212 THE PEAK IN THE DAYS OF QUEEN ANNE. 



should bear the ponderous mountains that are above without 

 anything to support it in the middle. We had scarcer- 

 measured ioo yards but the arched roof descended so low that 

 we were compelled to creep on all four till we came to the 

 margin of a sooty River" about five yards over. Here we were 

 irresolute whether to advance further or not. The Danger that 

 appeared before us bid us return. But then the Itch of 

 Curiosity animated our haulting Resolutions and moved us to 

 a farther Discovery. Immediately two Rusticks were ready to 

 attend us, who laying us in a Tub waded through and wafted 

 us over one after another. The Passage was very Affrighting, 

 in all the way over, the descending Rock almost touched our 

 faces. And the great Rains that happened about that time 

 had so increased the waters that should they be swelled by any 

 additional showers three Inches, our Return would be rendered 

 impossible. As soon as we had conquered the further shore the 

 Vault began to enlarge and affords something that pleasingly 

 rewarded our Labours. The Shining Roof dazled the eye with its 

 brightness, and looked more like the Palace of a Prince than any 

 of Nature's productions : all round the Chequered Configuration 

 of the Rock present you with a scene truly admirable, where 

 you find the hand .of Nature forming a more Beautiful Scheme 

 of Architecture than 'er was compiled by Art. From hence 

 we were obliged to follow our guide thro' a narrow Passage 

 where we were almost pressed to pieces by pointed stones that 

 guarded each side of the place, till at last we came to a second 

 River. Here we expressed the same fear as before; but being 

 immured to danger we ventured over. But what a dismal 

 Change was here! From so beautiful a place as I before 

 described to one of the most amazing Prospects of Confusion 

 and Deformity. 



" ' Horor ubique animos simul ipsa silentia terret.' We 

 saw nothing but rocks piled upon one another, which we must 



* " Sooty " seems to be used in the sense of " dark," "gloomy," as the 

 water issuing from the Peak Cavern is wonderfully clear and free from 

 impurity. 



