though similar in some respects, yet differ so much in others, as to induce CHAP. I. some persons to visit them all.' "Facies non omnibus una Nec diversa tamen, qualem decet esse sororum."✩ Ovid, M. lib. XI. v. 13. "The Rutland cavern, in the Heights of Abraham, is remarkably easy of access: the first part of it is a long level path, formed with great labour by miners in the solid limestone, and leading to several very lofty cavities and vaults of great extent, ramifying, as it were, and spreading in different directions. At the side of one of these an easy ascent, by a great number of steps, conducts the visitor to numerous other cavities and vaulted passages amidst rocks of the most grotesque forms and craggy appearance, extending far into the inner part of the mountain. This cavern contains some springs of clear water, and is adorned with various brilliant crystalizations, and different metallic ores, which are here commodiously presented to the view in their native state: 'Here ranging through her vaulted ways, On Nature's alchymy you gaze, See how she forms the gem, the ore, "The view of the heights of the romantic dale below, which appears very striking at all times, is peculiarly so to the spectator, when, having traversed this extensive cavern, he first emerges from the dark recesses of it. Rutland Cavern. Cumberland "The Cumberland is a single cavern formed by the union of two, which Cavern. have been visited as objects of curiosity almost thirty years. This is shown by Mr. Peter Smedley, who keeps a spar-shop opposite Walker's lodginghouse, and is situated at a considerable distance up the hill behind that and the New Bath. It extends to a very great length, and possesses this advantage, that the visitor is not obliged to retrace his steps to the part where he entered, but finds an exit at the other end of it. The roofs of the numerous cavities within it are of a different kind from those in the Rutland cavern, having less the appearance of arches; and the multitude of massy stones, lying within them, appear to have fallen from the roofs above, through some violent concussion of the earth, by which they have been disjointed and thrown into horrid confusion. Several parts of this cavern have a very brilliant appearance, and exhibit different substances, which will be inspected by the curious mineralogist with great interest and satisfaction. Fluor "The Fluor cavern is situated towards the top of the wood behind the Cavern. Old Bath, and though much less extensive than either of those just mentioned, it will not, on that account, by many persons who are inclined to visit caverns, be thought undeserving of particular notice. The way up the wood has been improved, and the trouble of ascending it is compensated by the view of the scenery it exhibits: the passage into the cavern These not alike, nor yet unlike we deem, Fluor CHAP. 1. is rendered commodious, and the souterrain visit easy and agreeable. The different spars in this, as well as in the other caverns, are brilliant and interesting; the strangely grotesque forms of the objects it contains, highly amusing; and the numerous lights placed in its various recesses, produce a very impressive and pleasing effect." Another branch of the great rent through the stratification of the county, which exposes the cavities of the lowest limestone yet discovered in this island, extends across the vale of the Dove. There, " in a vast mural mass of detached rock, which extends along the edge of a precipice on the right, nearly half way up the side of the dale, is a magnificent natural arch, called Reynard's Hall. Its shape nearly approaches to the sharply-pointed gothic:* its height is about forty feet, and its width eighteen. Through this, in the body of the rock, the eye distinguishes the mouth of a cavern, which, from the situation so immediately above the opening of the arch, excites an idea that the latter has been formed by some tremendous burst of water, discharged through that aperture, from the interior of the mountaiu. On scrambling beneath the arch, however, up the steep path to the cavern itself, this idea is not strengthened, for the extent