THE BATHS, ANCIENT AND MODERN. 

 Charles E. Davis, F.S.A. 



'T'HE present Hot Mineral Baths occupy only a portion of 

 the site of the ancient establishments. A history of 

 these Baths would extend certainly over a period of eighteen 

 centuries, and possibly more ; for fragments have been dis- 

 covered, suggesting, though not demonstrating, the theory 

 that the foundations of the Baths may have been laid even 

 prior to the Roman occupation of Britain. 



The position of the Springs has been indi- 

 cated by geologists as being somewhat central 

 in the valley of the Avon, but on the south side of an up- 

 heaval of strata that diverted the river from a westerly to a 

 southerly direction. Previous to the erection of the Baths, 

 the hot springs must have risen from the foot of a slight 

 cliff, and flowed towards the river over a considerable tract 

 of land, known in mediaeval times as the " Ham Gardens," 

 and subject then, as at the present time, to frequent floods. 

 The Baths are supplied by three apparently separate 

 springs, which vary in heat only three degrees, and possess 

 identically the same properties. Their highest temperature 

 is 120°, but they scarcely rise to the surface at that heat. 

 The King's Bath Spring is the largest, and, when measured 

 a few years since, yielded. 167 gallons a minute ; but this 

 supply has been considerably increased by stopping the 

 leaks which existed amongst the ancient ruins, and through 



