted, were famishing for want, whilst he, the base author of their sufferings, was entering into new villanies, and enjoying all the pleasures of a quiet town. The beauty of Buttermere now became an object of interest to all England; in the theatres of our metropolis dramas were acted, founded upon her unfortunate story, and the lake near which she resided was no longer known as the secluded spot it had hitherto been. * BUXTON. The village of Buxton, so celebrated for its medicinal springs, is a chapelry in the parish of Bakewell, in the hundred of High Peak. The surrounding country is mountainous and sterile; but the bowels of the earth are replete with various kinds of minerals; and the smiles of the Goddess of Health, who presides here, renders the cheerless. spot where her favours issue, delightful to the eye and the heart. Dr. Gale was of opinion that its warm springs were known to the Romans, which is evident from various concurring circumstances. Several ancient roads concentrate at this spot, particularly one called the Bath-way, on Bathengate, which commences at Brough, the Roman station just mentioned, and was traced by the late Mr. Pegge. Specimens of Roman workmanship have also been discovered here at different times. Bishop Gibson mentions a well, cemented with Roman plaister, close by St. Anne's Well, where are the ruins of the ancient bath. This well was taken down in 1709, when Sir Thomas Deloes, of Cheshire, in memory of a cure which he had received from the waters, erected a small stone alcove over it. Some capacious leaden cisterns, and different articles apparently Roman, were then found in digging the foundation. The shape and dimensions of the ancient bath, which was about eighteen feet from the present bath-room, were discovered when the building of the Crescent commenced in the year 1781. The spring was situated at the west-end; and at the east might be plainly perceived a flood-gate, by means of which the water was let out. wall had been built with limestone, covered on the outside with a strong rement; the floor consisted of a composition of lime, mixed with coarse The and execu Medicinal springs. St. Anne's well. Ancient bath discovered. BUXTON Rescrted to by all ranks for its waters. Excellent baths. One of the seven wonders of the Peak. Crescent, colonnade, &c. sand, saturated with blood. The remote appropriation of the Buxton waters is apparent; but neither the Saxon nor Monkish annalists furnish any testimony, as to their having been in use in the middle ages; and, though it seems probable, that they were never entirely deserted, there are no certain records of their having obtained a high degree of reputation till the sixteenth century, when Dr. Jones gave them celebrity by a treatise on their beneficial qualities. The first convenient house for the reception of visitants, was erected a short time previously to Dr. Jones's publication, by the Earl of Shrewsbury, on the site of the building now called the hall, a part of which belonged to the old fabric. This building occasioned the waters to be much more resorted to than heretofore by all ranks of people. Mary, Queen of Scots being at that time in the custody of the Earl of Shrewsbury, was brought along with him and his wife Elizabeth, in one of his visits to this place. It appears that the number of visitors who sought health or recreation at these springs continuing to increase, the hall became insufficient for their accommodation, and most part of it was taken down about the year 1670; when a new and enlarged edifice was erected on the spot by William, third earl of Devonshire. This building, having undergone various subsequent alterations to render it more convenient, is still the principal hotel for the reception of company. Within it are the baths, which are five in number: they adjoin to each other, but are in distinct apartments. The gentlemen's bath is in a close room, thirty feet in length, and sixteen wide: along one end and side is a stone bench, for the use of bathers; and at each corner are steps leading into the bath. On the south-east side is a stratum of black limestone, through which the two principal springs rise; but the water also bubbles up in various smaller springs, through the chinks between the stones with which the bath is paved. In the bath for ladies, and in that appropriated to the use of the poor, the water issues through the crevices of the floor. The two other baths are private. It has been calculated that the springs throw up about sixty gallons of water every minute. It requires two hours and fifty minutes to fill the baths. The almost invariable temperature of the water, as it rises in the baths, in 82 degrees of Farenheit's thermometer; but sometimes, it has been one quarter of a degree lower. The water is usually drunk