"This fifth Spaw is a Mile and half from Knaresburgh, up a very
gentle ascent, near Harrigate, has much the same Situation as the
foresaid Spaws in Germany. It was discovered first about fifty
years ago, by one Mr. William Slingsby, who had travelled in
Germany in his younger Years, seen, and been acquainted with
theirs; and as he was of an ancient Family near the place, so he
had fine Parts and was a capable Judge. He lived some time at a
Grange-House near it; then removed to Bilton-Park, where he spent
the rest of his Days. He, using this Water yearly, found it exactly
like the German Spaw. He made several Tryals of it, then walled it
about, and paved it in the bottom with two large Stone-flags, with
a Hole in their sides for the free Access of the Water, which
springs up only at the bottom, through a Chink or Cranny left on
purpose. Its current is always near the same, and is about the
quantity of the Sauvenir, to which Mr. Slingsby thought it
preferable being more brisk and lively, fuller of Mineral Spirits,
of speedier Operation; he found much benefit by it. Dr. Tim.
Bright, about thirty years ago, first gave it the name of the
English Spaw: Having spent some time at those in Germany, he was
Judge of both; and had so good an Opinion of ours, that he sent
many Patients hither yearly, and every Summer drank the Waters
himself. And Dr. Anthony Hunter, late Physician at
Newark-upon-Trent, often chided us Physicians in York, for not
writing upon it, and deservedly setting it upon the Wings of Fame."
A more consistent form has been given to the error by Grainge, who in 1862 published a memoir of the Life of Sir William Slingsby, Discoverer of the first Spaw at Harrogate. Grainge, like Hargrove, had only access to Short's summary, but he sees the difficulty to which I have alluded, for he writes[14]:—
"From the uncertain expression of the Dr. 'about 50 years ago' the
date of this discovery is generally fixed in the year 1576, though
it is probably twenty years or more too early, as at that time
Slingsby would only be fourteen years of age: and could not have
travelled much in Germany or elsewhere: while the expression 'in
his younger days' would infer that the discovery was not made until
he had attained middle age at least."
Grainge accordingly dates Captain (or Sir) William Slingsby's discovery to 1596 or later, the origin of the expression "near the close of the 16th Century" of the recognised history.
In the first place Dr. Short is inaccurate in that Deane states it was discovered "55" years ago, and not "50." In the second place, the only authority whom Grainge could rely upon was Deane, either directly or indirectly, and Deane could not have made the discoverer to be a boy of nine years of age (not fourteen) for he must have known Sir William Slingsby, a contemporary. Finally, Grainge only consulted the summary of "Spadacrene Anglica" and not the actual work, and it is to be noted that Deane in Chapter 6 says the first discoverer "so far forth as I can learn." These words are not in the summary, but they show that Deane had given care to his work, and if Sir William Slingsby had been the discoverer, Deane could have obtained his information at first hand, and would have given Sir William Slingsby as his authority.
Grainge was an eminent and careful historian, and he has written a number of valuable works. He had the acumen to see that Sir William Slingsby could not possibly have been the discoverer in 1571, and it is fairly certain that if he had had access to Deane's work, he would have rectified the error as regards Sir William, instead of questioning the accuracy of Deane's statement.
Little has been added to the account of Mr. William Slingsby as given by Deane, but it has been shown at any-rate that the facts of his life fit in perfectly with that account.
The medicinal qualities of the Tuewhit Well having been discovered by Mr. William Slingsby in or about the year 1571, this gentleman did "drink the water every yeare after all his life time" and averred that "it was much better, and did excell the tart fountaines beyond the seas." Much pains were taken to bring the waters into notoriety in the interests of humanity, and by reason of a pardonable national pride that the country could boast of a health resort in every way comparable with the famous German health resort of Spa. Chief among these early advocates of this home fountain was Dr. Timothy Bright, who is responsible for naming the well the "English Spa," which name was apparently adopted by the gentry partaking of the water, whereas the common folk still cling to the ancient name of Tuewhit Well.
