FERRY OVER THE DERWENT, MATLOCK BATH
Drawn by T. Allom
Engraved by J. W. Lowry
The engraving of the Ferry was from a picture by Thomas Allom[1] and
was published in London (1837) for "The Counties of
Chester, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Rutland, & Lincoln
Illustrated". The steel engraving was executed by
Joseph Wilson Lowry (1803-1879)[2].
The hand colouring is a later addition.
Orchard Holme, later the Derwent Gardens, is on the right
and Lovers' Walks is on the left bank. In 1838 William Adam
observed that both the boats and walks "had been upwards
of 80 years in the possession of Mr. Walker and his father,
whose civility, attention, and reasonable charges to the visitors,
give universal satisfaction. The charge for the Boats and
seeing the walks is only 6d. each."[3]
Henricus pointed out that "he keeps the extensive walks
in repair.-He also pays a rent to Mr. Arkwright so we think
that he deserves encouragement"[4].
There were those who believed everything should free, with
total disregard for individuals having to pay for the lease
of the land and its upkeep, which probably explains the comment.
The Mr. Walker who Adam and Henricus both referred to was Richard
Walker, the innkeeper of Walker's Hotel[5].
The building on the left, amongst the trees, was his shop.
It, too, was also mentioned by Henricus: "Mr. Walker has
a spar shop across the ferry, and manufactures a few of his
own goods ; the assortment is good, and none of the articles
expensive"[4].
Thomas Walker, Richard's son, was to take over The
Royal Museum
from Mr. Vallance in the 1850s. When he did so Adam remarked
thst he had "long
been connected with the spar and marble business, which he
has carried on for years over the ferry by the boats"[6].
He had inherited the boats from his father[7]. |
| References:
[1] Thomas Allom (1804-1872)
was a watercolourist and illustrator, an architect and topographical
artist. Allom's drawings were engraved
for travel books in the 1830s. The Oxford
Dictionary of National Biography has more information about
him.
[2] Joseph Wilson Lowry was born in
London. His father was the engraver Wilson Lowry and his grandfather
was also an artist. See the DNB link above.
[3] Adam, W. (1838) "The Gem
of the Peak; or Matlock Bath and Its Vicinity. ..." London;
Longman & Co., Paternoster Row ; ... Mawe, Royal Museum,
Matlock ; .... This was the first edition of his guide.
[4] Extracted from Henricus (1838) "The
Matlock Tourist; and Guide Through the Peak ..."
[5] Richard was the son of Adam Walker.
See Richards's baptism in
Jan 1769 and burial
in 1849. Also Bath
Terrace Hotel.
[6] Adam, W. (1857, 6th edition)
"The Gem of the Peak; or Matlock Bath and Its Vicinity.
... John and Charles Mozley, Derby and 6, Paternoster Row, London;
Bemrose ....
[7] See Pre
1858 Wills, Surnames W for Richard Walker's Will
|