at St. Anne's well, a modern, but elegant little building in the antique style. The water is conveyed thither into a white marble basin, from the original spring, through a narrow grit-stone channel, so nicely adjusted, that its temperature, on issuing into day, is never more than three quarters of a degree lower than in the baths. This well is regarded as one of the seven wonders of the Peak; chiefly from the circumstance that both hot and cold spring water may be obtained within twelve inches of each other, from a double pump, situated on the opposite side of the building to that which contains the basin. The crescent is a very magnificent range of buildings, erected by the Duke of Devonshire, from the design and under the superintendence of Mr. Carr. It consists of three stories; the lowest rustic, forming a beautiful colonnade, extending the whole length of the front, seven feet wide within the pillars, and eleven feet high. The divisions between the windows above are formed by Ionic pilasters, extending to an elegant balustrade which skirts the whole front, the span of which is 257 feet. In the centre are the arms of the Cavendish family, neatly carved in stone, but surmounted with a pair of natural stag's antlers. Each extremity of the crescent contains an hotel: and in the intermediate space are several private lodging-houses, the lower rooms of which form a series of shops. In the larger hotel is the ball-room, an elegant and well-proportioned apartment, with a rich projecting cornice, and various appropriate and beautiful ornaments. The length of this room is seventy-five feet and a half; the width thirty feet two inches; and the height thirty feet. The number of windows in the whole crescent is 378. It is built with grit-stone obtained BUXTON monds. near the spot, and faced with fine free-stone, procured from a quarry about two miles distant. At the back of the crescent, on a rising ground, at the distance of a hundred yards, are the stables, an extensive pile, forming on Extensive the outside, an irregular polygon, but having a circular area, within 180 range of feet in diameter. Round this is a covered gallery or ride, where the stabling, & company exercise on horseback, when the weather renders shelter necessary: near the stables, on one side, is a spacious repository for carriages. These buildings, as well as the crescent, were constructed at the charge of the Duke of Devonshire, who is said to have expended on them the sum £120,000. Besides the hall, and the hotels in the crescent, two other spacious inns-the White Hart and the Eagle and Child—are open for the reception of company; but those persons who reside in the houses belonging to the duke have the privilege of bathing first. To those who are able to join in society, there is something extremely agreeable in the mode of living here: no ceremony is necessary farther than to preserve decent respect; and the mind may be often gratified by the various charms of conversation. Lodgings in private houses, are however generally indifferent; and great inconvenience is experienced from having no common market here. Fruit and provisions, not being the produce of this Fruit and neighbourhood, but brought from some distance, are consequently expensive. provisions expensive. The principal, and indeed sole dependance of the inhabitants, is on the expenditure of its visitors. Several shops for the manufacture and sale of fluor and alabaster ornaments are established. About two miles south-west of this village is a waste uneven piece of land, called Diamond-hill, from its being the place where the crystals, known by the appellation of Buxton diamonds, are found. From June to the end of Buxton dia October, the amusements of Buxton are generally carried on. In these months three assemblies are held weekly, on Monday, Friday, and Wednesday, the two former for an undress, the latter for a dress ball. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, a small theatre, neatly fitted up, is opened, frequented by a respectable company of performers. Adjoining the ball-room, is an elegant card-room open every evening. A pack of harriers is also kept here by subscription. The country is well adapted Hunting. for hunting. Gentlemen also amuse themselves in shooting moor game and grouse, and in fishing for trout and grayling. Those who have a taste for botany and mineralogy may of course meet with abundance of gratification. The libraries are small; but, as dissipation is not prevalent | here, they are well attended. As the chapel at Buxton is much too small for the company, prayers are daily read during the season in the hall. The minister is paid by subscription. Formerly a lecture was delivered after the prayers; but on account of the objection of the rector, this was discontinued; and, for