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probably built by some of the knights Templars, in the reign of Henry I. soon after the institution of that order.

Before I conclude this tour, I cannot help mentioning the CONDUIT, which stands in the front of the county-hall. The water is brought by an aqueduct, which was made at the sole charge of Thomas Hobson, who was carrier between London and this town, in 1614. The name of this benevolent man will always be remembered: it has entered into a common proverb; and though the occasion may appear trifling, yet I must regard it as redounding to his honour, since it was the consequence of a considerate disposition, and worthy of the giver of the Conduit. Hobson used to furnish the scholars with horses; and in this profession he made it a fixed rule, that every horse should have an equal share of labour. With this view he would never let one out of its turn; and, hence the proverbial saying:

Hobson's choice: this or none.

Adieu!-I remain here: but our friends left me yesterday, on their way to London, through Royston and Pickeridge, which is the shortest and most pleasant road. I give you this hint, as much for my own benefit, as yours; for I hope that you will speedily favour me with your promised visit, and find that I have been a faithful, though concise, delineator of my destined Alma Mater.

*No person of taste should pass through Royston, without visiting the singular subterraneous chapel, formed by dame Roisiade, who married the first earl of Essex, 1144. It stands under the middle of the street, and was discovered in 1742. It was wholly cut out of the solid chalk, and contains many curious sculptures in relief. Though so far below the surface of the earth, it is perfectly dry.

TOUR

TO THE

PRINCIPAL SEA-BATHING PLACES,

AND

MINERAL WATERS,

IN ENGLAND AND WALES.

IN A LETTER TO THE EDITOR.*

Bath, October, 1806.

PERMIT me, Sir, to offer an original and addi

tional tour of considerable extent and interest, as an appendage to your very entertaining and useful collection. I have spent a great part of the summer that is just elapsed, in rambling from one place of public resort to another, and I will endeavour to supply you with a brief account of the localities and prominent features to each. Such a tour I have always thought is wanting to the completion of your valuable work; and if my rapid view of objects. should appear to you sufficiently satisfactory for general readers, I shall have great pleasure in assisting to fill up the deficiency.

*For a more ample account of the places of public resort, see "The Guide to the Watering and Sea-bathing Places," and the various local Guides.

In the account which I am about to present, I shall preserve somewhat of geographical order, leaving London, my usual place of residence, and proceeding round the coasts or crossing the country, by the shortest and most agreeable routes to the principal objects of my attention. And though, comparatively, few may be induced to follow me in the same track, I am convinced that the tour I have sketched out is not only more pleasant and more salutary, but also little more expensive than devoting two or three months instead of two or three days to the same place.

TUNBRIDGE-WELLS.

In company with two friends set out from the metropolis early in June, for TUNBRIDGE-WELLS, distant thirty-six miles. Passing through Bromley, Seven Oaks, and Tunbridge town, soon reached the WELLS, lying in a sandy bottom, closely environed by steep hills, and consisting of four divisions, Mount Ephraim, Mount Pleasant, Mount Sion, and what is called the Wells, which united, form a considerable town, where the bustle of business and the dissipation of pleasure equally prevail.

These Wells, which are of the chalybeate kind, are said to have been discovered by Dudley Lord North, in the reign of James I. who having experienced a complete renovation of his health from their use, was the means of bringing them into vogue, and their celebrity has ever since been encreasing. The two wells, which are principally used, are enclosed by stone walls, containing a well paved court, which is entered by a handsome gateway. Over the springs are placed basons with perforations at the bottom. At the fountain-head, the water is extremely clear and pellucid, with little smell, but the taste is strongly impregnated with iron.

Tunbridge water is excellently adapted for warm

ing and invigorating the relaxed constitution, for removing obstructions in the minuter vessels, for promoting digestion and exhilarating the spirits; but as I fortunately did not stand in need of such a remedy, I was satisfied with a single glass by way of tasting this far-famed spring, which I cannot think is much superior to many other chalybeate waters in this country. But Tunbridge has long become fashionable: it has various accommodations for company who resort hither, both for health and pleasure; and without such appendages, it is diffi cult to establish or keep up the credit of any mineral waters. The parades, the public rooms, coffeehouse, and libraries, are well frequented; and the lodging-houses are many of them elegant, and pleasantly situated. Mount Sion, Mount Pleasant, and Mount Ephraim, are all well peopled. The former received its name from a public-house, whose sign was Mount Sion. A parish clerk who had a house here is said to have constantly given out the psalm that begins, "Mount Sion is a pleasant place," till his lodgings were let, after which he had no objection to any other composition of the king of Israel's.

There is a small theatre here, a chapel, and a charity-school: the two latter are supported by subscriptions among the visiters.

Every person knows the elegance of what is called Tunbridge ware. It is manufactured here in large quantities, and dispersed over the kingdom.

In the vicinity of Tunbridge-Wells are high rocks, and other romantic scenes, where company often drink tea, dine, and sometimes dance. The rides and walks are pleasant and various. Penshurst, a seat of the Sidney family, Hever Castle, Somerhill, Bayham Abbey, and Edridge Park, Lord Abergavenny's, are all within the circle of a morning's ride.

Having gratified our curiosity here, we crossed

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