THE PEAK IN THE DAYS OF QUEEN ANNE. 2C] 



divides it in two parts running from North to South where it 

 empties itself into Trent. The East and South parts are 

 fertile and produce good store of barly and other corn ; the rest 

 is altogether Mountainous & Barren but yielding much Lead, 

 Copper, & Coles, Alabaster & Marble. In this County among 

 others dwelt the Coritani in y e time of the Romans ; during 

 y e Heptarchy twas a province of Merica and is now in the 

 Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry. 



" Being upon the entrance of these dangerous Moors which 

 stretch themselves along the Northern Limits of the County 

 we hired a guide to Chatsworth. 



" Now twas that nature began to change her Face and our 

 Eyes were entertained with the most amazing Deformity in 

 the world. Here were Mountains crowding upon Mountains, 

 prodigious Rocks, deep Chasms, and dangerous Precipices. 

 These Moors are often, fatal to strangers. 



" They tell us a story of a Poor Man who traveling this Road 

 and being benighted lost his way. He wandered several hours 

 immured with dangers ; at last both he and his Horse sunk into 

 a Bog. The Horse endeavouring to save himself was over- 

 whelmed and never seen more, and he with much difficulty 

 escaped the same Fate. The miserable wretch remained three 

 days in a comfortless condition floating in a sea of Mud, and 

 expecting every moment to be lost. At last his Cries drew 

 some Gentlemen who were traveling this way to his assistance, 

 who immediately contrived his safety and getting Ropes at an 

 adjoining village removed him from the mire just as he was 

 expiring. 



" These Moors have a deluding aspect being covered with a 

 smooth Turfe, so that strangers deceived by the beautiful 

 Appearance are often in great hazard of their Lives. 



" In this manner we proceeded either in danger of being 

 Swallowed up in these Bogs or in sooty waves of some Streams 

 we were forced to pass, or else in fear of being dash'd to pieces 

 while we stormed the Ascent of prodigious Mountains, which 

 seemed to wrap their heads in the Cloudes. The Road we went 



