CATARACTS, AND INUNDATIONS, 1J5 



second city, though some contend, the third port, in Great Britain, 

 for trade, wealth, and number of inhabitants, Liverpool having for 

 some years equalled and at length surpassed it in commerce. 



BRISTOL HOT-WELLS are much resorted to, being considered as 

 highly efficacious in consumptive and debilitated cases. They are 

 at the distance of about a mile from the city, on the side of the 

 Avon. At St. Vincent's rock, above this well, are found those 

 native or rock crystals known by the name of Bristol stones. Near 

 this tepid well is a cold spring, which gushes out of a rock, on the 

 side of the river, that supplies the cold bath. 



GLASTONBURY, likewise in Somersetshire, was formerly famous 

 for its mineral waters, but having been taken incautiously and im- 

 properly, they are reported to have proved fatal to many who drank 

 them ; yet they have been found serviceable in the asthma, dropsy, 

 corbutic disorders, and even in cancers. 



CHELTENHAM, in Glocestershire, eight miles to the south-east 

 of Tewksbury, and eighty-nine from London, is celebrated for its 

 mineral spring, which is a purgative chalybeate, like that at Scarbo. 

 rough. This town was rapidly advancing into importance in 

 consequence of having received a visit from their Majesties in 1/88$ 

 but the medical properties of its spring have varied in reputation, 

 by the caprice of public opinion. 



HOLY WELL, in Flintshire, is famous for SAINT WINIFRED'S 

 WELL, which is one of the finest springs in the world, and on 

 account of the sanctity in which it was held, gave name to the town. 

 It pours out twenty-one tons of water in a minute, which running in 

 the middle of the town, down the side of a hill, is made use of by 

 every house as it passes, after which it turns several mills, is used 

 in various manufactures, which greatly increase the population of 

 the place, and its neighbourhood ; the township containing more 

 than four thousand souls. Over the spring, where there is a hand' 

 some bath, is a neat chapel, which stands upon pillars, and on the 

 windows are painted the* chief events in St. Winifred's, or Wene- 

 frede's life. About the well grows some moss, which people foolishly 

 imagine to be St. Winifred's hair. This Saint is reported to have 

 been a virgin martyr, who lived in the seventh century, and as the 

 legend says, was ravished and beheaded in this place by a pagan 

 tyrant ; the spring having miraculously risen from her blood. Hence 

 this bath was much frequented by Popish Pilgrims, out of devotion, 



