*Castleton. This town derives its name from a castle, the remains of which are situated on a steep rock. It is supposed to have been erected by William Peveril, the natural son of the Conqueror. It has been held at different times by various distinguished individuals; among others, by Simon de Montfort, the celebrated Earl of Leicester, and John of Gaunt. Owing to its situation, it was almost impregnable. This castle has given its title to Sir Walter Scott's Peveril of the Peak, and forms the scene of a considerable portion of the events of that popular novel. The vicinity of Castleton abounds in wild and romantic scenery. For centuries the only accessible road to Buxton and Chapel-en-le-Frith was by a deep descent called the Winnets or Windgates, from the stream of air that always sweeps through the chasm. Dark, rugged, and At one of the sudden turns of the perpendicular precipices are seen on each side of the road. road to the left, a most beautiful view of Castleton vale opens to the eye. Among the curiosities in the vicinity are the Peak Cavern or Devil's Cave, a magnificent and extraordinary work of nature, situated about 100 yards from the village. The mine called the Speed well Level; the waterfall in the navigation mine which falls 30 yards; Mam-Tor, or the Shivering Mountain, 800 feet above level of valley, the summit of which exhibits traces of a Roman encampment and of two barrows; the ancient lead mines of Odin, at the southern foot of Mam-Tor; Eldon Hole, 3 miles distant, between 70 and 80 yards in depth; Bradwell cavern, remarkable for the beauty and richness of the stalactites it contains, and the Blue John mine, situated on the side of Tree Cliff, opposite Mam Tor, the only mine in which this beautiful material is found in masses of sufficient size for working. Its recesses are supposed to be connected with a series of caverns extending over an area of many square miles, and including Eldon Hole, Peak cavern, Speedwell, and Bagshaw's cavern at Bragwell. The charge for exploring the mine is, for one person, 2s.; for three, 4s. 6d.; for four, 5s.; and 1s. per head for every additional person. The guides make an additional charge if a Bengal light be used. The churchyard of Hathersage, 6 miles The from Castleton, is the reputed burial-place of Little John the companion of Robin Hood.

WIRKSWORTH is a place of great antiquity, and the capital of the lead-mine district. The church is a handsome Gothic structure of the fourteenth century, and contains some interesting monuments and tombs. The lead-mines afford the chief means of employment, but there are cotton, hosiery, hat, and some other manufactories, in the neighbourhood.

The Barmot Courts for determining disputes among the miners, and offences against their ancient laws, are held here twice a-year; and here is deposited the ancient brass dish used as a standard for measuring the ore. Sir John Gell, the

road passes through Hope-Dale, a beautiful vale, in which is a very ancient village where a church existed before the Conquest.

* 4 miles from Tideswell is the pleasant village of Eyam, remarkable as the spot where the devotedness of Mr Mompesson and his wife was exhibited during the great plague of 1666. The disease, which was conveyed by a box of cloth, spread with an astonishing rapidity, anc carried off 250 persons out of a population of 330. Mr Mompesson, who then held the living of Eyam, resisted all solicitations to desert his flock. To prevent as much as possible the effects of contagion, he closed the church, and preached to the people in a narrow dell, called Cucklett-dale, at a little distance from the town. For seven months, during which the pestilence continued its ravages, this devoted pastor watched over Eyam. He retained his health, but his wife fell a victim to the fury of the disease, and was buried in the churchyard, where her tombstone yet remains. Miss Seward was born at Eyam, of which her father was the rector.

Parliamentary general, resided at Hopton, in this parish, but the ancient family seat is now pulled down. Pop. of par. 7891.

Two miles from Wirksworth is Cromford, situated in a deep valley, enclosed on three sides by lofty limestone rocks. This town owes its prosperity to the cotton manufacture. The late Sir Richard Arkwright erected here a spacious cotton-mill, now occupied by Messrs R. and P. Arkwright, who employ about 800 persons. To the left, after passing through Scarthin-Nick (a perforated rock) near Cromford is Willersley Castle, a spacious mansion erected by Sir R Arkwright, and now possessed by his grandson. Two miles from Cromford is the village of Matlock on the Derwent, a favourite summer resort for invalids and tourists. Matlockdale, in which the village stands, extends for two miles north and south, and is bounded on each side by steep rocks, whose naked sides rise to the height of about 300 feet. The Derwent flows through the dale, and its banks are lined with trees, except where the rocks rise almost perpendicularly from the water. Of these the most striking is the High Tor, which rises to a height of 396 feet. Opposite to it is Masson, a rock of greater elevation than the Tor, but inferior to it as a picturesque object. The mineral springs and beautiful scenery of Matlock have caused a great influx of visitors, for whose accommo dation excellent inns, lodging-houses, and bathing establishments have been erected. The buildings are grouped in a singular manner up the mountain side. Matlock is not only a place full of interest in itself, but is also the centre of a district every part of which has its attractions. The usual amusement of strangers consists in visiting the caverns and mines, the petrifying wells and the rocks. Of the caverns, the Rutland cavern is the largest, and, when lighted up, has a very magnificent appearance. The Cumberland cavern is the most interesting to the geologist. The Devonshire cavern is remarkable for its flat roof and perpendicular sides. The Fluor cavern is the one from which the fluor spar is obtained. The Speedwell mine contains fine stalactites and spars; and in the Sidemine is a grotto, in which are to be found crystallizations of calcareous spar of unequalled beauty and richness. At the museums, the mineralogical production, are on sale, formed into vases and ornamental designs, and specimens of spars, fossils, &c. may be purchased.

