[13] In a Note to page 127 of Dr. Peez’s work, we have the following words:—“There are some chemists, as for example, the Aulic Councillor Struve, (evidently actuated by mercantile motives) who charge us with purposely attempting to involve the origin and efficacy of mineral springs in a magic gloom.” This is not a very liberal insinuation!
“Mercantile motives!” What motives led the doctor to study, and now to practise physick?—Answer. Merely to heal the sick without fee or reward. What are the motives which lead the lawyer to waste his time and health by the midnight lamp, studying Coke upon Littleton?—Answer. The prospective pleasure of pleading the causes of those who come into court “in forma pauperis”! But then there is the parson. He spends years of his life and thousands of his money at Oxford and Cambridge, studying theology and mythology—with the view of going forth to preach the word to Jew and Gentile, and without the most remote prospect of worldly advantage! Mercantile motives, indeed! Dr. Struve with great labour, expense, and skill, has imitated the Wisbaden waters, so that those who are unable to ascend the Rhine, may yet drink at the Kochbrunnen, without feeing the Spa Doctor.
[14] The fatal effects of hot-bathing in the case of the late Duke of Nassau, have been alluded to, when speaking of the Ems waters.
[15] Mineral Wells of Wisbaden, p. 360-6.
[16] If Æachus, Minos, and Rhadamanthus still retain their seats on a certain bench beyond the Styx, I opine that many of the petty sovereigns of Germany may be taken to task about the revenue which they gained in the upper regions by selling licenses to gambling-houses.
[17] It is not long since an antediluvian elephant was discovered on the shores of Siberia, and whose flesh was eatable by the dogs and wolves of that country.
[18] The average duration of human life in London is 40 years, in the country, from 40 to 60, according to the salubrity of the place.
[19] Lee on the Mineral Waters of Nassau, 1839.
[20] “Vous sortez des eaux de Schlangenbad rajeuni cum un Phœnix—la jeunesse y devient plus belle, plus brillante, et l’age y trouve une nouvelle vigeur.”—Fenner, p. 16.
[21] “The people of England have flocked within the last few years to Schlangenbad, to bathe in its foul water, drawn from tanks and used in tubs.”—Granville, vol. 1, p. 132.