Timothy Bright has had a varied literary history. For about three centuries he was almost entirely forgotten, and some of his works even ascribed to purely imaginary authors. In recent years full justice has been done to his name as the "father of shorthand" following the publication by J.H. Ford in 1888 of the tercentenary edition of his work entitled "Characterie," and since that year there has been much written of him. The curious may therefore consult the works mentioned in the footnote,[15] but it will suffice for my purpose to give a brief sketch of his life, not as the "father of shorthand," but as one of the fathers of Harrogate.
Timothy Bright was born in Cambridge in the year 1551, matriculated in Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1565, and took his B.A. in 1567-8. He then went to Paris to study medicine, and in 1572 narrowly escaped the Massacre at Paris on St. Bartholomew's Eve by taking shelter at the house of Sir Francis Walsingham, the English ambassador. Returning to England he graduated M.B. in 1574 and M.D. in 1579. In 1584 he was well launched on his medical career, for he was the physician at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. By this time he had achieved some reputation as a writer and had obtained the friendship of the powerful Cecil Lord Burghley, Sir Francis Walsingham and Sir Philip Sidney, which probably explains how his now famous work "Characterie" was in 1588 dedicated to Queen Elizabeth. His connection with these powerful personages led to a change in his profession and incidentally to his connection with Harrogate, for on July 5th, 1591, the Queen presented him to the Rectory of Methley in Yorkshire, and on the 30th of Dec., 1594, also to the Rectory of Barwick in Elmet in the same county. He held both these livings till his death, which took place in 1615. By his Will he left his body "to be buried when and where it shall please God." He was no mean linguist for he bequeathed his Hebrew Bible and a Syriac Testament as well as Greek, Latin and Italian works to his brother. His books of Phisick and Philosophie he bequeathed to his sonne Titus Bright, M.D. He was fond of music and possessed the standard work on harmony by Joseph Zarlino. This he left, along with some instruments of music, a Theorbo and an Irish harp, "which I most usuallye played upon" to his brother.
In spite of the fact that he took holy orders, it is evident from "Spadacrene Anglica" that he was held in high esteem as a physician (albeit non-practising) by his contemporaries in Yorkshire, and his travel abroad in Germany well fitted him for the post of advocate, which from humane and patriotic motives he assumed on behalf of the English Spa.
Deane states that Bright first gave the name of English Spaw "about thirty years since, or more," that is, in 1596 or earlier. This would seem to indicate that Bright's association with Harrogate began shortly after he was presented to the Rectory of Barwick in Elmet in 1594.
Dr. Bright was a prolific writer and the names of his works are given in a footnote.[16] Some of his books passed through several editions. Burton's "Anatomy of Melancholy" is said to have been suggested by his "Treatise of Melancholy," and Shakespere was evidently acquainted with his book, "Characterie, an Arte of shorte, swifte and secrete Writing by Character."
Hargrove appears also to be the earliest to assert that Bright was the first writer on Harrogate. In his "History of Knaresborough" it is merely stated "soon after its discovery Dr. Bright wrote on its virtues and uses."[17] There is no authority for that assertion in any of the works of Dr. Bright mentioned in the footnote, and the only evidence in support of Hargrove is that given by Wheater,[18] who writes:—
"Dr. Bright was first to rush into description and he acquits
himself with true Elizabethan flavour. He observes regarding the
water that 'It occasions the retention of nothing that should be
evacuated and by relaxation evacuates nothing that should be
retained. It dries nothing but what's too moist and flaccid, and
heats nothing but what's too cold, and e contra: that though no
doubt there are some accidents and objections to the contrary, it
makes the lean fat, the fat lean, cures the cholic and the
melancholy, and the vapours: and that it cures all aches speedily
and cheereth the heart.' Such a recommendation," &c.
This quotation, which is apparently the only evidence in support of Hargrove's assertion that Bright wrote the first account of the English Spa, is not taken from Bright's writings at all, but from Dr. Short's summary of "The Yorkshire Spaw." "The Yorkshire Spaw" was a treatise written by Dr. John French in 1652, and so far therefore from being written by Dr. Bright, was actually written thirty-seven years after Bright's death.
