176 SPRINGS, RIVERS, CANALS, LAKES, 



as well as by those who came to bathe in it for medicinal purposes. 

 Mr. Pennant says, ' the custom of visiting this well in pilgrimage, 

 and offering up devotions there, is not yet entirely set aside: in the 

 summer a few are still to be seen in the water, in deep devotion, up 

 to their chins for hours, sending up their prayers, or performing a 

 number of evolutions round the polygonal well. In the year 1686 

 James II. visited this well, and received as a reward, a present of 

 the very shift in which his great-grandmother, Mary Queen of Scots, 

 lost her head." 



Derbyshire is the county peculiarly distinguished for its rich mines, 

 curious appearances of nature, and salubrious fountains. Among 

 the last, is MATLOCK'S tepid spring, which issues amidst the most 

 delightful scenery, and is the resort of much company at the close 

 of summer, and in the autumn- 



Among the wonders of the Peak one is TIDE'S or WEEDEN'S 

 WELL, constituting one of the class to which we have already advert, 

 ed that ebb and flow like the sea. That it does ebb and flow is cer- 

 tain j but it is at vory unequal periods, sometimes not in a day or two, 

 arid sow* times twice in an hour. The bason of the spring is about 

 a yard deep, and the same in length and breadth. When it flows, 

 the water rises with a bubbling noise, as if the air which was pent 

 up within the cavities of the rock was forcing itself a passage, and 

 driving the water before it. It is occasionally used as a restorative. 



The next wonder of Derbyshire, is BUXTON WELLS, the waters 

 of which, beside their medicinal use, have this singularity, that within 

 five feet of one of the hot spiir.gs there arises a cold one ; but this is 

 not the only well of the kind, since hot and cold springs rise near each 

 other in several places in England, and in other countries. These 

 springs possess a less degree, ot warmth than those at Bath. The 

 water of Ruxton-wells is sulphureous,, with a small quantity of saline 

 particles, but it is not in the least impregnated with a sulphureous 

 acid, ,-^nce they are very palaiable in comparison with other medici- 

 nal v iters. They are salutary in scorbutic, rheuuialic, or nervous 

 complaints, both by bathing and drinking. These waters were well 

 .* in the time of the Romans. Besides the principal springs 

 which are at the village of Buxton, there are n;an> otliers that rise 

 unregarded in the neighbouring enclosures, and on the sides of tUe 

 bill. 



The Buxton. waters create an appetite, and remove obstructions, 



