A nineteenth century carte de visite of Black Rocks, possibly dating
from about 1875. Two men are admiring the view. From this angle
the rock they are sitting on is reminiscent of a large smiling
whale. However, in 1857 and unnamed local journalist submitted
this witty piece to a Derbyshire newspaper and suggested something
slightly different:
"CURIOUS PROFILE.- At the distance of about two miles
from Matlock, on the road between Cromford and Wirksworth,
stands the picturesque rock of Stonnis. It has always been
an object of interest as the principal feature in a scene
of exquisite natural beauty. Latterly it has attracted more
than ordinary attention, from the discovery that the craggy
outline of the mountain, when viewed from a particular spot
on Cromford Moor, presents a most correct profile of the
great moralist, Mr Punch. So perfect is the likeness
that the spectator generally bursts into an involuntary laugh
on recognizing it. This profile, though not a sun-picture,
is drawn by nature's own hand and probably existed some thousand
years ago, and will most likely exist when our witty contemporary,
if he is not immortal, shall himself be no more. Perhaps,
the great teacher, when apprized of the circumstance, will
tell us that nature long ago foretold his future eminence
by carving this bust or profile in his honour. - So mote
it be"[1].
So, Mr Punch or a whale - it is up to you to decide what description
best suits the photograph.
The men on the rocks, who are enjoying the view.
Note their suits and hats, normal wear at that time. |
Edward Bradbury, who used the pen name of Strephon, wrote about
a great deal about Derbyshire in both newspapers and books.
In 1880 he travelled on the footplate of various engines
along the eight sections of the Cromford and High Peak Railway
from Whaley Bridge to Cromford. "We pass directly under
Black Rocks and see through the green veil of the sunlit
wood that vision of Matlock, with the deep crags of the Derwent
valley, which is like a piece of sublime theatrical scene
painting from a romantic opera"[2].
In another of his articles, this time in 1884, he stood at
the foot of Stonnis "a group of piled up embattled crags
so ponderous and sombre that they have been called the Black
Rocks. ... The topmost blocks projecting over the precipice
look like threatening cannon. The highest of them are pointed
out the furthest ; and one monster mass of iron-like stone,
a natural 100 ton gun, broad at the breach, and narrow towards
its muzzle, aims across the land, as if the tall pine gunners
standing behind had orders to fire on the battlements of Riber
Castle on the opposite hill[3]".
Goodness, this is very different from Mr. Punch or a smiling
whale. The Victorians always did like melodrama.
On the back.
No publisher. |
Cromford is mentioned in the following on-site transcripts:
|
References:
[1] "Derbyshire Advertiser
and Journal, 22 May 1857 (Under Miscellaneous).
[2] "Derbyshire
Times",18 September 1880.
[3] "Derbyshire Times",
4 June 1884. |
Derbyshire's
Parishes, 1811, Parishes C-D
