The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-30 00:00:00

" The promise of a golden day to-morrow."

Before we narrate the proceedings of yesterday, we
will indicate, as briefly as possible, the improvements
that are in course of development under the direction of
Sidney Smithers, Esq., agent to his grace the Duke of
Devonshire, who has won golden opinions from all classes.
The Crescent appears to have undergone very consi-
derable repair and embellishment, and the Terrace-walk
and extensive lawns in front are in high keeping.
The Hall Garden has been extended and greatly im-
proved. An ornamental piece of water has been formed,
with a fountain supplied from the new water main,
which plays to a height of about 50 feet. The adjoining
rich meadows and the distant hill of "Griner," pictur-
esquely studded with cottages, have been opened to the
view, adding great cheerfulness and beauty to this fa-
vourite place of promenade. Various specimens of wild
fowl contribute by their aquatic manoeuvres on the pond
to enliven the scene. The serpentine walks are yet in
an unfinished state. Rustic bridges, rock work and
water, are adding their effects to walks under foliage
gracefully disposed, and it is not difficult to foresee hew
exceedingly attractive this part of the grounds will ulti-
mately become.
The Park, which contains upwards of 100 acres, has
been laid out after a design by Sir Joseph Paxton. It
is approached by a handsome wide entrance just above
the Church, and immediately opposite the Great Stables,
from Which point a fine view of the Park and of the
surrounding hills is obtained. It was, until last year,
subdivided into fields, the fences of which have all been
cleared away—the land thoroughly drained to a depth
of four feet—roads and ornamental plantations formed
with a view to sites for villas, some of which are in
course of erection. A piece, containing 20 acres, has
been very recently fenced in near the entrance for the
purpose of out-door amusements, cricket, archery, &c.

In
Corber Woods which clothe the hill-side above the
town on the road to Manchester, some beautifully ro-
mantic walks have been laid out. By the natural
formation of the ground, an opportunity was given to
produce a varied effect within a limited space, and by
the aid of skill and ingenuity the most has been
made of it. Here, rhododendrons, with flowers,
ferns, and foxgloves luxuriate in abundance. The
higher walks command extensive views, while in the fore-
ground are seen the little dells which form the pretty
feature of the Corber Walks. Land has been set out
for building sites, called " The Quadrant," .in front of
the new hot baths, and three handsome shops and
houses have been already erected. Every facility and
encouragement, we are informed, is given by the duke's
agent to parties proposing to erect houses of a suitable
description ' • and when completed, "The Quadrant" will
form one of the many great improvements now happily
in progress at Buxton.

