7<J THE PEAK OF DEIIIIVSHIEE. 
of almost Ihe whole length of the A’alley. Its coiibiJaW^^ 
elevation above the surrounding objects greatly changes ih®®; 
general size arid appearance. Even the High Tor scei>j, 
considerably diminished in grandeur and sublimity ; but Uij’ 
effect is partly compensated by the extent of the prospo'- J 
and the variety of objects it comprehends. Theheigld^^ 
this eminence is about 75O feet, the path to it.s summit lit"' 
ing been carried, in a winding direction, llirough a 
At die one half of its a.scent is an alcove, from which j'' 
extensive view of a great part of Matlock Dale may ^ 
seen, through a fine avenue formed for that purpose. 
THE CUMBERLAND CAVERN. 
To the west and north-west of die village of Matlock 
three apertures in the rock, respectively n.amcd the 
BEELAND, Smedeey, and Rutland Caverns. The forif^ 
of these is well deserving of a short notice. 
The entrance is partly artificial, to afford a greater 
lity to the visitor, who has to descend fifty-four steps. 
cavern now opens on him in solitar}’' grandeur. Huge 111^ 
ses of stone are piled on each other with a tremendous k»’^ 
of carelessness, evideudy produced by some violent 
cussion, though at an unknown period. He is conduct'-^ 
to a long arid wide passage, the roof which has all the 
gularity of a finished deling, and is bespangled by spars " 
various descriptions. From above, fiom beneath, and 
the sides, the rays of the lights are reflected in every 
recdon. In an adjacent compartment rocks are heaped 
rocks in terrible array, and assume a threatening 
"Next is an apartment decorated with what, in the lange^^ 
of the country, is called the snow fosiil — a petrifacb'^.j 
which, bodi in figure and colour, resembles snow, as 
drifted by the winter storm into the cavities of a 
Near die extremity of the cavern are to be seen fishes P 
trified and fixed in the several strata which form the 
rounding recess One of these has 
its back jutting *’*** 
ot 
act 
tli< 
if the side of the earth, as if it had been petrified io ‘y 
ct of swimming. In another branch of the cavern a ’ 
has Aeen found of a considerable depth. 
