17. As there stated, most of the
property about Seend now belongs to W. H. Ludlow Bruges, Esq. M.P.,
who preserves the well; but its waters are not resorted to for
sanatory purposes. - J. B.]
___________________________________
Memorandum. That Dudley, Lord North, grandfather to Sir Francis North,
Lord Keeper, and Baron of Guildford, returning from his travells from
the Spaw, &c. making a visit to the Earle of Leicester at Penshurst,
his relation, as he was riding thereabout made observation of the
earth where the water run, the colour whereof gave him an indication
of its vertue. He sent for galles, and tryed it by evaporation, &c.
and found out the vertue, which hath ever since continued and donne
much good to the drinkers, and the inhabitants thereabout* This
discovery was this year (1685), about seventy-five years since, and
'tis pitty it should be buried in oblivion. My Lord Keeper North told
me of this himselfe.
*At Tunbridge and Epsom Wells, where were only wild commons, now are
abundance of well-built houses. [The changes and improvements at
Tunbridge Wells have been very great since Aubrey wrote. In 1832 I
wrote and published an octavo volume- " Descriptive Sketches of
Tunbridge Wells and the Calverley Estate", with maps and prints. Since
that time the railroad has been opened to that place, which will
increase its popularity. Epsom Wells are now deserted. At Melksham, in
the vicinity of Seend, a pump-room, baths, and lodging-houses were
erected about twenty-five years ago; but fashion has not favoured the
place with her sanction.
Pages:
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69