226 
LIFE OF DEAN BUCKLAND. 
[CH. IX. 
No doubt this stream, which Dean Stanley calls the 
“ vivifying centre of all that has grown up and around,” 
had much to do with the monks’ settlement on Thorney 
Island 1280 years ago. The monks practised the “ healing 
art,” and, though medical skill in those days was rude and 
simple enough, the monks knew that the secret of good 
health consisted in drinking pure water, and hence a Holy- 
well, or a Wishing-well, is to be met with in the precincts 
of most ruined Abbeys. No local traditions, it has been 
said, are “so durable as those writ in water.” In 1845 the 
bright pure water from the old pump in Dean’s Yard was 
still considered beneficial as an eye water, and Buckland 
prescribed it as such with the best results. London was 
not then supplied with water, as at the present time. 
Every day, and all the morning long, might be seen a 
continuous stream of water-carriers—men, women, and 
children—coming for the life-giving beverage. But it was 
in the middle of the day, when the “boys” came rushing 
out of school, that the scene became exciting between 
water-carriers and scholars. Buckets were hurled over the 
tall iron railings enclosing the playground, alongside which 
stood the famous pump ; the wooden yokes and chains, 
upon which the buckets hung, followed ; pitchers were 
seized, and the contents thrown in all directions. Great 
was the scrimmage ; plentiful the splashing, and loud 
the cracking of pottery; boisterous often were the jokes ; 
and lively was the merriment for a few minutes,—and 
then, boy-like, some other diversion was thought of, and 
the lads in their quaint black-tailed coats and white 
u chokers ” dispersed. 
