The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-02-08
.At9ceUamp.
LETTERS FROM EURoPE-No. xxx.
Mansfield, 30th August, 1926.

From Derby we rode TO MatlOck, a
disiafce of fifteen or twenty miles, for
the purpose Of visiting one of the prn-
cipai Watering places in England. at
seasonwhen il is most ;hronged with
company, and with the view of compar-
ing il With the Mineral Springs of New
York. The road leading 10 il passes
along TIE banks Of the Derwent, up "a
narrow, but green and beautiful vale,
hemmedin on either side by ranges Of
hills, and sprinkIed with number of
pretty villiges, the largest of which is
Belper. viii its neat church and grey
turret rising on the declivlty. Most of
the housesand cottages are built Of stone
from the reighboring cliffs, harmonic
ing with th surrounding scenery. The
Derwent crossed in many places by
bridges oflhe same material, benealh
which the little river giides peacefully
on, a perfect mirror TO its verdapt
shores
We arrived just at twilight. and with
much difficulty crowded ourselves into
The prlnclp4l hotel, denominated the
Old Bah, which stands hig5 up the &C
clivity, and affords from its windows
some otthe finest views o The scenery
about llatlock. Beneath a copse of
trees, Il ne handsome enc losure IN
front otthe house, fine hand Of mu-
SIC ever evening take their station, and
The eo.e,ot some plaintive air steal over
the "oson If the stream, or, mingling
with tht murmur Of lis waters, die. in
echoes along the hills. To complete
he romDce of the scene, on the night
of our arrival the full moon rose above
tie hill, uuobscuted by clouds, and
poured silver tide of radiance into the
valley, hrowing softer light over the
Landscape.
HaviIg said thus much for Matlock, |
hav@ said all. is mineral waters "a
mount . nothing. They are but slight
y tepid requiring artificial heat TO pre-
pare them for a warm bath. So far
as we could Judge. they are perfectly
tasteless, and the efficacy asc!ibed to
them might probably with more justice
be attributed to exercise, rural quiet,
and the sanitary influence of this lmag-
nation. If Congress Springs enjoyed
equal advantages of natural scenery
with Matock, it would become more eel
ebrated than the fount of Helicon.
have yetseen no Spas that will bear a
comparison with the bright sparkling
and salubrious waters.
The society at the English watering
place appears to be much the same as al
ours 1t is an assemblage of all classes.
thrown pramiscuously together, and
lett TO assert themselves into coteries
according TO their several aflinities.-
They breakfast and dine at common
table, which is very unusual at hotels in
this county. At dinner, those salutary
rules as 10 dress and etiquette, which
govern polite society, are observed
anc at tea, they assemble in the drawing
room, as the members of one family
Music, dancing, conversation, cards, oil
other amusements, constitute the pleas.
ure OF the evening. On the night Of
cur visit, a large party of ladies ant
gentlemeD formed circle and amused
themselves with "Jack at all trades, ,
or q" do as | do,'' putting successfully
every limb 10 motion, and producing
not little noise. In the midst of the
sport, word came that the Bishop o
London ives in the room below, and tha
ms medi'atlonS might be disturbed by
the Jarrlug of the ceiling but the so
cIal circle seemed 10 be of the opinion,
that the ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of this
dlgnitary did cot extend 10 the courts o.
pleasure above, and they therefore
proceeded IN their amusements.
The Duke of York AID the Duke
of Devonshre, with party of ladies'
were al Matlock the day before our ar.
rival, and we therefore missed the OPP
portunity of seeing them. From des
criptlons by those who were present
me style in which their HIghnesses ap
peared must have been Iudlcrou:
enough. One of the carriages wa,
drawn by three horses, two of whict
were harnessed so as to go sidezcoys II
the road, instead of straight forward. !
IS said TO be the Russian mode of riding
The poshlllions were in a livery, fash
lonable in the country of the Gas
Such is the folly in which high life vii
sometimes indulge, for the sake of dis
tinction and to make the multitude
stare If an ordinary person had beer
guilty Of such within, he would have
been set down for madman or a fool
but as it originated with persons o
quality, all the fashionables in the king
dom will probably hereafter ride il
this same way.
Having passed two daysat the cele