The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Medicinal Waters.

The God of Nature hath not discovered himself so variously wonderful in any thing as in the waters of Fountains, Rivers, &c. England hath as large a share herein as any Country, and her springs wonderful on several accounts.

• 1. Colour, Black, Red, Yellow, &c.
• 2. Tast, Sweet, bitter, salt, acide, corroding, astringing, &c.
• 3. Odour, stinking of Sulphur, like the scouring of a gun very fowl.
• 4. Sound, beating somtimes like a March, sometimes like a Retreat on several occasions.
• 5. Heat, Luke-warm, and gradually hot even to scalding.
• 6. Weight, considerably heavier or lighter in proportion to other watters.
• 7. Motion, though many miles from the sea, sympathizing therewith eb∣ing and flowing accordingly.
• 8. Effects, some being surgeons to heale sores, others Physitians to cure diseases.

The last is proper for our pen, being the Largess of heaven to poor people who cannot go to the price of a costly cure. Of these more have been discovered by casu∣alty than industry, to evidence that therein we are not so much beholden to mans paynes as Gods providence. Many Springs formerly soveraign have since lost their vertue, yet so that other springs have found it, so that their sanative qualities may seem not taken away but removed. And as there are many mean men of great ability yet depressed in obscurity, so no doubt there are in our Land Aquae incognitae of concealed worth and vertue, in effect no whit inferior to those which in fame are far above them.

However the gift which nature holdeth forth may be doubled in the goodnesse thereof, if the hand of Art do but help to receive it, and the patients be prepared with Physick in the using of such water, otherwise fons vitae, may be fons mortis, if diet, due time, and quantity be not observed.

Some will say that our English waters must needs be raw, because so far from the fire, whilest those are better boyled, which lying more south are neerer the sun. But experience avow's the contrary, that England affordeth most sanative waters for English

bodies, if men were as judicious in taking, as Nature is bountiful in tendering them.

As for the Proprietaries of such (or rather of the ground surrounding such) Medi∣cinal waters, as I would not have them detrimented in the least degree by the conflux of people unto them: so it is injurious in my judgement for them to set them to sale and make gain of Gods free gift therein. I confess water was commonly sold in the land of Canaan proved by that passage in the* 1.1 Prophet, H•…•… every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money &c. Yea so churlish were the Edomites to the Israelites that they would not give, that is afford them* 1.2 water for mony. But it is considerable, Well-w ater in those hot Countries, was acquired with vast pains and expence, it being dearer to sink a well then build an house, besides many frustrations in that kind before their indeavous found full effect, which made it the more equal for the owners, by such sales to make profit, or rather to make up their reparations. But no such cost be∣ing expended in the case in hand, it may be accounted a kind of Simonie, in such as sell ease and help to poor people, though they may lawfully buy it, as passive and necessitated thereunto.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Isay 55. 1.
• * 1.2

  Deut. 2. 28.