Part 4 (2/2)
The other two are in the sayd Forest; one is neare unto the towne; the other is further off, almost two miles from it, beyond a place called _Haregate head_, in a bottome on the right hand of it, as you goe, and almost in the side of a little brooke.
The fift, and last (for which I have princ.i.p.ally undertaken to write this short Discourse) is an acide, or tart fountaine in the said Forest, commonly named by the vulgar sort, _Tuewhit-well_, and the _English Spaw_, by those of the better rank, in imitation of those two most famous acide fountaines at the _Spaw_ in _Germany_, to wit, _Sauvenir_, and _Pouhon_: whereof the first (being the prime one) is halfe a league from the _Spa_, or _Spaw_ village; the other is in the middle of the towne.
_CHAP_. 5.
_=A more particular recitall of the first foure Wells.=_
I purpose to speake somewhat more in this place of the first foure Springs mentioned in the former Chapter, in regard the consideration of them may perhaps give some light to those, who shall hereafter search further into the secrets, which nature may seeme to afford in the Country hereabouts.
The first is the _Dropping-well_, knowne almost to all, who have travelled unto this place. The water whereof distilleth and trickleth downe from the hanging Rocke over it, not onely dropping wise, but also falling in many pretty little streames.
This water issueth at first out of the earth, not farre from the said hanging rocke, and running a while in one entire current, continueth so, till it commeth almost to the brim of the cragg; where being opposed by a damme (as it were artificiall) of certaine spongy stones, is afterwards divided into many smaller branches, and falleth from on high in manner aforesaid.
It is therefore very likely, that Mr. _Camden_ in person did not see this Fountaine, but rather that hee had it by relation from others; or at least wise (if he did see it) that hee did not marke, and duly observe the originall springing up of the water, when in his _Britannia_ he saith thus: _The waters thereof spring not up out of the veines of the earth_, &c.
Concerning the properties and qualities thereof, I have nothing more to write at this time (there being formerly little tryall had of it) saving that divers inhabitants thereabouts say, and affirme, that it hath beene found to bee very effectuall in staying any flux of the body: which thing I easily beleeve.
The other three are sulphureous fountaines, and cast forth a stinking smell a farre off, especially in the winter season, and when the weather is coldest. They are all noysome to smell to, and cold to touch, without any manifest, or actuall heat at all; by reason (as may most probably be thought) their mynes, and veines of brimstone, are not kindled under the earth; being (perhaps) hindred by the mixture of salt therewith.
Those, who drinke of their waters, relate, they verily thinke there is gunpowder in them, and that now and then they vomit after drinking thereof.
The waters, as they runne along the earth, doe leave behind them on the gra.s.se and leaves a gray slimy substance, which being set on fire, hath the right savour of common brimstone. They are much haunted with Pigeons, an argument of much salt in them; of which in the evaporation of the water by fire, wee found a good quant.i.ty remaining in the bottome of the vessell.
One thing further was worth observation; that white mettall (as silver) dipped into them, presently seemeth to resemble copper: which we first noted by putting a silver porrenger into one of these; unto which _Sir Francis Trapps_ did first bring us. Which tincture these waters give by reason of their sulphur.
Touching their vertues, and effects, there may in generall the like properties be ascribed unto them, as are attributed unto other sulphureous Bathes actually cold, partic.i.p.ating also of salt.
The vulgar sort drinke these waters (as they say) to expell reefe, and fellon; yea, many, who are much troubled with itches, scabs, morphewes, tetters, ring-wormes, and the like, are soone holpen, and cured by was.h.i.+ng the parts ill affected therewith. Which thing they might much more conveniently, and more commodiously doe, if at that in _Bilton_ parke were framed 2 capacious Bathes, the one cold, the other to be made hot, or warme, by art, for certaine knowne howers a day.
_CHAP_. 6.
_=A more particular description of the fift, or last fountaine, called the_ English Spaw.=
This, being the princ.i.p.all subject of this whole Treatise, is in the said forest, about halfe a league, or a mile and a halfe west from the towne; from whence there is almost a continuall rising to it, but nothing so great, as the ascent is from the _Spaw_ village to the _Sauvenir_. This here springeth out of a mountainous ground, and almost at the height of the ascent, at _Haregate-head_; having a great descent on both sides the ridge thereof; and the Country thereabouts somewhat resembleth that at the _Spaw_ in _Germany_.
The first discoverer of it to have any medicinall quality (so far forth as I can learn) was one Mr. _William Slingesby_, a Gentleman of many good parts, of an ancient, and worthy Family neere thereby; who having travelled in his younger time, was throughly acquainted with the taste, use, and faculties of the two Spaw fountaines.
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