HOLYWELL,
So celebrated for its miraculous spring. The church of this place is dedicated to Saint Winefred, and stands at the foot of a steep hill, but it is so far removed from the upper town that the bells cannot be heard by the people above, for which reason a very ancient custom is continued, namely, a ringer is employed to go about the town with a large bell slung around his shoulder, and a cushion fastened to his knees, against which the bell beats as he walks, to summon the inhabitants to the house of prayer; but the chief object of interest to visitors in this town is St. Winefred’s Well, from which it takes its name of Holywell. The Roman Catholic clergymen of ancient days, knew well how to impose on the credulity of the ignorant laymen, when they were desirous of enriching their establishments, as well perhaps as they do at the present period, and for this purpose they invented amongst other absurd fallacies the ridiculous fable of St. Winefred, which is carved upon a pendant projection over the fountain, with the arms of England at the bottom.