In _Cumberland_ we saw the black-lead mine, from whence your pencils, young gentlemen, are furnished, which have assisted you in adorning my dressing-room with such handsome drawings.
While we staid in _Northumberland_, we went to see the coal-pits, from whence we who live in the southern countries are supplied: the cargoes are shipped from _Newcastle upon Tyne_, which is also famous for its fishery of Salmon.
The young gentlemen, I hope, will accept of a pair of shoe-buckles from _Birmingham_, in _Warwickshire_, and the ladies of a pair of scissors from _Sheffield_, in _Yorkshire_; both places are famous for the manufacture of hard-ware.
While we were in _Derbyshire_, we went to see the dropping-well near _Buxton_: which gives the appearance of stone to every thing that is put into it; and I have brought you some petrifactions from thence.
One day we spent at _Buxton_, and saw the company who go to drink the medicinal waters there.
We likewise went to see _Poole’s Hole_, by _Buxton_; but of that you will find a better account than I can give you in the _Gentleman’s Magazine_, written by a gentleman who went with a party to visit it.
I have brought your Mamma, Miss _Lydia_, some ornaments for her mantle-piece, made of Derbyshire spar; and an egg of that substance for your sister _Caroline_’s netting: the spar is said to be water petrified as it drops through rocks, and to take the variety of its colours from the different metals or minerals it passes through.
I have likewise brought a carpet for your papa’s study, from _Kidderminster_, in _Worcestershire_, which, I think, he will not esteem inferior to the Turkey carpets, which we fetch from so far.
From _Dunstable_ in _Bedfordshire_ I have brought a set of little tea-things, some work-baskets, and some toys for the young folk, all made of straw, like your hat, Miss _Lydia_. And now, perhaps, I have tired you by talking, and you will be better pleased with seeing all my collection.
The young people listened with great attention to the lady. Soon after she produced her treasures, and desired them to recollect the place from whence each came.
They acquitted themselves very well, and were not deficient in proper thanks to their aunt, for her kind attention to them.