of
groups of cottages and quiet homesteads, speaking of pastoral
life in its most favorable aspect. The eye, following the
direction of the stream, is carried over the village of Calver,
beyond which the rocks of Stony Middleton converge and shut in
the prospect, with their gates of stone; amid distant trees,
the village of Eyam, celebrated for its mournful story of the
plague, and the heroism of its pastor, is embosomed. The ridge
of rock stretches around the plain to the right, and upon the
moors are traces of the early Britons in circles of stones and
tumuli, with various other singular and deeply-interesting
relics of 'the far off past.' Turning to the south, the
prospect is bounded by the hills of Matlock; the villages of
Darley-le-Dale, and Rowsley, reposing in mid-distance; the
entire prospect comprising a series of picturesque mountains,
fertile plains, wood, water, and rock, which cannot be
surpassed in the world for variety and beauty. The noble domain
in the foreground forming the grand centre of the whole:

"'This palace, with wild prospects girded round,
Where the scorn'd Peak rivals proud Italy.'

"It was evening when we ascended this charming hill, and stood
beneath the shadow of its famous Hunting Tower. The sun had
just set, leaving a landscape of immense extent sleeping
beneath rose-colored clouds; the air was balmy and fragrant
with the peculiar odor of the pine-trees which topped the
summit of the promontory on which we stood. We were told of
Taddington Hill--of Beeley Edge--of Brampton Moor--of Robin
Hood's bar--of Froggat Edge--until our eyes ached from the
desire to distinguish the one from the other. There was Tor
this, and Dale that, and such a hall and such a hamlet; but the
stillness by which we were surrounded had become so delicious
that we longed to enjoy it in solitude.

[Illustration: THE BRIDGE ACROSS THE DERWENT.]

"What pen can tell of the beams of light that played on the
highlands, when, after the fading of that gorgeous sunset, the
valley became steeped in a soft blue-gray color, so tender, and
clear and pure, that it conveyed the idea of 'atmosphere' to
perfection. Then, as the shadows, the soothing shadows of
evening, increased around us, the woods seemed to melt into the
mountains; the ri