The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-10-12
No. XTLL.
cAsTLEToN, goth JULY, 1926.

/ we arrived at Castleton. near the
extremity of the Peak, about y O'Clock
in the evening. The peep into the
vale, in which il stands, from the brow
of the high hill, down which the road
descends, is novel and beautiful. A
perfectly smooth, green, and deep ray
inc, SIX or eight miles long, and two
vide, divided into small fields by hedge
rows, stretches thousand feet beneath
you. Several small villages, with
matched roofs, and as many antique
spires, contributed TO the picturesque
scene.
After tea, fatigued as we were with
the visit TO Haddon Hall and CHatsworth.
having been upon our feet the whole
day, we walked 10 'sPeveril's Place in
the Peake," over which the genius of
Sir Walter Scott has thrown a new
charm. II is most interesting ruin.
and its location contributes much 10 its
effect, standing on an eminence several
hundred feet above the village, ON
which it looks down, like an eagle from
the crag. 1t is inaccessible on all sides
except the north, occupying a peak
where the cliffs are perpendicular, and
tremendous gnlf yawns below. The
Castle was built by William Peveril,
supposed TO be the natural son of Will
liam the Conqueror A tournament
once took place within the walls, at
which princes and knights of lofty bear
ing contended for the prize Of beauty,
who was heroine, aud would wed none
but an accomplished warrior.
Our ascent was extremely weari-
some, being up steep and green ac-
clivity, without path or foothold. For
tunaiely the distance was not great. All
the materials for the Castle and the en-
closure must have been carried up this
bilis work which seems impracticable
without artificial means, no traces of
which remain. William of Derby must
also have led his troops up the steep,
when he took the Castle by storm. Ii
it was as toilsome to them as to us, fee
bic indeed must have been the garrison
TO yield to whole army
The visit, however, richly rewarded
the labor. We reached the summit Just
at sunset. The rampant, now in ruins,
encloses an area of an acre or more. A
flock of sheep were grazing within the
wall, or lying upon the green sod. La
q cnase of fhick -.--ead. hanging ,,,,tsn The
verge of the cliffs, jack-daws III great
numbers nestled among the leaves, as
though they sought their homes for the
night. The mingled notes of the villa
gers-the low of cattle and the noisy
mirth of children" came soltened
from below" strongly reminding us Of
the beautiful picture in Goldsmith's De-
serted Village.
The castle is about twenty feet square
and thirty or forty in height. II is fast
going to decay. The steps have already
fallen, SO that there is no means Of as
cending TO the battlement. Green shrubs.
springing from The crevices in the inte-
rior, peep above the parapet; and q
kind of dry mountain grass growing up
on the projections, covers a considera-
Bile part Of the outside. A view Of the
grey ruin by twilight, associated as it is
with military events, feuial feats, and
numerous traditions, was extremely in-
teresting.
This morning at seven O'Clock, before
breakfast, we were again upon the alert.
A guide conducted US to the Peak Cav
ern, the entrance of which is at the
base of the precipice, upon which the
Castle stands. several hundred feet a.
bove. The mouth Of this cave is stu
pendous arch, the span Of which is 100
feet, and its height about 70. 1t is a lit
tie depressed in the centre, as if by the
weight Of the incumbent strata, forming
| a perpendicular cliff of limestone $50
feet high. The length of the first cay
ern is 1870 feet. lis roof is Enthusiastically
hung with stalactitess, formed by the
dripping of the water. Acrystal stream,
sufficient TO turn mill, issues from the
cave. To add to the novel and striking
scenery at the entrance, a number Of
poor people have converted it into
workshop, for the manufacture of Irvine,
whose voices in calling to one another
in the operation, send back unearthly
sounds.
At the termination Of the first cavern,
our guide committed us to the charge
of bis son, lad Of fourteen, and his lit.
lie daughter, at the age of eleven
This arrangement was not perfectly sat-
istactory, but was agreed TO rather than
to retreat. Each of US took lighted
candle, and entering Though a rude
wooden gate, commenced our subterra-
mean tour Of observation. The first
pause is at a place called the Dollhouse,
where there is an enlargement Of the
cave, aud the roof assumes the shape Of
a bell. On leaving this place, the rock