played, over which rose the tower of the church, but not one obtrusive feature appeared to disturb the repose of the scene; and the extent of the place might be traced by the smoke from the cottage chimnies, as it slowly ascended above the loftiest branches of the intervening trees. A steep and rugged hill lay on our left, on whose summit stands an old dilapidated castle, venerable in ruins and hoary with years. Beyond the village, the view is terminated by the high rocks and bleak eminences of the Winnats, and a little to the right, Mam Tor rears her majestic head above the surrounding hills. The space between Castleton and the mountains that bound the western extremity of the vale, was indistinct and in shadow, whilst the last light of the setting sun, gradually softening until it became exquisitely tender, lingered on the tops of the adjacent hills. A combination of more favourable circumstances could hardly occur, and a soothing tranquillity---a mild and chastened glow of pleasurable feeling---took possession of the mind as we contemplated the scene before us. carriage moved slowly along as I hastily wrote the following impromptu to the setting sun :--

Oft have I marked, bright orb! thy opening ray
Give the glad promise of a perfect day;
Watch'd thee slow sailing through thine azure sea,
Till all the glowing heaven was full of thee;

Beheld the clouds of evening intervene,
Spreading a purple radiance o'er the scene,

Thy last light lingering on the mountain's brow,—
Deep shadows resting in the vale below:

But never saw thee shed a sweeter ray,

E'en on the loveliest close of an autumnal day.

Our

Shortly after our arrival at Castleton we visited the castle, an uncouth, ill-shapen ruin, which stands on the verge of a rocky precipice,

that forms the ponderous roof of Peak's Hole. This dismantled fortress, though not a bad object from some parts of the dale, is utterly devoid of those picturesque appendages on which the eye of the artist loves to dwell, and it sinks into insignificance amongst the wild scenery that surrounds it.

The antiquary, however, will contemplate the "ancient Castle of the Peake" with other feelings, and its dilapidated walls, rude and unshapely as they are, may be to him a source of gratification. The top of the hill where the castle stands is but a circumscribed plot of ground, nor can it at any time have been sufficiently ample to accommodate the numerous establishment of a great feudal chieftain ; yet the family of the Peverils are said to have occasionally resided here, and not without pomp and splendour. Mr. King, who has minutely described this castle in the sixth volume of the Archæologia, is of opinion that it was a place of royal residence during the government of the Saxons: others contend that it is a Norman structure, and that it was probably built by William Peveril, the natural son of William the Conqueror, to whom the traditions of the country ascribe it, and who certainly possessed it at the time of the Doomsday Survey, in the record of which it is denominated "the CASTLE OF THE PEAKE."

It has been remarked that this castle cannot at any time have been well calculated for defence, because there being no well or reservoir of water within its walls, it could but ill maintain a procrastinated siege to this observation it has been replied, that the spring at the upper extremity of Cave Dale might by some very simple contrivance have been made to furnish the garrison with this necessary article.

Another, and a more ample supply, lies more conveniently: this conjecture may therefore be abandoned, without injuring the reputation for strength which this fortress, supposing it to have been one, may have had. A well has been recently discovered on the summit of the hill called Long Cliff, between which and the castle there is a communication, though now a very dangerous one, across the narrow ridge of rock that overtops the entrance into Peak's Hole. This well is built of the same kind of stone as the castle, and it is so situated as easily to be made available for an abundant supply of water.

Night was now rapidly closing in upon us: we therefore descended the steep side of Castle Hill, and on re-entering the village that lies at its base, we observed the church lighted up for evening service : this we learned was a new arrangement made by the minister, in opposition to the wishes of the inhabitants of Castleton, who had been accustomed to go to church in the morning and afternoon, by day-light. Notwithstanding this convenient practice, the minister refused to attend at the usual time, and he substituted an evening for an afternoon service. The churchwardens urged that the distant parishioners would be greatly inconvenienced by this innovation on long established usage, and they objected to furnish lights; therefore those who attended carried lanterns and candles from their houses, and placed them in their pews in the church, which was thus lighted when we beheld it.

Early the following morning we visited PEAK'S HOLE, one of the most striking and sublime objects in the mountainous districts of Derbyshire. This place is well known, and its dark mysterious labyrinths have been frequently described with a minuteness of detail