The walks in the neighbourhood of Matlock are very delightful. The summit of Masson commands most interesting views over a vast extent of country. Two miles from Matlock, on the Wirksworth road, are the crags of Stonehouse, commanding a magnificent prospect. About the same distance is Bonsall, a picturesque mining village, with an ancient church and a curious old cross. The village of Old Matlock, two miles from Matlock-Bath, is inhabited chiefly by persons employed in the lead-mines and in the cotton manufacture. The "Romantic Rocks" are a very interesting series of masses and fragments, which appear as if just torn asunder, the angles exactly corresponding, so that if the spectator could by any possibility move them back, they would fit with the greatest nicety. Altogether, at Matlock the tourist, the geologist, and the mineralogist, may enjoy advantages which few places can boast.

Eight miles north-west by west is Haddon Hall, the seat of the Duke of Rutland, situated on a bold eminence on the east side of the Wye, and affording a complete picture of an ancient baronial residence. No part of the building is of a date later than the sixteenth century. The tower over the gateway on the east side of the upper quadrangle is supposed to have been built in the reign of Edward II1. The chapel is of the time of Henry VI.; and the tower at the north-west corner, on which are the arms of the Vernons, &c. is nearly of the same period. The gallery was erected in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. All the principal rooms, except the gallery, were hung with loose arras, a great part of which still remains. The doors were concealed behind the hangings, but there were great iron hooks by which the tapestry could be held back, to avoid the inconvenience of lifting it up every time of passing in and out. The workmanship of these doors is very rude and ill-fashioned. The chaplain's room is an interesting old place, and contains a number of objects calculated to convey an idea of the mode of living two centuries ago. The park was ploughed up and cultivated about sixty years since; but in the vicinity of the mansion there is still a sweeping group of luxuriant old trees. The gardens are composed of terraces ranging one above another, each having a sort of stone balustrade. The prospects from the leads and the watch-tower are extremely fine.

Haddon was, soon after the Conquest, the property of the Avenells, from whom it came to the Vernons. The last male heir of this family, Sir John Vernon, was commonly called the King of the Peak, on account of his hospitality and magnificent mode of living. He died in the seventh year of Elizabeth, and Haddon passed by marriage with one of his daughters into the possession of the family of Manners, and was their principal seat till the beginning of the last century, when it was superseded by Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire. In the time of the first Duke of Rutland, in the reign of Queen Anne, seven score servants were maintained in this ancient seat of old English hospitality.

The Duke of Rutland has a shooting seat at Stanton Woodhouse, in Darley Dale, a short distance from Haddon.

Twelve miles north by west of Matlock is Chatsworth, the magnificent mansion of the Duke of Devonshire. The public entrance to the domain is near the pretty village of Edensor, where there is an excellent inn for the accommodation of visitors. Chatsworth was among the domains given by William the Conqueror to William Peveril, one of his attendants; but in the reign of Elizabeth, it was purchased by Sir W. Cavendish, who commenced a mansion house here, which, after his death, was completed by his widow, the famous Countess of Shrewsbury. The present building was erected by the first Duke of Devonshire in 1702. It is composed of four nearly equal sides, with an open quadrangular court within. The middle of the court is occupied by a marble statue of Orion, seated on the back of a dolphin, round which the water of a fountain is continually playing. The rooms of this palace are spacious and lofty, some of them hung with tapestry, and adorned with beautiful carvings, executed by Gibbons and Watson. The pictures are not numerous, but there is a valuable col

lection of books, and many exquisite works of sculpture by Canova, Thorwaldsen, Chantrey, Wyatt, Westmacott, &c. Chatsworth gardens are among the most celebrated in the kingdom. The grand conservatory is 300 feet long by 145 feet wide, and comprises an area of about an acre, in the centre of which is a carriage road. Nothing of the kind was ever before planned on so gigantic a style. To the south and south-east of the mansion are some curious water-works, formerly much celebrated. The park is about nine miles in circumference, and is beautifully diversified with hill and dale. The prospect from different parts of it are exceedingly fine. Chatsworth was for some time the prison of Mary Queen of Scots, who was confined here for thirteen years,—a circumstance which caused here name to be given to a suite of apartments in the building, which are supposed to correspond in situation with those which she inhabited. It was here also that Hobbes, the philosopher, passed many of his days.

Four miles from Chatsworth is Bakewell, a place of great antiquity, much resorted to by anglers, as the river abounds with trout, grayling, &c. The manor of Bakewell originally belonged to William Peveril, natural son of William the Conqueror. It is now the property of the Duke of Rutland. In the town there is a cotton manufactory established by the late Sir R. Arkwright, and in the vicinity are marble works and lead mines. The church, an ancient and handsome structure, exhibits the styles of three different periods of architecture, and contains several curious and interesting monuments. In the church-yard is an ancient cross. On Stanton manor, four miles distant, are rocking-stones and a Druidical circle.

A delightful excursion may be made from Matlock to Dove Dale, distant 13 miles. The scenery of this far-famed spot is of the most romantic description. In the vicinity is the town of Ashbourn, the church of which contains a number of interesting monuments, especially a beautiful specimen of sculpture by Banks, to the memory of a daughter of Sir Brook Boothby, whose mansion is situated in the vicinity. At Mayfield, near Ashbourn, is the cottage in which Moore composed "Lalla Rookh." On the Staffordshire side of the Dove is Ilam Hall, the mansion of Jesse Watt Russell, Esq. The church is a venerable and picturesque edifice, and contains an interesting monument by Sir Francis Chantrey.

Interesting excursions may also be made from Matlock to the Druidical remains at Arbor Low,-the Router Rock,-Robin Hood's Stride,-the masses of rocks bearing the name of Bradley Tor, which are all within a short distance, and are objects of attraction to the antiquarian, the artist, and the lover of remarkable and picturesque scenery.

Winfield Manor House, Hardwick House, and Newstead Abbey, are frequently visited by parties from Matlock, and will amply repay the notice of the tourist.