It is perhaps only fair to the memory of both Hargrove and Wheater to state that neither of them would have fallen into this error if they had had the privilege of reading Deane's dedication to "Spadacrene Anglica," in which he states that Dr. Bright intended to write an account "in case hee had longer lived." No edition after the original edition contains this dedication, for, as will be shown later, this very important part of Deane's work was omitted by John Taylor in the second edition and was not restored in any of the later. Moreover it is quite clear from the dedication of Taylor's edition, in 1649 that copies of the original edition were even then unobtainable, owing probably to the commotions which had accompanied the civil war.
I may here therefore emphasise the good service that has been done to restore the true history of the medicinal waters of Harrogate, by the reprinting of the original edition of "Spadacrene Anglica" by my friend Dr. Rutherford.
Before passing to the Bibliography of "Spadacrene Anglica," a brief mention must be made of Michael Stanhope, Esquire, whose two books did much to add to the celebrity of the English Spa, and were afterwards associated with the later editions of "Spadacrene Anglica." His first work was published towards the end of 1626, and is entitled,
"Newes out of Yorkshire, or an account of a journey, in the true
discovery of a sovereigne Minerall, Medicinal Water in the
West-Riding of Yorkeshire, neere an Ancient Towne called
Knaresbrough, not inferior to the Spa in Germany. Also a taste of
Other Minerall Waters of severall natures adjoyning" By M.S.
Ecclest. 38. 4. The Lord hath created Medicines out of the Earth:
he that is wise will not despise them.
A large extract has already been given from this book, which was dedicated "To the Right Honourable, the Vertuous, and Religious Lady, the Lady Katherine Stanhope, wife to the Lord Philip Stanhope, Baron of Shelford."
Stanhope's other work was entitled,
"Cures without Care, or, a summons to all who finde little or no
help by the use of ordinary physick to repaire to the Northerne
Spa. Wherein by many Presidents of a few late yeares, it is
evidenced to the world, that infirmities in their own nature desperate
and of long continance have received perfect recovery in the west
Riding of Yorkshire. Also a description of the said water, and
of other rare and usefull springs adjoyning, the nature and efficacie
of the Mineralls contained in them, with other not impertinent
notes. Faithfully collected for the publique good by M. St."
Tibul. "felix quicunque dolore
alterius disces posse carere tuo,"
London, 1632.
Stanhope dedicated this work "To The Right Honourable, Thomas Lord Wentworth, etc., Lord President of his Majesties Council established in the North." Lord Wentworth is better known as the Earl of Strafford, and was beheaded in 1642. In it is contained a catalogue of persons who have received either benefit or cure by the waters.
An abridgement of the two works of Stanhope was made by John Taylor and published in 1649 under the title "Spadacrene Anglica ... Treatise of the learned Dr. Deane and the sedulous observations of the ingenious Michael Stanhope, Esquire." The ingenious Michael Stanhope, Esquire, also appears in the 1654 edition, but in that published in 1736, Stanhope appears as Dr. Stanhope. Short[19] seems to have been the first to make Stanhope a member of the medical profession. His opinion was soon adopted by others, and has apparently never been questioned. After a perusal of "Newes out of Yorkshire" and "Cures without Care," it is difficult to understand how Short arrived at his conclusion, for the internal evidence is entirely opposed to it. Even in the extract from "Newes out of Yorkshire" already quoted, it is obvious that Stanhope dissociates himself from the physicians with the party, for he writes, "then the physitians began to try their experiments," "three other physitians of allowable knowledge," and he refers to Deane as "one who is far from the straine of many of his profession." This extract was selected for an entirely different purpose, yet it is clearly not the language of a fellow-physician in practice in York. Short himself partially recognizes this. He only summarised "Cures without Care," and he justly remarks of the cures therein related that "some whereof are perhaps the greatest and most remarkable in the Authentic Records of Physic down from Hippocrates to this day." Short writes fully a century after "Cures without Care" was published, whereas Taylor was a Apothecary in York and a contemporary of both Deane and Stanhope there, and is accordingly the best authority on the status of Stanhope.
