S E C T I O N V.
■ Account o f the Adits or Galleries»
I n Derbyftiire there are many levels, adits,
or galleries, to-free the mines' from water,
which are often admired by foreigners. One
o f the mofl: conliderable is at Wirkfworth,
called Cromford Sough, relieving an extensive
mineral tra£t of its water, to the depth
of the drain. "This fough pafles from the
north eaft to the fouth weft, and is full, two
miles in length. The adventurers, wit-ha
laudable fpirit, expended 30,000!. in its
completion, and the mines pay a proportion
of lead ore to the proprietors of this grand
drain. Yet the mines about Wirkfworth
are now beneath the level; and it is tendered
of no farther ufe.*
Another Jough has been driven from a
lower level, that of the Derwent, at a great
expence, and is called Wirkfworth moor
fough. It is to the eaft of that town ; and
is near three miles in length. This level
will lay the mines dry for feveral fathoms,
but it is not yet fettled what contribution is
to be made from the miners to the proprietors.
It is fingular that a low level in
the limeftone lays a great courfe of country
dry, all the waters falling into it for a con^
fiderable diftance.
At Youlgrave is one of the longeft levels
*T h e relieving of the mines at Wirkfworth, by the fpirited
enterprize of driving the level, is become only a fecondary
object; for the water delivered by it at Cromford, has proved
of amazing value, and was the fir ft ftream employed by the
late Sir R. Arkwright, to work his cotton mill. This water
continues to work one of the largeft cotton mills in the kingdom,
and has the great advantages of not being fubjed either
10 confiderable iocreafc or diminution.