BUXTON, a t. in Derbyshire, 33 m. n.w. of Derby. It lies 900 ft. above the sea, in a deep valley, surrounded by hills and moors, which have been tastefully planted; the only approach being by a narrow ravine, by which the Wye flows into the Derwent. The new part of the town is much under the level of the old. Five in. to the e. of B. is Chee Tor, a perpendicular limestone rock, rising to a height of between 300 and 400 ft. from the Wye. B. has, for 300 years, been famous for its calcareous springs, tepid (82° F.), and cold (discharging 120 gallons of water per minute), and its chalybeate springs. It is visited annually, from June to October, by 12,000 to 14,000 persons, the waters being taken for indigestion, gout, rheumatism, and nervous and cutaneous diseases. Nearly 5000 strangers can be accommodated at one time. There is. an institution, called the Devonshire hospital, containing 100 beds, supported by sub scription, where nearly 1000 patients are annually boarded and lodged free of charge.
The baths and public walks are numerous. Much of the splendor of B. is due to the dukes of Devonshire, one of whom, in the last century, at the cost of £120,000, erected an immense three-storied pile of buildings of gritstone, called the Crescent, a curve of 200 ft., with wings of 58 feet. It includes several hotels, a library, assem bly rooms, etc. Near B. is the Diamond hill, famous for its crystals; and Poole's hole, a stalactitic cavern 560 yards long. The Romans had baths here. Mary Queen of Scots resided for some time at B., when in the custody of the earl of Shrewsbury. B. is approached by railway both from n. and s.; and the baths, which were rebuilt some years ago, are considered among the finest in Europe. The town, which in 1871 had a population of 3717, is rapidly increasing. Four newspapers are pub lished.