A clue to the identity of Stanhope offers itself in the dedication of "Newes out of Yorkshire" to Lady Katherine Stanhope, wife to the Lord Philip Stanhope, afterwards the Earl of Chesterfield. An outline of the pedigree of the Stanhope family was obtained from the College of Arms and is here partly reproduced to show the relationship of Stanhope to Lady Katherine Stanhope.
A Michael Stanhope entered Christ's College, Cambridge, in 1597-8, and Gray's Inn in 1593-4, but there is no evidence to identify him with Michael Stanhope the second son of Sir Edward Stanhope, and the author of "Newes out of Yorkshire" and "Cures without Care." It may be mentioned that in the latter book, Stanhope discovers and describes the well at present known as John's well.
1626.
First Edition.
1649.
"Spadacrene Anglica," the English Spaw, or The Glory of Knaresborough. Springing from Severall famous Fountaines there adjacent, called the Vitrioll, Sulphurous, and dropping Wells: and also other Minerall Waters. Their nature, Physical use, Situation and many admirable Cures being exactly exprest in the subsequent Treatise of the learned Dr. Dean and the sedulous observations of the ingenious Michael Stanhope, Esquire. Wherein it is proved by Reason and Experience, that the Vitrioline Fountain is equall (and not inferior) to the Germaine Spaw. Aris[t]on men udôr. Published (with other additions) by John Taylor, Apothecary in York, and there printed by Tho: Broad, etc., 1649.
The important and felicitous letter of dedication in the first edition is discarded, and one of Taylor's own composition, of a very different character is substituted for it. In it occurs the following, which is of bibliographical interest: "The importunate desire of my friends has forced me to reprint this little Treatise of Dr. Dean's Spadacrene Anglica, which the vacillation of these distracted and ruinous times had almost lost and obliterated. To this of Dr. Dean's I have added the Observations of Michael Stanhope, Esquire, which I have excerpted forth of his two books of the Spaw."
1654.
"Spadacrene Anglica," etc., York, printed by Tho: Broad, etc., 1654. The title is the same as the 1649 reprint, except for the fact that Taylor's name does not appear on it. His dedication is also omitted.
1734.
Thomas Short, M.D., "The Natural, Experimental and Medicinal History of Mineral Waters."
In this volume, there are summaries of Deane's "Spadacrene Anglica": Stanhope's "Cures without Care": and French's "The Yorkshire Spaw," etc.
1736.
"Spadacrene Anglica, or The English Spaw." Being An Account of the Situation, Nature, Physical Use, and admirable Cures, performed by the Waters of Harrogate, and Parts adjacent. By the late learned and eminent Physician, Dr. Dean of York, and also the Observations of the ingenious Dr. Stanhope. Wherein it is proved by Reason and Experience the vitrioline Fountain is equal to the German Spaw. To which are added Some Observations (Collected from modern Authors) of the Nature, Vertues and Manner of Using the Sweet and Sulphur Waters at Harrogate, Leeds, etc., 1736.
1921.
The present edition, reprinted from the 1626 edition.
[1] "Encyclopædia Britannica," 11th ed., 1910-11, vol. xiii, page 27.
[2] J. Aikin, "Biographical Memoirs of Medicine in Great Britain from the Revival of Literature to the time of Harvey," 1780. Wm. MacMichael, "Lives of British Physicians," 1830. T.J. Pettigrew, "Medical Portrait Gallery," 1838. G.T. Bettany, "Eminent Doctors, their Lives and their Works," 1885.
[3] Watson, J., "The History and Antiquities of the Parish of Halifax in Yorkshire," 1775.
[4] "The Register of Halifax," Part 1, 1910, page 205.
[5] "The Register of Halifax," Part 2, 1914, page 253, The Yorkshire Parish Register Society.
[6] Anthony A. Wood, "Athenæ Oxoniensis," ed. Bliss, vol. ii, page 660. "Alumni Oxoniensis," arranged by Joseph Foster. Vol. 1, 1500-1714.
