The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 12, No. 333, September 27, 1828Various
General
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 12, No. 333, September 27, 1828
Various
Popular literature -- Great Britain -- Periodicals
The Baths are situated about one mile from the village of Matlock, and
are a collection of lodging-houses, which, during the summer season, are
usually occupied. The baths are filled by springs, which issue in great
abundance from limestone rocks; the water is exceedingly clear, and
bears a temperature of 68 deg. Fahrenheit. Here are the wells which produce
the petrifactions; any substance placed in them being, in the course of
a few months, covered with stone. Visiters are in the habit of leaving
various articles, which, by the ensuing season, thus become incrusted.
Birds' nests with eggs in them, baskets, shoes, &c. &c. are among the
articles which may be seen here.
Matlock abounds with subterraneous caverns, which excite the surprise
and admiration of strangers. These are entered by a passage, formed
with immense labour through the solid rock. In the interior you are
surrounded by brilliant crystallizations, various kinds of metallic
ores, spars, &c., with petrifactions hanging from the roof, pendent as
icicles. The roofs of the numerous caves are of different descriptions;
some have the appearance of arches formed by the hand of man, others
appear to be immense masses of rock, which have fallen into their
present situation by chance, or through some violent convulsion of the
earth, by which they have been disjointed and separated. In several of
them there are fine springs of limpid water. Here are likewise several
productive lead mines.
At the Museum the most interesting productions of the Peak are to be
seen. Many of the specimens are manufactured into vases, copied from the
antique. Besides the natural productions of the place, there are a great
variety of fine alabaster vases from Florence, with statues of various
kinds of Italian marble. Immediately facing the museum are the gardens,
called the Museum Gardens, in which are several grottoes, curiously
ornamented. Perched upon a rock, just at the entrance, is a fine
venerable hawk, of the bustard species, which was winged about four
years ago, and took its station there, from which spot it rarely moves.
The Botanical Gardens, belonging to Mr. Bownes, are much visited, and
contain nearly seven hundred indigenous plants. They are situated along
the rise of the hill, known by the name of the Heights of Abraham, from
the summit of which can be enjoyed the most extensive views of the
scenery round Matlock.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account