and the period of the Restoration, to the Eyres of Highlow, Since the death of John Archer, Esq. of Welford, in Berkshire, the male heir of this family, the manor has been sold under the authority of the Court of Chancery, to the present Duke of Devonshire.

Between Tideswell and Ashford is a road which runs through Litton, and winds beneath the elevated lands that form the northern boundary of MONSAL-DALE. The scenery of this sequestered retreat is in some places romantic; but its general character is picturesque beauty, which it possesses in a most enchanting degree. Near the head of the Dale, the rocks jut out on the south side, like the inmense towers of a strong fortress, having the stream of the Wye sportively flowing at their feet. Lower down, the crags soften into verdure, the Dale expands, and the eye dwells enraptured on the rich prospect that presents itself. The mountainous banks on each side are partially diversified with fine masses of wood, which occasionally slope down to the margin of the river, and wave their pendant branches in its translucent waters. In other places, the grey color of the rocks is beautifully harmonized by shrubs, underwood, and green turf, which intermix their varying tints, and increase the general richness of the scenery. More distant, the bosom of the Dale spreads wider; and the stream softly meanders through luxuriant meadows, having its margin occupied by a small farm-house, partly concealed by trees, and, with its accompaniments of a rustic wooden bridge, broken rocks, &c. composing a very picturesque scene. The back-ground is formed by a steep precipice, variegated by short herbage and brush wood, with occasionally a starting rock breaking its con tinuity of surface. On ascending this eminence, and looking back from its brow upon the Dale, the sight is delighted by one of the most beautiful views that the plastic hand of nature ever arranged. Wood, water, and rock, intermingle in the prospect, and so happily combine with the fertile meads that spread immediately beneath the eye in strong contrast with the barren heights to the right and left, that imagination itself could hard