245 



more fortunate than its riders, was but very 

 slightly injured." The fishing in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Reynard's Hall is excellent, 

 Nearly opposite its base, runs two very capital 

 streams, the upper one called Great Sharplow, 

 and the lower one named Little Sharplow. 

 From this spot there is a constant succession of 

 beautiful streams, running through the most 

 picturesque portion of the Dale, until you 

 come to a part of the river denominated Sedgy 

 Pool, from the quantity of sedges it produ- 

 ces. The fishing in this pool is good, and at 

 the bottom of it is a weir, forming an excellent 

 stream. This stream is nearly at the entrance 

 of the Dale as you approach it from Ashborne, 

 via the little village of Thorpe.* There are 



* " A little to the north of the village, is Thorpe Cloud, 

 a conical hill, of very steep ascent, which rises to a great 

 height. Near this is a tolerahly good descent, into a deep 

 hollow called Bunster-dale ; one side of which is bounded 

 by a steep acclivity, covered with wood ; and the other by 

 a range of lofty crags, of wild, uncouth appearance. Pass- 

 ing through the narrow ravine (where the eye is prevented 

 from excursion, and the mind thrown back upon itself) for 

 half a mile, a sudden turn presents the eye with the south- 

 ern entrance of the far-famed and romantic Dove-dale, a 

 name it has received from the river Dove, which pours its 

 waters through the valley. On entering Dove-dale, it is 

 impossible not to be struck with the almost instantaneous 

 change of scenery, so different from the surrounding coun- 

 try. Here, instead of the brown heath, or the rich cultiva- 

 ted meadow, rocks abrupt and vast, their grey sides 

 harmonised by mosses, lichens, and yew trees, their tops 

 sprinkled with mountain-ash, rise on each side. The 



