a chain of very high mountains in the county of Derby in England, famous for the mines they contain, and for their remarkable caverns. The most remarkable of these are Pool's hole and Elden's hole. The former is a cave at the foot of a high hill called Codmoor, so narrow at the entrance that passengers are obliged to creep on all-fours; but it soon opens to a considerable height, extending to above a quarter of a mile, with a roof somewhat resembling that of an ancient cathedral. By the petrifying water continually dropping in many parts of the cave are formed a variety of curious figures and representations of the works both of nature and art. There is a column here as clear as alabaster, which is called The Queen of Scots Pillar, because Queen Mary is said to have proceeded thus far when she visited the cavern. It seems the curiosity of that princess had led her thus far into this dark abode; and indeed there are few travellers who care to venture farther; but others, determined to see the end of all, have gone beyond it. After sliding down the rock a little way, is found the dreary cavity turned upwards: following its course, and climbing from crag to crag, the traveller arrives at a great height, till the rock, closing over his head on all sides, puts an end to any further subterraneous journey. Just at turning to descend, the attention is caught by a chasm, in which is seen a candle glimmering at a vast depth underneath. The guides say, that the light is at a place near Mary Queen of Scots pillar, and no less than 80 yards below. It appears frightfully deep indeed to look down; but perhaps does not measure anything like what it is said to do. If a pistol is fired by the Queen of Scots pillar, it will make a report as loud as a cannon. Near the extremity there is a hollow in the roof, called the Needle's Eye; in which if a candle is placed, it will represent a star in the firmament to those who are below. At a little distance from this cave is a small clear stream consisting of hot and cold water, so near each other, that the finger and thumb of the same hand may be put, the one into the hot water and the other into the cold.

Elden-hole is a dreadful chasm in the side of a mountain; which, before the latter part of the last century, was thought to be altogether unfathomable. In the time of Queen Elizabeth, a poor man was let down into it for 200 yards; but he was drawn up in a frenzy, and soon after died. In 1682, it was examined by Captain Collins, and in 1699 by Captain Sturmy, who published their accounts in the Philosophical Transactions. The latter descended by ropes fixed at the top of an old lead-ore pit, four fathoms almost perpendicular, and from thence three fathoms more obliquely, between two great rocks. At the bottom of this he found an entrance into a very spacious cavern, from whence he descended along with a miner for 25 fathoms perpendicular. At last they came to a great river or water, which he found to be 20 fathoms broad and eight fathoms deep. The miner who accompanied him, insisted that this water ebbed and flowed with the sea; but the Captain disproved this assertion, by remaining in the place from three hours flood to two hours ebb, during which time there was no alteration in the height of the water. As they walked by the side of this water, they observed a hollow in the rock some feet above them. The miner went into this place, which was the mouth of another cavern; and walked for about 70 paces in it, till he just lost sight of the Captain. He then called to him, that he had found a rich mine; but immediately after came running out and crying, that he had seen an evil spirit; neither could any persuasions induce him to return. The floor of these caverns is a kind of white stone enamelled with lead ore, and the roofs are encrusted with shining spar. On his return from this subterraneous journey, Captain Sturmy was seized with a violent headache, which, after continuing four days, terminated in a fever, of which he died in a short time.

Several years ago this cavern was visited by the late Mr James Ferguson: who tells us, that it consists of two hollows one over another; but that the mouth of the lowermost is now stopped up by planks of timber laid across it, on which is a heap of stones thrown in at the upper mouth with a design to fill up the cavern entirely; which, however, will probably be never accomplished on account of its vast size.

PEAK of Teneriffe. See TENERIFFE.