REPORT. XxXVil 
Rhodes says:—‘ Contemplating the scenery of this little dell, 
and calling to recollection the sublime incident by which it has 
been dignified and hallowed, I have always regarded it as a subject 
admirably adapted for the pencil.’ Is it possible to conceive a 
picture more truly sublime? Paul preaching at Athens, or John 
the Baptist in the wilderness, scarcely excites a more powerful 
and solemn interest than this minister of God, this ‘legate of the 
skies,’ when contemplated on this trying and momentous occa- 
sion, ‘when he stood between the dead and the living, and the 
plague was stayed.’ 
“ Mompesson, who was in the prime of life, lived to see the 
ravages cease, but he was destined to partake in the general dis- 
tress, and drink deeply of the cup of sorrow ; for his loving wife, 
who would not leave him when his two children were sent away, 
was, as I have already stated, a victim of the plague. 
“ There are extant three letters by Mompesson, written during 
the plague, at the time when his dear wife had been snatched from 
him, and when he considered his own death inevitable ; and in 
speaking of these Wm. Howitt says: ‘In the whole range of litera- 
ture, we know of nothing more pathetic than these letters.’ Iam sorry 
that time forbids the reading of them on the present occasion. 
** And now I have done: I have not attempted to go into any 
details of my comprehensive subject—these you will find in the 
works already referred to; but I have pointed out the principal 
objects you will like to see, and said enough about the ‘ mighty 
woe’ to excite your interest, I hope, in the subject. 
* The tale is tinged with grief and scath, 
But not in which man’s cruel wrath, 
Like fire of fiendish spirit shows, 
But where through terrors, tears and woes, 
He rises dauntless, pure, refined ; 
Not chill’d by self, nor fired by hate, 
Love in his life--and even his fate 
A blessing on his kind.’” 
After inspecting the Church, the party walked to Mompesson’s 
well, and the Riley graves. Tea was taken at the inn, and the 
return drive made vid Stoney Middleton to Hassop, in time for 
the 8.23 train to Derby. 