[7] Camidge, Wm., "Ye Olde Streete of Pavement," York, c. 1893.
[8] Davies, R., "Walks through the City of York," 1880, page 247.
[9] cf. "Spadacrene Anglica," page 125.
[10] "Spadacrene Anglica," page 92.
[11] "Pedigrees of the County Families of Yorkshire," Joseph Foster, 1874, Vol. 1 (West Riding).
[12] E. Hargrove, "The History of the Castle, Town, and Forest of Knaresbrough, with Harrogate and its medicinal Springs." 2nd. ed., 1775, page 45. I have not seen the 1769 ed.
[13] Thomas Short, M.D. "The Natural Experimental and Medicinal History of the Mineral Waters, etc." 1734, page 238.
[14] Grainge, W., "Memoir of the Life of Sir Wm. Slingsby." 1862. Page 16.
[15] "Athenæ Oxoniensis," ed. by P. Bliss, 1815, vol. 2, 174, footnote by Rev. Joseph Hunter. Dictionary of Nat. Biography, 1886, vol. VI. "Dr. Timothy Bright, Some Troubles of an Elizabethan Rector," by Rev. H. Armstrong Hall, 1905, in vol. xv; and "The History of the Parish of Barwick in Elmet," by F.S. Colman, M.A., Rector, 1908, in vol. xvii of the Publications of the Thoresby Society. "William Shakespeare and Timothy Bright," by M. Levy, 1910. "Timothe Bright, Doctor of Physicke, A Memoir of the Father of Shorthand," 1911, by W.J. Carlton. His Will is published in "Yorkshire Archæological Journal," 1902, vol 17.
[16] "A Treatise: wherein is declared the sufficiencie of English Medicines for the cure of all diseases cured with medicine," T.B. 1580.
"Hygieina, id est de sanitate tuenda, Medicinæ Pars prima." 1581.
"Medicinæ Therapeutiæ pars: de dyscrasia corporis humani." 1583.
"Therapeutica, hoc est de sanitate restituenda. Medicinæ Pars altera."
"In Physimam G.A. Scribonii Animadversiones." 1584.
"A Treatise of Melancholie. Containing the causes thereof, & reasons of the strange effects it worketh in our mindes and bodies, with the phisicke, cure, and spirituall consolation for such as have therto adjoyned an afflicted conscience, etc." 1586.
"Characterie, an Arte of shorte, swifte and secrete Writing by Character. Invented by Timothe Bright, Doctor of Physike." 1588.
"An Abridgement of the Book of Acts and Monumentes of the Church." 1589. Better known as "Foxe's Book of the Martyrs."
[17] E. Hargrove, "The History of Knaresbrough." 2nd ed., 1775, page 45.
[18] W. Wheatear, "A Guide to and History of Harrogate," 1890, page 58.
[19] Thomas Short, M.D., "History of Mineral Water," 1734, page 243.
TO
THE PHYSITIANS OF YORKE.
hough it was my fortune first of all to set a new edge on this businesse; yet my journeyes to this Fountaine have not been made without your good companies and association, nor the severall tryals had there, and at home, performed without your worthy helpes and assistance; nor this little Treatise begun without your instigations and incitements. Therefore I find none so fit and meet to patronize it, as your selves: being able out of your owne knowledge and observation to defend it against all malicious detractions. To extoll it above the Germaine Spaw, may be thought in me either indiscretion, or too much partiality; but why I may not parallele them (being in natures and qualities so agreeable) nor I, nor you (I suppose) know any inducing, much lesse perswading argument. Wherefore being thus confident, I thought it no part of our duties, either to God, our King, or Country, to conceale so great a benefit, as may thereby arise and accrue not onely unto this whole Kingdome and his Majesties loving subjects, but also in time (after further notice taken of it) to other foraigne nations and countries, who may perhaps with more benefit, lesse hazard and danger of their lives, spoiling and robbing, better partake of this our English Spaw Fountaine, then of those in Germanie.
