Of OXFO\D^Sm%E. 19 
cold ; whence I think it may not be illogically concluded, That 
the colder the Air^ the nearer to purity , and confeqiientially 
more healthy : Which is alfo very fuitable to the dodrine of Hip- 
pocrates^ who fpeaking concerning the healthy fituation of Ci- 
ties, fays, That fuch which are placed to cotdwinds^ ^ c^jtos/ to 
(pAAcLi vyM^vif it^oxXn^i. i. e. that though their If at ers are harjb and 
cold^ yet for the mofi part they are fweet^ and the Inhabitants healthy 
andbrisk-) founds and free from dtfluMons, And fo indeed in the 
main I find them here, of a very chearful humor, affable, and 
courteous in their Deportment; neither fparing, nor profufe in 
their Entertainments, but of a generous temper, fuitable to the 
fweet and healthful Air they live in : Whereas the Inhabitants of 
fenny and boggy Countries^ whofe Jpirits are doggd with perpetual 
Exhalations, are generally of amoreftupid^ andunpleafant conver-^ 
fation, 
3. That the qualities of Waters and Soyls, together with the 
fituations of places to the refpedive Quarters of the World, 
make them more or lefs healthy,according to the great Hippocra- 
tes^ there is no doubt. But to thefe I muft beg the favor of ad-- 
ding, not only more fwafive but more irrefragable proof ; I mean, 
the great age and conftant health of perfons that have been lately^ 
and are now living here : Richard Clifford, not long fince of BoU 
fcot in this County^ died at 1 14 years of age : Brian Stephens^ 
born at Cherlbury-t but Inhabitant of Woodfiock.^ dyed laft year at 
103. Where alfo there now lives one George Green (but born at 
Enfiam') in his hundredth year : at Kidlington one M"" Hill was 
born, and lived there above an hundred years : and at Oxford 
there is living, befide feveral near it, a Woman (commonly called 
Mother George') now in her hundredth year current. The pleafanc 
fituation of which City is fuch, and fo anfwerable to the great 
Reputation it ever had in this refpeft, that it muft not by any 
means be paft by in filence. 
4. Seated it is on a riling Ground, in the midft of a pleafant 
and fruitful Valley of a large extent, at the confluence, and ex- 
tended between the two Rivers of Ifis and Cherwell^ with which 
it is encompafs'd on the Eafi^ Weft^ and South ; as alfo, with a 
ridge of Hills at a miles (or fomwhatmore) diftance, in the form 
* Hippocr- icipfcifj t) JW'tov TBTmv, Id. ibid, 
C 2 of 