the better accommodation of the visitors, the Duke of Devonshire erected a new church at a little distance, in a neighbouring parish. The poor of any part of England who resort to Buxton, are permitted to partake the benefit of a fund, formed by a collec- Benefit fund tion of one shilling from every visitor who resides here above a day. This is appropriated to the purchase of necessary medicines, and supplying fourteen indigent persons, (who vouch their being proper objects of charity, by bringing a certificate from the minister of their parish and their medical attendant,) with six shillings weekly for one month, and permission to bathe free of expence. Opposite the crescent is the eminence of Stain, or Hans-cliff, on the top of which is a very pleasant walk. "Here is a low, or barrow, of a different shape from any in Derbyshire. It is long, narrow at the top, and slants off at the sides and ends: the length at the bottom is about fifteen yards, and the breadth six yards; its height is bove two yards. This barrow is encompassed by a ditch nearly six yards vide; and has a cavity about six yards in diameter, and one in depth, at ach end, near the south-west and north-west corners. About a mile rom Buxton is a cavern or fissure called Pooles Hole. The entrance to shooting, and fishing for the poor Poole's BUXTON. which is so low and narrow that persons visiting it are obliged to stoop; but it gradually enlarges into a spacious cavity, from the roof of which depend the spiral masses, called salactites, produced by droppings of water, impregnated with calcarious matter. A very considerable mass of this Queen of substance called the Queen of Scots' pillar, owing to the unfortunate Mary Scots' pillar. having once penetrated thus far into the cavern, usually terminates the progress of the visitor. A stream of water runs through the middle of the cave, and falling among the rocks to a considerable depth, adds by its noise to the gloomy horrors of the place. Some aged women act as torchbearers and guides to the spectators of this great natural curiosity, which is deemed the second wonder of the Peak, and traditionally receives its name from a celebrated robber called Poole, who is said to have made it his abode and retreat. sion con verted into a arm-house. * BYFLEET or Byflete is a village adjoining Walton-upon-Thames, situated in the hundred of Godley. This manor was given by Edward II. to his favourite-Piers Gaveston. There was a palace, or some other residence here at a very remote period, for Henry II. dated his letters for arresting the Knight Templars, December 20, from Byfleet. Byfleet Park An old man- contains an old mansion, now converted into a farm-house, reported to have been the residence of Edward the Black Prince, but in reality the remains of a large house, built by Sir Anthony Brown, in the reign of Edward VI. upon a more ancient foundation; it was afterwards enlarged by Sir James Fullarton, the favourite of James I.; it is called Byfleet-place, and stands on a knoll, at the foot of which flows the river Wey. Henry VIII. is reported to have been nursed at this place. Among the customs of the manor is an order "that hogs should be pegged, with two pegs in their noses," and mention is made of rothering cattle; and in the Chapter-house of Westminster, in a bag of Surrey deeds, are some of the bailiffs' accounts of the profits of the manor, amongst which are a pound and a half of wax, eight horse-shoes, and 1s. 1d. for a pound of pepper, all paid for chevage, i.e. for licence for a villain (bondman) to go out of the manor." The church is dedicated to St.Mary, and is an ancient structure of rough stone, plastered, and having a small wooden tower at the west end, surmounted by a slender spire of the same materials; on the south wall of the chancel are two seats under pointed arches, and another of these arches appears in the south wall of the nave. Stephen Duck, a self-taught poet of some eminence, was rector of this parish. He was originally bred a day-labourer, but at length having been brought int notice by some gentlemen who saw a few scattered pieces of his writings (one of the earliest of which was called the "Thresher's Labour"), Queen Caroline became his patroness, gave him an annual allowance, and appointed him keeper of her select library called Merlin's Cave. In 1733, he was made one of the yeomen of the guard, but he had applied himself with such success to Latin, and other branches of literature, that he was considered qualified to take upon himself holy orders, which he did in 1746. In August, 1751, he was made preacher of Kew chapel, became an able and popular preacher, and the next year was presented with the living of Byfleet, which he enjoyed but four years, when he drowned him Steplen Duck, a selfaught poet. |