the Tfland of St. Miguel. 607 
ferve ftrong fprings in the lake, but could not determine 
whether they were hot or cold: this lake feems to have 
no vifible evacuation. The other fprings immediately 
form a confiderable river, called Ribeira Quente^, which 
runs a courle about two or three leagues, through a deep 
rent in the mountains, on each fide of which are feveral 
places where the fmoak iffues out. It difcharges itfelf 
into the lea on the South fide, near which are fome 
places where the water boils up at fome diftance in the 
fea. 
This wonderful place had been taken little notice of, 
until very lately ; fo little curiefily had the gentlemen of 
the ifland, that fcarcely any of them had feen it, until of 
late l'ome perfons afflicted with very virulent diforders, 
were perluaded to try its waters, and found immediate 
relief from them. Since that time it has become more 
and more frequented; feveral perfons who had loft the 
ufe of their limbs by the dead palfy have been cured ; 
and alfo others who were troubled with eruptions on 
their bodies. 
A clergyman, who was greatly afflicfted with the gout, 
tried the faid waters, and was in a fhort time perfectly 
cured, and has had no return of it fince. When I was 
there, feveral old gentlemen, who were quite worn out 
(b) Hot river. 
6 
with 
