190 MINERAL WATERS AND MEDICINAL SPRINGS OF ESSEX.
Gould, F.S.A., Mr. M. E. Hughes-Hughes, of Leez Priory,
the Rev. Canon Ingles, of Witham, Dr. Henry Laver, of Col-
chester, the Rev. Thomas Myers, of Twinstead, Mr. Christopher
W. Parker, of Faulkbourne, Mr. W. Ping, of Wanstead, the
Rev. C. P. Plumtree, of Woodham Ferrers, the Rev. L. N.
Prance, of Stapleford Tawney, Mr. Philip Savill, of Chigwell
Row, Mr. C. B. Sworder, of Epping, Mr. G. E. Tasker, of
Ilford, Mr. C. J. H. Tower, of Weald Hall, Mr. H. Warren,
of Dovercourt Spa, and Mr. Hastings Worrin, of Little
Dunmow.
We are indebted in a still greater degree to Mr. J. C.
Thresh, D.Sc., M.D., and Mr. W. H. Dalton, F.G.S., F.C.S.,
who have been kind enough to go through our matter and give
us much valuable criticism and advice, chiefly on chemical and
geological points. Mr. Dalton's suggestions as to the probable
geological origins of the various waters described will be found
chiefly in Section III. hereafter.
It will be convenient, we think, if, before discussing each of
our Essex wells in detail, we insert—
II.—A BIBLIOGRAPHY (ARRANGED CHRONOLOGI-
CALLY) OF THE MORE IMPORTANT WORKS
TREATING OF ESSEX MINERAL SPRINGS.
1699.—ALLEN, Benj., M.B.—The Natural History of the Chalybeat &
Purging Waters of England, with their Particular Essays and Uses. . . .
London : Printed and Sold by S. Smith & B, Walford, at the Prince's Arms,
in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1699.
[4o] + 185 + [6] pp., post octavo. Dedicated to Charles, fourth Earl of
Manchester, then living at Leighs Priory.
This is practically the earliest systematic treatise on the Mineral Springs of
England. Though valuable in its day, it is a very poor production from the
literary point of view, having been written mainly (as the author tells us in his
Preface) whilst he was an undergraduate at Cambridge, with very little leisure.
The diction and punctuation are, therefore, very detective.
The author treats of eight Essex Mineral Springs—namely, those at Leighs
(pp. 18-19), Witham (p. 19), Mark's Hall (p. 21), "Felstead" (i.e., Little
Dunmow : p. 28.), Colchester (p. 128), South Weald (pp. 144-147), Upminster
(p. 148), and Woodham Ferrers (pp. 158-160).
Dr. Allen (1664-1739) was a son of Dr. Benj. Allen, of London. After
studying at Queen's Coll., Cambridge, he commenced practice (apparently
before 1686) at Braintree, where he became intimate with John Ray and Samuel
Dale, both then living there. He was an excellent naturalist. He married
Katherine, daughter of Dr. Joshua Diaper, first of London, but afterwards of
Braintree. Dying 28th Feb. 1739-40, aged 75, he was buried in the churchyard
at Black Notley (where he had probably gone to reside), immediately adjacent to
his friend Kay (see Essex Nat., iv., pp. 192-193).