But after all, for utility and comfort combined, the
new baths are the attractive feature. In the Reporter,
a short time since, we gave a description of the baths at
the natural springs. They are now in full operation,
and finished and fitted up in a style of elegance that
must satisfy the most fastidious. The comfort of the
invalid and the fancy of the luxurious have been alike
consulted ; and in appearance, in cleanliness, and in
systematic arrangement, even to the minutest detail,
they are perfection. The wing containing the new hot
baths is not quite completed : it is very extensive, and
presents a magnificent front and side elevation. One por-
tion of it is to be opened next week, before the whole of
the wing is finished, in order to meet the increasing call
for the baths—the old hot baths, which still remain,
having become totally inadequate to supply the demand.
Those who knew Buxton previous to the commence-
ment of the improvements, can little imagine the altered
appearance of the place. The baths, the accommo-
dations, and everything about the place were behind the
times, and it is remarkable that under such disadvan-
tages Buxton should have maintained its position. The
fact speaks volumes for the efficacy of the waters, and
already has the better state of things attracted a vast 4
influx of visitors seeking relief from their healing powers.
These improvements have been carried out upon a scale
and in a manner so characteristic of the owner, his
grace the Duke of Devonshire.
Early yesterday morning the sound of hammers gave
note of preparation ; and in various parts of the town
men ardent in the work were busily engaged erecting
triumphal arches, and decorating the wells. At the
junction of the Bakewell and Fairfield roads two
large triumphal arches, surmounted by coloured
streamers, were placed. Passing along in the direction of
the Crescent, flags and various floral devices attracted
the eye, and there was a particularly neat little structure
composed of evergreens and flowers at Winster Place.
Triumphal arches,' with the duke's crest worked in
flowers, and surmounted by streamers, were erected at
both approaches to the Crescent ; and one also at the
corner leading to Upper Buxton. Gay flags and
streamers, and triumphal arches were, in fact, to be seen
in every direction ; and as the sun shone bright in the
heaven, the whole scene was one of busy delight.
The decorations at the two wells attracted many ob-
servers. The device at the well, situated in Higher
Buxton (near to the excellent large Hotel kept by Mr.
Wood), represented ancient ruins, the walls being formed
of a variety of wild flowers intermixed with moss ; the
pillars were done with different kinds of spar to repre-
sent granite, the caps, heads, and bases being worked in
flowers. Various animals were represented near the
ruins, which had a background of fir trees, and in front
a variety of jets played. The well in Spring Gardens
was decorated with a scroll pattern, done in wild
flowers ; both having been designed by Mr. Fanshaw,
inlayer of marble.
During the morning gaily-dressed people thronged to
Buxton by every inlet to the town, and at noon, when
the Buxton and several other bands from the neighbour-
hood commenced playing, some of the promenades and
streets were densely thronged. Shortly after twelve
his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, accompanied by Mr.
H. Cavendish, Mr. Cunningham, and Mr. Condell,
arrived, and was received by Mr. Smithers. His Grace
alighted from his carriage at 'the gate leading to the
Crescent, and immediately pitheeded to Higher Buxton
to see the decorations at theAvell, which, together with
the one in Spring Gardens,'ilie'lwas instrumental in pro-
viding for the inhabitants. : After viewing the floral de-
vices and mixing with the multitude, the noble
Duke inspected the Baths and Grounds, and visited the
elegant show-room of Mr. Selim Bright. A troop of
boys and girls from an endowed school were then mar-
shalled in the Crescent and treated with buns, after
which their tiny voices rang out " three times three
cheers for the Duke of Devonshire."
Hark the Buxton band approaches the Crescent,
playing the Morris Dance. A moment er two, and then
are seen two boys carrying a banner on which is inscribed
"Long live the Duke ;" next comes the band with its
enlivening tones, and then follows a most pleasing sight.
A dozen little girls dressed in white, with blue sashes
and straw hats, their little feet dancing the merry dance
as they move along, and ever and anon waving gay gar-
lands over their heads. Onward they go towards a
gaily-decorated pole in the centre, gracefully keeping
time to the music, to the evident delight of several
thousand spectators. At this time the scene was of the
most animated and interesting kind. The windows of
the Crescent were occupied with ladies and gentlemen,
whilst immediately in front the slopes and terrace walks
were literally covered with people. In the centre were,
the Morris Dancers, preparing to renew their gyrate:lß,
and above all—Duke and peasant alike—

" The summer heaven's delicious blue."

From the summit of the poll were suspended twelve
ribbons of various colours, each girl taking hold of one
with one hand, and with the other a small coloured ban-
ner. The band played, and then there was a series of
dances—the ribbons by the intricate movements being
woven, as it were, round the poll with the greatest
nicety, and presenting a diversity of most pleasing
colours. His Grace witnessed the evolutions of the
children with evident delight, and the dense body of
spectators repeatedly testified their approbation by clap-
ping of hands. The girls left the Crescent dancing,
preceded by the band, and then came the boys, who
were not so successful ; after which the several bands
were heard playing the Morris Dance in every di-
rection, and Buxton presented one general scene of
festivity.
His Grace the Duke of Devonshire left Buxton for
Chatsworth between four and five o'clock, after express-
ing the pleasure he had derived from his visit.
At the time we were compelled to leave (about four
o'clock) preparations were being made for the festivities
of the evening, which would, no doubt, be as varied and
cheerful in turn as those of the day. It was delightful
to see how even decrepid invalids joined in the pleasures
as they passed, and forgot, for the time at least, their
pains ; and frona what we saw indicated before we left

the scene, we could fancy the well-known lines of Gold-
smith prophetic of the occasion :

"And all the village train, from labour free,
Led up their sports beneath the spreading tree ;
While many a pastime circled in the shade,
The young contending as the old survey'd ;
And many a gambol frolick'd o'er the ground,
And sleights of art, and feats of strength went round;
And still, as each repeated pleasure tir'd,
Succeeding sports the mirthful band inspir'd,
The dancing pair, that simply sought renown
By holding out to tire each other down ;
The swain, mistrustless of his smutted face,
While secret laughter titter'd round the place."