of the excavation is little more than forty feet; its height is about fifteen. The fatigue of ascending is repaid by the view from the entrance, which, though confined, is extremely beautiful. The opposite side of the dale is covered with a mass of hanging wood, from the midst of which a large detached rock, solitary, craggy and pointed, starts out to a great height, and forms a very grand object. This cavern is called Reynard's Hall; and another small opening in the rock below it, on the right, has been named Reynard's Kitchen. Near this extremity of the dale is another large cavern, called Fox-holes; and others of inferior note may be found in different parts of this interesting chasm."+ A list of remarkable Natural cAVERNS and HOLES in the ROCKS, in and near to Derbyshire. Bagshaw's Cavern (or the Crystalized Cavern) Bamford hole, a Cavern in Middleton dale, Creswell Crags, E of Elmton, adjoining Notts. Devil's Hall, in Fore-side mine, at Castleton, Dove-hole Cave, in Dove-dale, near Hansongrange, in 4th lime. Dove Pit, at Dowall, in Hartington, a very deep open hole, in 4th lime. "Here entering, I refreshed myself within No haven' on the moors, this gloomy hall,— Which yet pleased me; for here I might recall This cave, yon shepherd's abbey with its fold, Brought, like a sacred vision of the days of old. Edwards's Tour of the Dove. † Beauties of England and Wales. Drake Mine Cavern, in Winster, in 1st lime. Duss Pit, in Eyam, an open hole, in 1st lime. Elden Hole, N of Peak forest town, a very deep open hole, in 4th lime, connecting with vast lateral caverns below. John Lloyd, esq. of Wigfair, in North Wales, descended into this hole, and has fully described it, in the 61st vol. of the Phil. Trans. Godfrey Hole, E of Hopton, a small cavern, in Golconda, a very large cavern, in Griffe, near Harboro-Hall, in the rocks NE of Brassington, Merlin's Cave, S of Eyam church, in 1st lime, owner. Orchard Mine Caverns, in Wirksworth, in 1st Peak's-Hole, at SW corner of Castleton town, Pool's Hole, m. SSW of Buxton, a long cavern, Reynard's Hall and Cave, caverns, with a natu- A number of Shake-holes, less remarkable for their size or appearance than the above, and often occurring near to the principal Faults, are called Swallow-holes, from their swallowing or absorbing small rills, and even large streams of water, in some instances; this following, is A list of WATER-SWALLOWS, or HOLES in the ROCKS, into which streams of water fall and disappear, in and near Derbyshire. Aldwark, NW (Ducket-Wall) near Brassington, Alsop, one third m. SE from shale, into 4th Chelmorton, at S end of the town, from 3rd Dale Head, W NW of Tideswell, from 3rd toadstone, into 4th lime. Dove Hole, E of Peak forest, from shale into 4th lime, on great L. F. Dowall, NW, in Hartington, from sunk piece of shale, into 4th lime, at its boundary fault. Foolow, in Eyam (water-fall) a large open hole in 1st lime, from shale, at a fault: a waterfall. Grindlow, near Eyam (Dowse-hole) a deep open hole, in 1st lime, from shale. Grindon, near Buxton (W of Counters' Cliff) from shale, into 4th lime, near great L. F. Hazlebadge, near Great Hucklow (S of Houses, and Pippin's hole) from shale, into 3rd lime, at great L. F. Hopton E, from shale, into 4th lime, near great Monyash E (in Ricklow dale) in 1st lime. Peak Forest, S (Dam-dale) from 3rd toadstone, Perry-Foot, N of Peak forest, a large open hole, Rushop Edge, N of Peak forest, 8 or 9 holes, Tideswell, S of the town, from 2nd toadstone, Tunstead W and S, near Wormhill, from 3rd Wetton, W NW, in Staffordshire (Darfa) Mani- CHAP. I. Springs of water are numerous in Derbyshire, and many of them are Springs. justly celebrated for their medicinal qualities. The origin of springs has been the subject of much discussion amongst theorists, but practical men, such as civil-engineers and miners, generally are of opinion, that springs are occasioned by the filtration of rain-water through porous strata, which continues descending until it meets with a stratum of a more compact and impervious nature. The rents that intersect the limestone, sometimes afford passages for the water, and sometimes it is found