beauties. But we must not omit a recent plan for improvement, by an intended new road along the east side, and round the north end of the Malvern range. It is proposed that this road shall commence, and gradually ascend, from the seven mile stone on the Link, (a wide common at the north end of the village,) in a proportion of one inch and a quarter per yard, for 1600 yards, when it will join the present high road in the parish of Cradley, nearly adjoining the parish of Mathon. The road already finished through the latter parish, skirting the western limit of the hills, is at present in excellent repair for a considerable distance; and when the above-mentioned 1600 yards are added to it, (the estimate of which is near 4001.) it is intended that the overplus of the subscription money, now raising for this purpose, shall be expended towards extending the projected road along the western side of the hills, to connect it with the present high road above Little Malvern; so that a good carriage road will then encircle those beautiful hills, and enable even the most valetudinary to enjoy, at ease, their delightful scenery.*

Having thus rambled over all the beauties of Malvern, Great and Little, it is time to examine the

MEDICAL PROPERTIES

of this charming district. We may say therefore, in the words of Dr. Nash, with respect both to ST. ANNE's, and the HOLY WELL, that extraordinary purity is the distinguishing characteristic of each, in which particular they exceed any others yet known; so that the water is enabled to pass through the smallest vessels of the human body; and, not being loaded in any great proportion with any salts or earth, is capable of dissolving more than those waters which are already saturated with extraneous matter of whatever kind.

When drank immediately as it issues from the spring, it leaves a peculiar

Very liberal subscriptions have already taken place for this purpose Lord Beauchamp, 501. Hon. W. B. Lygon, 251. Hon. E. Foley, 1001. Lord Foley, 251. Lady Harcourt, Sir Robert Wigram, 10 guineas each. A. Cliffe, W. Wall, H. Dangerfield, Esqrs, 20 guineas each, &c. &c.

peculiar tartness in the throat, and it mixes freely with either acids or alkalies.

Many analyses of these waters have taken place; but we shall avail ourselves of the most recent observations from the ingenious pen of Mr. Horner.* He states that Dr. Wilson of Worcester analyzed them in 1805, but that neither of the wells afforded any other gaseous contents than atmospheric air. A gallon of the Holy-well water yielded fourteen and a half grains of solid ingredients, of which there were five of carbonate of soda, one and a half of carbonate of lime, one of carbonate of magnesia, one and a half of carbonate of iron, three of sulphate of soda, and one and a half of muriate of soda: these were the proportions, without going into the minutiae of decimal fractions.

St. Anne's Well only produced seven and a half grains from one gallon; being three and a half carbonate of soda, one and a half sulphate of soda, one muriate of soda, and very small proportions of carbonate of lime, carbonate of magnesia, and carbonate of iron.

Near Great Malvern, also, there is a spring that affords a lightly impregnated chalybeate water, of which kind this is perhaps the most free from earthy or calcareous matter of any within the kingdom. It has been eminently serviceable in consumptive complaints, in nervous disorders, and for emaciated constitutions. By an analysis of the ingenious Dr. Wall, it contains about six grains of solid matter to a gallon; and he adds, that it seems to challenge one of the first places among waters of this class; for though it is not so highly impregnated with iron as some others, yet it is sufficiently so to answer every purpose of a chalybeate; and being much less loaded with earth than others, he thinks that it seems probable the ferruginous particles will, for that reason, be more readily and intimately mixed with the blood and juices, whilst the water, by its extreme purity pervading the finest vessels, washes away the acrimonious salts, and obstructing viscidities.

Transactions of the Geological Society, Vol. L

cidities. This water at the spring head, instantly strikes a fine purple with galls; and, if carefully taken up and close corked, will retain the same property several hours; but the colour grows gradually more and more pale, and at the last approaches to the orange. To have this water, therefore, in full perfection, the Dr. advises, that it should be drank at the source.

Mr. Horner, however, notices that on the western side of the Hereford Beacon, there is a well more strongly impregnated than any of the Worcestershire ones, having twelve grains of solid matter in a gallon. This is Walms Well, and has long been used by the country people in the neighbourhood, as an outward application in cutaneous diseases. The water flows in a pretty copious stream, and at the place where it issues from the hill, is collected by an embankment, so as to form a large bath. By a recent analysis of this gentleman, which seems to have been conducted with great accuracy and chemical discrimination, it appears to contain carbonate of lime as the principal ingredient, carbonate of magnesia, in minute quantity, muriate of soda, or more properly magnesia, and sulphate of soda.

