Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/95

 17. The Walls that keep in the hot springs are very deep-set, and large; 10. foot thick, and 14, deep from the level of the street. The cement of the wall is tallow, clay, lime and beaten bricks. In the year 1659, the Hot-bath (a Bath particularly so call'd, of equall heat with the Kings-bath) was much impaired by the breaking out of a Spring, which the workmen at last found again, and restored. In digging they came to a firm foundation of factitious matter, which had holes in it like a Pumice-stone, through which the water played; so that 'tis like the Springs are brought together by Art: which probably was the Necromancy, the people of antient times believed and reported to have contrived and made these Baths; as in a very antient manuscript Chronicle I find these words: When Lud Hidibras was dead, Bladud his Son, a great Nygromancer (so 'tis there writ) was made King, and he made the wonder of the hot Bath by his Nygromancy; and he reigned 21. years, and after he died, and lyes at the new Troy. And in another old Chronicle 'tis said, That King Bladud sent for Necromancers to Athens to effect this great business; who 'tis like were no other then cunning Artificers, well skill'd in Architecture and Mechanicks.

18. It hath been observ'd, that leaves, like those of Olives, come sometimes out of the Pump of the Hot-Bath.

These, Sir, are all the Observations I have been able to collect yet: if any thing else material shall hereafter come to my knowledg about these matters, I shall not fail to impart them, God permitting. Perhaps these things may administer occasion to more Questions relating to the Bath, and their Phænomena. If you or any other ingenious person of the R. Society shall propose any to me, I shall take what care I can to have them punctually answer'd. I am &c.

He highest Jcy Mountains of Helvetia about Valesia and Augusta, in the Canton of Bern; about Taminium and Tavetsch of the Rhætians, are alwayes seen cover'd with Rh