34 THE BOTTOMLESS PIT. gulf whose top and bottom are totally invisible-a natural cavern called "the bottomless pit,” into which the workmen, to their great terror, suddenly opened in blasting their way, in prosecuting the undertaking. A bridge was afterwards thrown across the chasm, in the continuation of their operations. It is furnished with an iron railing; and from it, you can now glance into the fearful depth below, with comparative security, while blue lights are burned, to exhibit the appalling features of the pit, and a cascade of water, by the lifting of a gate, is thrown into its depths, to show by the feeble returns of the distant concussion, how far it plunges, before it meets with an impediment. Forty thousand tons of rubbish were thrown down this gulf by the labourers, in the continuance of their excavations, without the slightest perceptible effect on the capacity and unfathomable depth of the stygian pool, forming its bottom. The height of the cavern above, is in some degree, at least, proportionate-rockets of sufficient strength to be projected more than four hundred feet, have been fired within it, without disclosing its roof. PEAK OF DERBYSHIRE. 35 LETTER XXIX. ARRIVAL AT BARLBOROUGH AND VISIT TO SHEFFIELD. Extent of the Peak of Derbyshire and its ruined objects of interest -Drive to Chesterfield-Its twisted and flaming spire-Distant view of Barlborough Hall and manner of arrival at it-Reception by the Rev. C. H. Reaston Rodes its proprietor-Description of the Hall-The Rodes family-Dinner and entertainment of the evening-Drive to Sheffield—Renishaw, the Seat of Sir George Sitwell-Show-shop and manufactory of Rodgers and Son the celebrated cutlers-Luncheon at the Inn and electioneering scene- -Montgomery the poet-Return to Barlborough. DEAR VIRGINIA, Barlborough Hall, Derbyshire, Till our travel through Derbyshire I had supposed "the Peak" to consist of a simple elevated mountain or of an unbroken range of limited extent, in reference to its particular appellative. But the term applies to much of the northern and western portions of the shire, and is divided into the low and high Peak, each of which embraces a wide circuit of mountainous and bleak country. In the variety of its attractions it is scarce surpassed by any single. section of the kingdom. In their seasons, Buxton and Matlock, both within the limits of the name, are favourite resorts of the gay and the fashionable, as well as of the invalid. Its 36 PEAK OF DERBYSHIRE. hills and dales present much to delight the traveller for pleasure, and its phenomena afford abundant room for the observations of the naturalist, in mineralogy and geology. We should have been happy to give several days, in place of a single one, to it, but an engagement to meet the family, whose hospitality we are now enjoying, on the 19th inst., obliged us to hasten from Castleton, without viewing, except at a distance, some of its principal curiosities, in addition to those mentioned in my last letter. Particularly Mam Tor, or the Shivering Mountain, so called from the constant sliding down of the shale and micaceous grit, of which its acclivities are chiefly formed, and the remains of a Roman camp to be traced upon its summit; the Odin mine at its foot; the Eldin Hole, and other points of similar interest. In the Odin mine, is found in the greatest quantities, the beautiful fluor, usually called "Blue John," so highly valued as an article for the formation of ornamental urns, vases, &c. In the Peak too, are many Druidical and Roman relics, with Rocking Stones, and, an ebbing and flowing well. The action of this last, is explained by some, on the principle of the syphon, by supposing the existence of a reservoir in the hill above, and that a channel or duct, proceeding from the lower part of it, rises in its course to some length, but not to a level with the reservoir itself, and afterwards, descends to the pool at the foot of the hill. When the reservoir begins to fill, the water flowing into this duct expels the air, when the pressure of the air in the subterranean basin, forces the water through, till the supply is exhausted, when the water ceases to flow, till the reservoir again begins to fill. We returned from Castleton, through Middleton Dale, till we came again in sight of Chatsworth, and then passed round the northern walls of its Park, up a mountainous road, to a wide moor, lying between it and the town of Chesterfield, at a distance of some ten miles. The most singular feature of this place is, the pointed and lofty spire of its church. It deviates very considerably from a perpendicular,' and its covering of slate or lead exhibits the appearance of having been almost completely twisted around. Some suppose that, like the tower of Pisa, it was originally constructed in this manner, but others believe it to arise from some warping or contraction of the timbers. Some time before reaching this town, at which we changed horses, our attention was arrested by three lofty and conspicuous objects, on the distant and elevated horizon, some nine or ten miles beyond it; which, on inquiry, we ascertained to be Hardwick Hall, which you will recollect, was visited by us on" the way from Newstead to Belper, Bolsover Castle, an old seat of the Duke of Portland, and Barlborough Hall, from which I now address you, the noble mansion of the Rev. C. H. Reaston Rodes, proprietor of Barlborough and of the estate surrounding it. Lord Byron is on terms of intimacy with this gentleman, and it is to his kindness that we are indebted for an introduction to himself and family. In the expectation that Colonel and Mrs. Wildman and party from Newstead, would meet us for a day or two here, we forwarded our letters from the Abbey, appointing the day before yesterday for our arrival. Before we came away, our friends there were obliged to give up a visit to the Hall, for the present. My note, however, to Mr. Rodes, apprizing him of the intended call of Captain Bolton, had reached him, and we were received by him, with a true English welcome. I had risen so early at Castleton, to accomplish the observations above and below ground, of which I have given you a hasty description, before it would be necessary to set off for Barlborough, in order to meet the appointment for dinner, that I felt drowsy during the drive after leaving Chesterfield, and dosed in a corner of the carriage, till roused by its stopping at the lodge, till the gate of the Park should be opened. Captain Bolton was in a sound sleep, and neither of us had noticed our passage through the neat village of Barlborough, at the end of a cross street, in which is the principal entrance leading to the Hall. The approach is by a lofty and beautiful avenue of old lime-trees, a half mile and more in length, over a gravel drive, gently descending to the house. It was not till this came into full view, that 1. roused my companion from his slumbers, that we might not be found napping by our host. Mr. Rodes received us with much cordiality at the carriage front of his mansion, and ushered us into that which, in every respect, may be taken, as it is by some believed to be, the prototype of the BRACEBRIDGE HALL of Washington Irving. In |