Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume I.djvu/128

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[116]

facturing Derbyshire spar into a variety of beautiful ornamental forms; vases, pillars, &c. The round patterns are worked on vertical lathes, the square figures on horizontal ones; and both polished with emery powder and putty. One large water-wheel is sufficient for the whole machinery of the manufactory, which is novel, simple, and ingenious.

Derby, independently of the different objects of curiosity we have described, is in itself worth seeing, from the beauty of its situation on the Derwent, and the pleasing scenery of its environs; particularly the country about Little- Chester, a mile below Derby, which, being said to have been a Roman station, the Derventio of that people, led us a delightful walk by the banks of the Derwent to its scite. But stat nominis umbra, only the name remains; and even the acuteness of a Stukely would be insufficient to discover any traces at present of classical antiquity. Its assembly-room affords an example of the munificence and taste of the Duke of Devonshire, at whose expcnce it is furnished. The singularity of All-Saints' church, also, is remarkable; to the beautiful Gothic tower of which, built in the reign of Henry VIII. is added a Grecian body by Gibbs, about eighty years ago, of the chastest proportions, and most classical design. It is only to be regret-