Mineral IVaters at Cheltenham^ 19 



tinity of the town, which stands on the north side of a high 

 ridge of hills in the vale of Gloucester, are many handsome 

 and pleasantly situated villages, picturesque landscapes, and 

 solitary richly variegated hills, which render Cheltenham aa 

 object of attraction, even to those who cannot be biassed by 

 native partiality. 



Nothing can be affirmed with certainty in regard to the 

 derivation of the name of this town. According to some, 

 it is from a brook which rises in the parish of Dowdeswel), 

 and takes its course on the south side of the town. It long 

 flowed '* unknown to fame," but is supposed to have ori- 

 ginally been called the Chelt. Others again find the origin, 

 of Cheltenham in the Saxon word Chilt, which signifies an 

 elevated place, and ham, denoting a farm or village. It is 

 situated 94 f miles W.N.W". from London. Its population, 

 according to the late survey taken by order of parliament, 

 amounts to 2,639 inhabitants, which number is increased 

 during the summer season by an almost equal number of 

 transient visitors. 



Cheltenham and its neighbourhood (indeed Gloucester- 

 shire in general) is said to be famous for the healthiness of 

 its inhabitants and the longevity they reach. In the reign 

 of James I., eight old men, all belonging to one manor in 

 that county, whose ages added together made as many 

 centuries, danced a morrice-dance. That several neighbours 

 should reach the age of a hundred is nothing very wonderful 

 in several situations and countries, but that they should be 

 able to dance is certainly a singular circumstance. 



About two miles north of Cheltenham lies the delightful 

 village of Preshuryy a place secluded by orchards and trees 

 of every kind, so as to form a sylvan scene round almost 

 every house ; and about April and May, when the fruit- 

 trees are in blossom, no situation in the neighbourhood can 

 afford a richer prospect than this. 



At a distance of about three miles and a half is the famous 

 Seven JVells Head, or the source of the Thames, which 

 being the highest point of the most illustrious British streams, 

 will infallibly attract the notice of every person of taste who 

 visits the neighbourhood. 



B2 At 



