From the Preface:
'This little book is an attempt to make conceptions of the scenery, the labours,
and the associations of the several Shires, real and familiar to young readers.'

Derbyshire, Part II—THE DALES

pp. 91-92

'Derbyshire, like Yorkshire, is famous for its beautiful dales. But in Derbyshire the Peak sends its spurs south, instead of east,—long spurs which reach the middle of the county, and separate river valleys.

The Derwent Valley has a range of moor-hills on the east, and is enclosed by other hills and moors on the west. A very beautiful valley it is, with Chatsworth Park, the Duke of Devonshire's place; and further south, Matlock—among hills, Abraham Heights, which the visitors climb upon donkeys, and High Tor, a great crag with a steep face. Matlock is a fashionable place, crowded with visitors in the summer, who come to drink, and to bathe in, the warm waters of the spring.

When the underground recesses become too full to hold any more, the water is forced out in springs; and when the water is forced up in this way from a great depth, the springs are warm; for the deeper we get into the earth's crust, the warmer it becomes.

The water of these springs has often an exceedingly unpleasant taste; for the underground stream which at last breaks out into a spring, does not carry lime only with it, but iron and suplher, or magnesia, or soda, or whatever substance it passes through. As these substances are often medicinal, persons sufferng from certain complaints go to such springs to drink the waters. Those of Matlock are good for consumptive and rheumatic patients.

There are two other watering places with mineral springs in the Wye Valley, Bakewell, and Buxton, a pleasant place near the source of the river.'

There may be more information on this site
Matlock Miscellany
Matlock References

These following may be of interest
Books and other publications
Images of Matlock and Matlock Bath
Picture Gallery, Derbyshire.