expanded through beds of gravel, clay, or other soils. Some springs are remarkable for their abundant and constant streams of pure water, while others are variable, intermittent, or turbid. Some occur in high and rocky districts, where their supply of water is often small, while others having first percolated in large quantities through higher grounds, rise with velocity in artificial wells CHAP. 1. Springs. or borings and overflow the surface. Of the medicinal virtues of some springs, of their mineral impregnations, and of the warm and hot waters emitted by a few, we shall endeavour to give our readers some information, after having first transcribed the following list from the work of Mr. Farey. The following is an alphabetical list of the notable SPRINGS of WATER in Aldwark W (Ducket-wall) on 3rd toadstone. Allestree Town, on the great Derbyshire fault. Alport, near Yolgrave, petrifying formerly, at the great Bakewell fault. Alton SE, in Ashover, ochrey and corrosive, in 3rd coal-shale. Ashover, chalybeate, from shale; SW (Lexley) dried up. Bakewell Town (at W. Watson's) warm chalybeate, a bath formerly. Ballidon SE (Hipple) large, temporary, in 4th lime, near the great limestone fault. Barmoor NW, in Peak forest, intermitting. Berley in Eckington (Spa) chalybeate, an open bath formerly; E (Moor-sough) ochrey and corrosive. Bradley S, chalybeate, near the great Derbyshire fault. Bradwell S (Well-head) large, out of moss rake; N (Edingtree) warm, salt; and E, sulphureous, on shale. Brassington (Thacker-well) sulphureous; and NE (Harboro-well) on 3rd toadstone. Bredsall SW, ochrey, near the great Derbyshire fault. Bretby SSW (decoy wood) petrifying, from yellow lime. Brough, near Hope, warm chalybeate, in shale. Buxton Town, hot, 82 degrees, and baths; chalybeate, 52 degrees to 55 degrees, in shale, these on opposite sides of the great limestone fault, W of Buxton, cold, and a bath; and (Wye-head) on fault. Castleton, chalybeate; and SW (Rushop or Russet) very large, at the great limestone fault. Chelmorton NE (Five-wells) on 2nd toadstone. Chesterfield Town E, chalybeate, 10th grit rock. Cowley, SW of Dronfield, sulphureous, an open bath. Crich W, by a fault. Cromford Town (Sough) large, warm, from gang and bage mines, &c. Crowdycote in Hartington (Crowdwell) large, Duffield (Fishpool-flat) 2 chalybeate. beate, in shale. Edale Chapel SW (Barber booth) ochrey, in shale. Flagg Town, near Monyash (Wells) on 2nd toadstone. Grange-mill N, near Winster (Shothouse) on 2nd toadstone. Hargate-wall E, in Wormhill, and 3 m. NW, on 2nd toadstone. Hartington NW, on Castern Low (Well) on 4th lime wayboard. Heage W (Nether-end) chalybeate, in 3rd coalshale. Hope, chalybeate, in limestone shale. Hurdlow SW, in Hartington, on 3rd toadstone. Ilam S, Staffordshire (Manifold) in the garden; and SW (Hamps) very large, in 4th lime, near great limestone fault. Kedleston Park, SE of the house, sulphureous, salt, 47 degrees (Pilk. vol. I. p. 272) a bath, in red marl. Kinder E, in Glossop, ochrey, in shale. Kniveton S (Agnes and Mudge) sulphureous, in shale limestone. Little Longsdon W (Monsal-dale) petrifying. Litton SW, on 2nd toadstone; and SE (Cressbrook-dale) petrifying. Loads W, in Chesterfield (Sida) pretended fattening, &c. Ludwell S and N, in Hartington, very large, in 4th lime; near the great limestone fault. Matlock, chalybeate, in shale. Matlock Bath (old Bath) hot, 68 degrees, and baths; and (new Bath) hot, and baths, by faults. Middleton by Wirksworth W (Boota) on 3rd toadstone; and N NW (Wood) hot, formerly, and an open bath, in Bonsal dale. Middleton by Yolgrave E (Well-head) large, in 1st lime. Millington-green E, near Kirk-Ireton, sulphu reous. Morley-park, near Heage, chalybeate. Oakerthorpe in South Winfield (Sough) ochrey. Oakthorp N, in Measham, an overflowing coal shaft. Over-Haddon S (Wells) on clay wayboard; and SW, large, at great Bakewell fault, in Robinstye mine. Parwich Town, temporary, from 4th lime. Quarndon Town, chalybeate, 494 degrees, near the great Derbyshire fault. Scarcliff SW (Palter-head) on yellow lime. Shottle in Duffield, sulphureous, in shale. Simondley SW, in Glossop, ochrey and