We have little doubt, had it been possible to remain,
that we should have found the fireworks and fun as
fitting to the evening, as had been the flowerworks they
succeeded in the sunny hours that were gone, and to
which, in conclusion, a bright starry sky would not be
an unfitting crown.
An enthusiastic analogist, a hundred years ago, might
have said that in a region so mountainous, wild, and
bleak as the High Peak, where rheumatism and many of
its kindred ailments were sure to be rife, in consequence
of the cold and frequent showers, it was one of the
beautiful evidences of a designing Providence that medi-
cinal springs like those of Buxton had been ordained to
supply the remedy. Times have materially changed
since then. Planting and agriculture have altered all the
pictorial aspects of the neighbourhood, and buildings of
every needful kind are' rising as they are wanted, until
they may be at last regarded as on the high way to com-
pletion. Buxton, under good contrivance and good ma-
nagement, may now be considered as in a fair course of de-
velopment; and modern facilities for travelling have made
it far more accessible for those residing in London, and
in the remotest districts of the country, than a cen-
tury ago it was from many parts of our own county.
At one time it was a common observation that, though the
country at a short distance from Buxton, in any direc-
tion, was beautifully romantic, the town itself, and the
scenes immediately around, had little interest, except in
relation to the medicinal waters. But it was the busi-
ness of art to step in and complete what nature had left
undone, and one is at length made to harmonise so ex-
quisitely with the other, that, whether he stay about the
town, or ramble out, the visitor's eye is gladdened every-
where with something agreeable and cheering. If dis-
posed to a little exercise in retirement, there are wind-
ing wood walks close at hand ; or if the gaieties of the
promenade should better please, lawns and terraces are
equally at his service,—with the music of gentle waters
to soothe him in the first, and the occasional strains of
an excellent instrumental band to enliven him in the
second ; while every comfort may be commanded within
doors that the invalid could desire, or the fashionable
loiterer require, to relieve the hours of dull weather
when they happen to interfere with out-door diversions
and excursions. We said excursions : and what glorious
excursions may be made from Buxton ! With Spencer
Hall's new work " The Peak and, the Plain," Rhodes's
"Peak Scenery," or Adam's "'Gem of the Peak,"
for a companion—te Haddon or Chatsworth, Castle-
ton or Dovedale, and to all the beauties that abound
in the neighbourhood of Bakewell or of Matlock—
with a map full of sweet spots besides, that it would be
as impossible as unnecessary now to particularise—the
angler, the rambler, or the sketcher, might take his way
at his leisure, on foot or with the aid of a car if he needed
or preferred it, and fear no ill ; he might enjoy his fill
of pleasure and return in the evening or the next day—
the country having now a cheerful inn almost wherever
one could be desired for the accommodation alike of the
wayfarer or the sportsman who might wander too far for
an early return. Thus it is, that what was once little
more than a local benefit in the healing efficacy of the
Buxton waters, has been made a national one by the pro-
gress of the times, the improved modes of travelling,
and the increased accommodations of every kind in the
town itself ; and while the invalid is taking advantage
of all these, the invalid's friends can be relieved of tedium
and anxiety, either by residence or pop visits, as may
best suit their convenience ; so that ennui is about one
of the last things that need be complained of, since so-
ciety or solitude, gravity or gaiety, may be as rapidly
exchanged, one for the other, as the most versatile mind
could wish, while every service and attention that could
be desired is most assiduously rendered by the permanent
residents.

CRICKET.

REGENT'S-PARK ALBERT CLUB v. THAMES
DITTON.

This match was playedyesterday (Wednesday), on the
ground attached to the Eton Hotel, Adelaide-road,
Primrose-hill, and as regarded the first innings, was
decidedly in favour of the denizens of Surrey, mainly
owing to some very beautiful batting from Melbourne,
who scored 41 off the bat. Payne, on the part of the
Regents, did all that could be expected of him, but want-
ed some aid in the bowling department. The match was
Ron by Thames Ditton in one innings, the score being
as follows :—Regent's Park, 26 and 50 ; Thames Dit-
ton, first innings, 114.