This is one of the many sublime objects presented by Matlock dale, the
beauties of which will be cursorily described, in proportion as these
objects pass under our review.
In approaching the bath, which is nearly a mile to the south-west of the
village of Matlock, a specimen of the scenery by which this charming
vale is distinguished, presents itself. The entrance is through a rock,
which has been blasted for the purpose of opening a convenient passage;
and here a scene which blends the constituent principles of the
picturesque, the beautiful and the sublime, opens suddenly on the view.
Through the middle of a narrow plain flows the Derwent, overhung by a
profusion of luxuriant beeches and other drooping trees. Toward the east
are gently rising grounds, and on the west the huge mural banks of the
vale stretch along, the white face of the rock of which they are
composed occasionally displaying itself through the woody clothing of
their sides and summits. This magnificent scenery is singularly
contrasted by the manufactories and lodging-houses at the bottom of the
vale.
To see this magic spot to the greatest advantage, it should be entered
at its northern extremity, its beauties then succeeding each other in a
proper gradation, and their grandeur and effect being rendered more
impressive. The chief attention is now attracted to the High Tor, a
grand and stupendous rock, which appears like a vast abrupt wall of
limestone, and rises almost perpendicularly from the river, to the hight
of upward of three hundred and fifty feet. The lower part of this
majestic feature is shaded by yew-trees, elms, limes, and underwood of
various foliage; but the upper part, for fifty or sixty yards, presents
a rugged front of one broad mass of perpendicular rock. From its summit
the vale is seen in all its grandeur, diversified by woods of various
hues and species. The windings of the Derwent, the grayish-colored
rocks, and the white fronts of the houses, embosomed amid groves of
trees which sprout from every crevice of the precipices, give variety
and animation to a scene of wonderful beauty.
[Illustration: BRIDGE OVER THE WYE.]