brilliant streams." Such indeed is the character of the dales,
especially those through which the Derwent, the Dove, and the Wye
meander. Hitherto we have but adverted to the natural beauties of the
country; although they are checkered with many mouldering relics
of "hoar antiquity"--many crumbling memorials of ages long past,
reminding us of the nothingness of man's labours, yet harmonizing most
happily with the feelings inspired by the natural sublimities of the
scene. By such associations, the decaying glories of art lend even a
charm to ever flourishing nature!

The Cuts are but three vignettes from the architectural lore of the
district. They stand in sheltered valleys, though, as their ruinous
condition implies, their situation has not saved them from the
destroying hand of time. Indeed, one of them, Beauchief Abbey, gives
name to its locality, Abbey Dale, not far from the partition line that
separates Derbyshire from Yorkshire. In this road, the ruin in the Cut
is the first object that claims the attention of the tourist in his
progress to the Peak; being part of a once magnificent abbey, founded
by Robert Fitz-Ranulph, Lord of Alfreton; as an expiation for the part
he is said to have taken in the murder of Thomas à Becket. The
late Dr. Pegg, the antiquary, discountenances this tradition. His
arguments, however, which are chiefly founded on the circumstance of
the brother of Robert Fitz-Ranulph, being afterwards in great favour
with Henry the Second, do not appear conclusive, particularly when
opposed to the authority of Dugdale, Fuller, Bishop Tanner, and others
who have written on the subject.[1]

[1] Dugdale says, "Robert Fitz-Ranulph, Lord of Alfreton, Norton,
and Marnham, was one of the four knights who martyred the blessed
Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury; and afterwards founded