258 SPA WATER. 
Tunbridge Wells is a populous village, situated in a 
sandy but romantic valley in the county of Kent, about 
five miles from the town of Tunbridge, and thirty-six 
miles south of London. There are, at this place, many 
chalybeate springs, all of which nearly resemble each 
other in their chemical properties. Two of them, how- 
ever, are chiefly used, each of which yields about a 
gallon of water in a minute. 
When first taken from the stone basin into which it 
flows, the water is perfectly clear and bright, and ex- 
hales no particular smell. It does not sparkle in the 
glass, but a few bubbles slowly separate, and adhere to 
the sides of the vessel. When it has stood for some 
hours, exposed to the air, it becomes turbid, and other- 
wise undergoes a very material change. As it does not 
properly curdle soap, it may be denominated a soft 
water. 
The original discovery of this water, as to its medical 
properties, is usually considered to have been in the 
reign of James the First. The season for drinking it 
commences as early as March or April, and continues 
till November. 
294. SPA WATER, the celebrity of which has given a ge- 
neral appellation to most other mineral springs, is a highly 
carbonated chalybeate water, which contains a great propor- 
tion of carbonic acid (2'6). It has an agreeable acidulous 
taste, mixed with a strong impression of chalybeate, which re- 
maim on the palate for a considerable lime after it has been 
drunk. 
It contains oxide of iron (21), chalk, carbonat of magnesia, 
carbonat of soda (20 1), and common salt, together icith about 
forty five parts in a hundred of carbonic acid gas or jixed air 
(26) ; and is sufficiently soft to mix both with milk and soap 
without curdling. 
Spa is a small but celebrated town in the Nether- 
lands. It is situated on the little river Weze, about 
twenty miles south-east of Liege, and seven miles south- 
west of Linsburg ; and is surrounded by rude and un- 
