In a romantic and deep hollow, near the little village of Wormhill, the
river Wye flows beneath this stupendous mass of rock, which rises
perpendicularly more than three hundred and sixty feet above its level.
The channel of the river, which meanders at the base, is confined
between huge rocks of limestone, having such a general correspondence of
situation and form, as to render it probable that they were once united.
In some parts they are partially covered with brushwood, nut-trees and
mountain-ash; while in others, they are totally naked, precipitous and
impending. The chasm runs in a direction so nearly circular, that the
sublime Chee Tor, and its dependent masses of rock, are almost insulated
by the river which rolls at their feet. Its length, as far as it
possesses any considerable beauty, is between five and six hundred
yards; a distance which presents several picturesque and interesting
views, the general effect of the fine scenery being enhanced by the
plantations on the neighboring hights, and by a spring which flows into
the river near the bottom of a deep descent, as well as by a romantic
bridge over the river itself, a representation of which may be seen in
the cut above. Not far from here is the well known Masson hill,
celebrated in Darwin’s “Loves of the Plants,” which is so high as to
overlook the country to a vast extent, and compared with which even the
High Tor seems considerably diminished in grandeur and sublimity; but
this effect is partly compensated by the extent of the prospect, and the
variety of objects it comprehends. The hight of this eminence is about
seven hundred and fifty feet, the path to its summit having been
carried, in a winding direction, through a grove. About half-way in the
ascent is an alcove, from which an extensive view of a great part of
Matlock dale may be seen, through a fine avenue formed for that purpose.