corro sive. Slaley SW (Mary-grot) in Bonsal dale, petrifying, on 3rd toadstone. Small-dale, SW of Peak Forest, in 4th lime. Stanfrey NW, in Bolsover (Shuttlewood Spa) sulphureous, an open bath, by the Zig-zag fault. Stanley, near Morley, chalybeate. Stoke W, near Stoney Middleton (Sough) warm, burning. Stony Middleton NE, warm, 63 degrees, an open bath, petrifying, near a great fault, ranging to Great Hucklow. Taddington S (Wells) on 2nd toadstone. Tibshelf, chalybeate. Tideswell, NNW, intermitting, formerly; 14 m. NW, on 2nd toadstone; S (Dale) petrifying. Tissington Town, in shale limestone. Wirksworth Church-yard, and SW, large, formerly, drained by Hannage sough, a bath formerly. Woodlands in Hope, SE end of Doctor-gate, ochrey. Wormhill S (Flag dale) two very large ones, in 4th lime. CHAP. 1. All Mineral The mineral and medicinal waters of Derbyshire are, as might be expected in a country abounding with fossils, remarkably numerous. those of a chalybeate and sulphureous nature, arise in beds of shale, and Waters. probably derive their impregnation from this substance; the warm springs also are observed to appear near these beds, though they break out in the stratum of limestone almost exclusively. The most celebrated warm springs are those at Matlock and Buxton; they occur likewise at Stony Middleton ; and Middleton, near Wirksworth, had formerly a spring of this description, which was cut off some years since by driving a sough to remove the water from some lead mines in the neighbourhood. Those of Matlock and Buxton have obtained much celebrity for their medicinal properties, and are annually visited by a considerable afflux of company, who resort to them as well for pleasure as for health. The natural history of the Matlock and Buxton waters occupied much of the attention of the lamented Dr. Darwin, whose death has deprived society of one of its most valuable members, and science of her most distinguished son. His principal observations were contained in a letter written to the Rev. Mr. Pilkington, and published in the "View of Derbyshire." The very interesting nature of this communication, and the light it casts upon the origin of warm springs, wherever situated, must be our apology for the insertion of considerable extracts. "Several philosophers have supposed that the warm springs of this county acquire their heat from the chemical decomposition of pyrites; and it was affirmed by the late Mr. Tissington, and has been lately cited in an ingenious work of Mr. Kirwan on Mineralogy, that the warm water about Matlock owed its heat to the blue marl, which is mixed with pyrites, and is found in thin strata above and below the beds of lava, or toadstone; but it has since been observed, that, though warm water was found sometimes in these beds of pyrites and marl, yet, that no smell or taste then attended it, which must have occurred, if the pyrites had been in a state of decomposition; and secondly, that cold water was found in these beds oftener than warm. “The arguments in favour of another opinion appear to me to be much more conclusive, viz. that the water of these springs is raised in vapour by subterraneous fires deep in the earth, and that this vapour is condensed under the surface of the mountains in the vicinity of the springs. "1. The heat of these springs has been invariable, perhaps, for many centuries; certainly, as long as we have had good thermometers; which shows that the water, which they arise from, is in a boiling state in some part of the earth. For as boiling water acquires a certain degree of heat, viz. 212, the steam which arises from it (where it is not confined) must always be of that degree of heat. Now the internal parts of the earth, a few feet below the surface, being always, both in winter and summer, of forty-eight degrees of heat; it follows, that if the steam of water, after it is condensed, flows through a given distance of the cold earth, it will become cooled from 212 to some degree of heat above 48, proportional to the distance between the mountain in which it is condensed, and the place of its exit: and thus may, for many ages, preserve an uniformity of the de |