2 TO THE PEAK IN THE DAYS OF QUEEN ANNE. 



" At a little distance is a Fountain which emits streams of 

 water near sixty feet high. 



" We exchanged this object for another plac'd in y e centre of 

 a Gloomy Labarynth called the Mourning Willow. Tis an 

 artificial Tree, but so nearly resembling Nature as hardly to be 

 distinguished at first view. There are secret veins dispersed 

 thro' every part of the Tree, thro' which the water is con- 

 veyed, and drops from every leaf and Twig like Tears, and 

 from thence receives its name. But on a sudden (a Cock being 

 turned) it flies out with great violence, wetting the beholders 

 with a Plentifull Shower. 



" On the West side of the House are severall Aviaries, 

 Greenhouse, and Nurseries, and near them a large Kitchen 

 garden abounding in divers Esculents. 



" There are many more diverting curiosities in the garden, 

 as Status, Grottos, pleasant walks, and Avenues, Aqueducts and 

 other Hortulane Ornaments which I shall omit speaking of. 



" From thence we removed to Castlcton a Place famous for 

 two other wonders viz. Mam Tor and that wondrous Cave 

 called the Devil's [Cave]. In our way we passed by several 

 Lead mines. There is a custom in this part of the County, that 

 if any person whatsoever finds a vein of Lead, tho' he has no 

 right to the soil, y e Discovery vests an immediate Property in 

 him and he may dig and convert the profits to his own use, 

 paying Dutys and Taxes.* The miners presented us with 

 severall Fluors, which they dig from among the Oar, being of 

 a whitish complexion, and from their Transparency and other 

 Properties much like Christal. 



* This light is noted in that curious metrical version of mining laws 

 composed by " Edward Manlove, Esq., Steward of the Burghmoot Court 

 in Wirksworth," as being conferred by 16 E. I., c. 2, after an Inquisition 

 held at Ashbourne in the same year. 



" By custom old in Wirksworth wapentake 

 If any of this nation find a rake 

 Or sign, or leading to the same, may set 

 In any ground and there lead oar may get : 

 They may make crosses, holes, and set their stowes, 

 Sink shafts, build lodges, cottages or coes. 

 But churches, houses, gardens, all are free 

 From this strange custom of the minery." 

 See also Glover's History of Derbyshire, vol. i, app. 9. 



