on. The Crescent is a fine range of buildings in the Doric
style, erected by the duke of Devonshire in 1779-1788. It contains hotels,
a ballroom, a bank, a library and other establishments, and the surrounding
open grounds are laid out in terraces and gardens. The Old Hall hotel at
the west end of the Crescent stands on the site of the mansion built in
1572 by the earl of Shrewsbury in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, which was
the residence of Mary queen of Scots when she visited the town. The mineral
waters of Buxton, which have neither taste nor smell, are among the most
noted in England, and are particularly efficacious in cases of rheumatism
and gout. There are numerous public and private baths, the most important
of which are those in the establishment at the eastern end of the Crescent.
The springs supply hot and cold water at a very short distance from each
other, flowing at the rate of 60 gallons a minute. The former possesses a
uniform temperature of 82 deg. Fahr., and the principal substances in solution
are bicarbonate of calcium, bicarbonate of magnesium, chloride of sodium,
chloride of magnesium and silica acid. There is also a chalybeate spring
known as St Anne's well, situated at the S.W. corner of the Crescent, the
water of which when mixed with that of the other springs proves purgative.
The Devonshire hospital, formerly known as the Bath Charity, is a
benevolent institution, supported by voluntary subscriptions. Every year
some thousands of poor patients are treated free of cost; and the hospital
was enlarged for their accommodation, a dome being added which is of
greater circumference than any other in Europe. In 1894 the duke of
Devonshire erected a handsome pump-room at St Anne's well. The Buxton
season extends from June to October, and during that period the town is
visited by thousands, but it is also popular as a winter resort. The Buxton
Gardens are beautifully laid out, with ornamental waters, a fine
opera-house, pavilion and concert hall, theatre and reading rooms. Electric
lighting has been introduced, and there is an excellent golf course. The
Cavendish Terrace forms a fine promenade, and the neighbourhood of the town
is rich in objects of interest. Of these the chief are Poole's Hole, a vast
stalactite cave, about half a mile distant; Diamond Hill, which owes its
name to the quartz crystals which are not uncommon in its rocks; and Chee
Tor, a remarkable cliff, on the banks of the Wye, 300 ft. hig