As it was totally impossible for a summer tourist, to procure all the medical information respecting these wells, the editor will here avail himself of the various information collected by a gentleman long resident in their vicinity, and which may be found more at large in his local description of Malvern and its scenery; a work now becoming scarce, but well deserving another edition. On his authority, then, we can state the medicinal virtues of these waters, as having been repeatedly experienced by the afflicted: not only amongst the inhabitants of the surrounding country, but by invalids who have come here from different parts of the empire. In scrofulous cases in particular, the Holy Well water, has proved of singular benefit to many afflicted objects, who have arrived at Malvern in the most deplorable condition, yet soon found relief, and, in a comparatively short space of time, were perfectly cured by the judicious and constant application of this salutary fountain. In ophthalmic disorders, also, it has seldom failed of being serviceable;

and

and it is said that cases have happened in which the regular for mule of medical prescriptions were inefficient, but which have, nevertheless, been cured at Malvern.

In cutaneous disorders, and even in cancerous complaints, and in old stubborn ulcers, it has had the effect of restoring the constitution to soundness, to health, and vigour; also in glandular obstructions; in nephritic complaints; and, indeed, in several others. But then, independent of the water, we must attend to the late judicious Dr. Johnstone, M. D. of Worcester, who, disdaining all quackery, boldly and candidly averred it to be his opinion, that the temperate warmth of the air, and great purity of the waters at Malvern and its vicinity, were its principal recom mendations, and induced him to consider that situation more peculiarly adapted for patients afflicted with nervous disorders, or inclined to consumptions; especially in the summer, or autumnal months. It must be remembered, however, that in most of these complaints now mentioned, the external, as well as internal, use of the water is necessary. In the more extended scorbutic and scrofulous affections, complete and frequent ablution of the whole body must be added to a free use internally; but in more topical complaints, such as partial ulcers, &c. it is found sufficient to admit the water on the affected part from the spout, or to keep it constantly covered with an application of wet linen. But even to all these directions there are still more important ones to be added, particularly to the general class of patients: with these, early rising, and a salutary degree of exercise, either pedestrian or equestrian, previous to the use of the water, and for some time afterwards, must always form a principal part of the regimen of convalescence; for thereby they will add to the circulation of the blood, not only by the mechanical effects of the exercise, but also by the inhalation of a greater quantity of the pure atmospheric oxygen, which will give considerable assistance to the waters in their beneficial process. This will be attended also with other good effects; for, Mr. Barret observes, the air that they will breathe in these walks and rides, and, indeed, in every part of the Malvern

hills, is so very refreshing, as to have a great tendency to create an appetite, and to revive the spirits: and this pure atmosphere seems to extend its stimulating influence even to the surrounding country, where the inhabitants are very seldom visited by epidemic diseases.

It has long been a superstitious opinion with the people of this neighbourhood, that great quantities of treasure have been deposited, in time past, on this range of hills. The origin of this is not easy to account for; but it has been considerably strengthened by some casual discoveries, particularly about forty years ago, when a quantity of silver coins were found in the parish of Mathon. The exact amount was never known, and indeed the finders were so much afraid of being obliged to give it up as a manorial right, that we believe not even their date or origin were allowed to be known, except to those who purchased them for the purpose of melting down.

Camden notices a discovery, as valuable as it was singular, and which, had it not been for the same ignorant and selfish principle, might have served to elucidate ancient history; this was a crown, or coronet of gold; and the finding of it is detailed at length in an old MS. in Jesus College, Oxford, which says, that within the distance of a musket shot of the trenches of the camp, in the parish of Colwall in Herefordshire, was found in the year 1650, by Thomas Tailer, near Burstner's cross, as he was digging a ditch round his cottage, a coronet or bracelet of gold set with precious stones, of a size to be drawn over the arm or sleeve. It was sold to Mr. Hill, a jeweller in Gloucester, for 371. Hill sold it to a jeweller in Lombard Street, London, for 2501. and the jeweller sold the stones, which were deeply inlaid, for 15001.

Having already assisted the mineralogical tourist, by pointing out the most remarkable particulars in his favorite pursuit, it remains now to give a few botanical notices to those who wish to join the study of nature to the pursuit of health.

We shall, therefore, briefly enumerate a few of those specimens VOL. XV. which

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