It were to be wished, that those two famous Physitians, Dr. Hunton and Dr. Bright had beene yet living, to have given testimony of the great good hopes and expectation they conceived of it. The former of which did oftentimes request me to publish it to the world: and the other was resolved (in case hee had longer lived) to have done it himselfe. So carefull were they both to promote their countries good, and studious to procure the health of their Countrimen.
I am as briefe and plaine, as possibly I may, to the end the Reader may not be wearied, nor the patient deluded; and, if for these causes I may seem to bee censured, yet I am well assured, that to your selves brevity and perspicuity cannot, but bee acceptable. So wishing you all happinesse, I shall ever rest and remaine
From my house in Yorke,
this 20th. of April,
1626.
Your assured friend,
Edm; Deane.
naresbrugh (commonly called Knaresborow) is a very ancient Market towne in the West-Riding of Yorkeshire, distant 14 miles from the City of Yorke; where the Pole is elevated 54 degrees, and 20 odde minutes. On the South-west part thereof is that faire, and goodly Fort, so much renowned, both for the pleasant situation, and remarkable strength, knowne by the name of Knaresborow Castle, seated on a most ragged and rough Rock; whence (as learned Mr. Camden saith) it is so named.
Both the Castle and the Towne are fenced on the South and West parts with the River Nid: which is beautified here with two faire Bridges of stone, which lead from the Towne into the Forest adjoyning, as also unto a large empaled Park of his Majesties, called Bilton-parke, well stored with fallow Deere: part whereof is bordered with the said river.
The Towne it selfe standeth on a hill, having almost on every side an ascent to it; and about it are divers fruitfull valleyes well replenished with grasse, corne, and wood. The waters there are wholesome and cleare; the ayre dry and pure. In briefe, there is nothing wanting, that may fitly serve for a good and commodious habitation, and the content and entertainment of strangers.
Many things are very observable in this place, which because they rather do appertaine to the volumes of Geographers, & Antiquaries, then to the purpose intended in this little treatise, are here omitted.
Although there are in sundry places of this Kingdome as many, or moe severall kinds, and sorts of earths quarreyes of stone, minerals, and mines of mettalls, then in any other Realme whatsoever; notwithstanding no one place hath beene observed to have them either in such plentie, or variety in so small a distance, as this. For here is found not onely white and yellow marle, plaister, oker, rudd, or rubricke, free*stone, an hard greet-stone, a soft reddish stone, iron-stone, brimstone, vitreall, nitre, allum, lead, copper, (and without doubt diverse mixtures of these) but also many other mineralls might (perhaps) be found out by the diligent search and skilfull industrie of those, who would take paines to labour a little herein.
All which do manifestly demonstrate, that nature hath stored this little territorie with a greater diversitie of hidden benefits, then great and spacious Countries otherwise abounding in outward native commodities, and that the fountaines, or springs of water hereabouts cannot otherwise then participate of their severall natures, and properties.
As generally most parts of the West Riding of Yorkeshire (especially the hilly and more mountaineous places thereof) are stored with fountaines and springs of cleare, limpide, and pure simple waters; so likewise the territorie here abouts is not without plenty of them. Two whereof have gotten and purchased that reputation, as to be saincted: The one called by the name of Saint Magnus, or Mugnus-Well: th' other, that of Saint Roberts.
These, formerly for a yeere, or two, have beene in great request in these parts amongst the common sort, much sought unto by many, and great concourse of people have daily gathered and flocked to them both neere, and a farre off, as is most commonly seene, when any new thing is first found out. Fama enim grescit eundo, even unto incredible wonders and miracles, or rather fictions, and lyes. All which commeth to passe as wee may well suppose, through our overmuch English credulity, or (as I may better say) rather superstition. For to any such like Well, will swarme at first both yong and old (especially the female sexe, as ever more apt to bee deluded) halt, lame, blind, deafe, dumbe, yea, almost all, and that for all manner of maladies and diseases, both inward and outward.
