The foreign contents of the hot-well water are muriat of magnesia, common salt, Glauber’s salt, sulphat of lime ([192]), and chalk: but these are in extremely small quantity. It also contains at the rate of about thirty cubic inches of carbonic acid gas, or fixed air ([26]), in every gallon.
This water springs from the bottom of the southern extremity of St. Vincent’s rock, a lofty cliff of limestone situated on the north bank of the river Avon, and about a mile below the city of Bristol. And, although it is considerably higher than the river, it is so far affected by the spring tides as to become, thereby, in some degree turbid. The discharge of water amounts to about forty gallons in a minute.
There is another spring at Clifton, on the summit of the same hill, from the bottom of which the waters of the hot-well issues. This is called the Sion spring, and is one or two degrees colder, but, in other respects, it very nearly resembles the water of the hot-well.
Its discovery was somewhat remarkable. A Mr. Morgan, an attorney of Bristol, having erected a house near the spot, sunk a well for the supply of his family with water. The workmen had proceeded to the depth of nearly 240 feet without success, when they were suddenly alarmed by the gushing forth of such an abundance of water that they were compelled to retreat with precipitation. The proprietor was so far disappointed of his hopes as to find that this was a spring of warm instead of cold water. But the circumstance induced him to erect an engine to raise the water for medicinal purposes; and, since that period, a pump room and bathing houses have been prepared for the accommodation of visitors.
The water of each of these springs, besides being used medicinally in pulmonary consumptions and other complaints, is employed very extensively at table, and for all domestic purposes. It is remarkable for softness and purity; and, from its quality of continuing untainted for a great length of time, even in hot climates, is a valuable water for long voyages, and is accordingly exported in considerable quantities to distant parts.
The season of general resort to Clifton and the hot-wells is from about the middle of April to the end of October.
282. MATLOCK WATER is a simple warm water, which, in its sensible properties, exclusive of its temperature, which is only about 66° of Fahrenheit, is scarcely different from good spring water. It is beautifully clear, and exhales no steam, except in very cold weather.
The medicinal virtues of this water have chiefly been ascribed to its temperature. Its supply is very copious, and from several different sources. Though recommended in some internal complaints, it is principally employed as a bath; and, in this respect, it forms a medium betwixt the waters of Bath or Buxton and those of the generality of cold baths.
Matlock, which is a beautifully romantic village, situated in a hilly part of Derbyshire, and at the distance of 143 miles north of London, was first brought into public notice about the year 1698, shortly after which period the first bath was erected. It is chiefly frequented from the month of May to that of October; or, if the weather continue fine, till near the beginning of November.
283. BUXTON WATER is a simple warm water, which contains so little foreign matter, as scarcely to be distinguishable from common spring water heated to the same temperature. It has neither smell nor taste; and, though it sparkles a little in the glass, when first drawn, this is not apparently more than what is observable in the water of many common springs.