Il6 DOVE DALE REVIStTEt) 



sinks into the earth a little above the bridge at 

 Leek, six miles west of Ham. The Manifold 

 disappears near Wetton Mill, five miles north- 

 ward. The waters of the two rivers differ in 

 temperature at their emergence by about two 

 degrees, so that they do not anywhere inter- 

 mingle. In flood-time, I am told, the Manifold 

 and Hamps unite about four miles above Ham, 

 and, despite their underground courses, rush 

 down the old original bed, which at other times 

 is quite dry. 



On the side of the hill, just above where 

 the two rivers issue from it, is a little grotto, 

 in which Congreve is said to have written his 

 comedy of "The Old Bachelor" and a part of 

 his " Mourning Bride." 



Ham Church stands in the grounds close to 

 the Hall. It is ivy-covered, and very pictur- 

 esque. On the north side is a mausoleum, 

 which contains Chantrey's monumental group 

 to the memory of Pike Watts, Esq. Mr. 

 Thorne says of it : 



" It is one of the finest works of Chantrey, 

 and probably no other of that great artist's pro- 

 duction is so fortunately placed. The venerable 

 man is represented raising himself from his 