But for as much, as these are springs of pure, and simple waters meerely, without any mixture at all of minerals to make them become medicinable, it is verily thought, that the many & severall cures, which have bin attributed unto them in those times, when they were so frequented, were rather fained, and imaginary, then true, and reall; and that those, who then visited them, were desirous (either to uphold, and maintaine the credit, and reputation of their Saints, or else, to avoyd the scorne and derision of their owne delusion) to have others likewise deceived.
Time hath quite worne all their strength, and consumed all their vertues; so that nothing of worth now remaines with them, saving onely their bare names and titles: Sic magna sua mole ruunt.
Wherefore to omit these, as scarce worthy the mentioning; those are chiefly here to be described, which doe participate of minerall vertues, and faculties.
Out of the divers Fountaines springing hereabouts, five are worthy the observation of Physitians. The first whereof is very neare unto the river banke, over against the Castle, called by the name of the Dropping-well, for that it droppeth, distilleth, and trickleth downe from the hanging rocke above. The water whereof hath a certaine quality or property to turne any thing, that lieth in it, into a stony substance in a very short space.
Three of the others (being all of them much of one, and the same nature) are termed by the country people thereabouts the Stinking-wels, in regard they have an ill, and fetide smell, consisting most of Sulphure-vive, or quicke brimstone. One of them, and that which hath the greatest current, or streame of water, is in Bilton park.
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 principally 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.
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 grasse 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 quantity 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, participating 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 washing 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.
This, being the principall 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.
In his latter time, about 55 yeeres agoe it was his good fortune to live for a little while at a grange house very neare to this fountaine, and afterwards in Bilton Parke all his life long. Who drinking of this water, found it in all things to agree with those at the Spaw. Whereupon (greatly rejoycing at so good and fortunate an accident) he made some further triall and assay: That done, he caused the fountaine to be well, and artificially walled about, and paved at the bottome (as it is now at this day) with two faire stone flags, with a fit hole in the side thereof, for the free passage of the water through a little guttered stone. It is open at the top, and walled somewhat higher, then the earth, as well to keepe out filth, as Cattle for comming and approaching to it. It is foure-square, three foot wide, and the water within is about three quarters of a yard deepe.
First we caused it to be laded dry, as well to scoure it, as also to see the rising up of the water, which we found to spring up onely at the bottome at the chinke or cranny, betweene two stones, so left purposely for the springing up of the water at the bottome: Which as Pliny observeth in his 31 booke of his Naturall History and the third Chapter, is a signe above all of the goodnesse of a fountaine.
"And above all (saith he,) one thing would bee observed, and seene unto, that the source, which feedeth it, spring and boyle up directly from the bottome, and not issue forth at the sides: which also is a maine point that concerneth the perpetuity thereof, and whereby wee may collect, that it will hold still, and be never drawne drye."
The streame of water, which passeth away by the hole in the side thereof, is much one, and about the proportion of the current of the Sauvenir.
The above named Gentleman did drinke the water of this Fountaine every yeare after all his life time, for helping his infirmities, and maintaining of his health, and would oftentimes say and averre, that it was much better, and did excell the tart fountaines beyond the seas, as being more quicke and lively, and fuller of minerall spirits; effecting his operation more speedily, and sooner passing through the body.
Moreover Doctor Timothy Bright of happy memory, a learned Physitian, (while hee lived, my very kind friend, and familiar acquaintance) first gave the name of the English Spaw unto this Fountaine about thirty yeares since, or more. For he also formerly had spent some time at the Spaw in Germany; so that he was very able to compare those with this of ours. Nay, hee had futhermore so good an opinion, and so high a conceit of this, that hee did not onely direct, and advise others to it, but himselfe also (for most part) would use it in the Sommer season.
Likewise Doctor Anthony Hunton lately of Newarke upon Trent, a Physitian of no lesse worth and happy memory, (to whom for his true love to mee, and kind respect of mee, I was very much beholden) would often expostulate with mee at our meetings, and with other Gentlemen of Yorkeshire, his patients, how it came to passe, that I, and the Physitians of Yorke, did not by publike writing make the fame and worth thereof better knowne to the world?