MINERAL WATERS AND MEDICINAL SPRINGS OF ESSEX. 203
out [when the well was fenced about 1886] may still be picked up ; and, on
breaking a lump, the tiny clusters of white crystals may be seen, embedded in
the red clay, consisting, probably, of sulphates of magnesia and lime. . . .
" The . . . well, which is somewhat obscured by grass and weeds, is about
four feet in diameter. The depth, from the surface of water to bottom, was then
five feet nine inches. The temperature of the air being then 68°, the surface
water was 58°, and the bottom ranging from 53° to 54°.
" We took samples of the surface water in its undisturbed state, which tasted
of iron, but not very strong or unpalatable. The water obtained from the
bottom was, however, very strong to the smell."
The bricking of the well is still sound, though much over-
grown by grass and brambles. The spring appears to be what
Allen calls a "standing" spring, and there is no sign that water
from it ever overflows and runs away. A sample of the water,
obtained on 18th April 1907 (when the surface was about a foot
below the level of the ground surface, which seems to be its
normal height), yielded the following results :—
This also may be regarded as a genuine mineral water. It is
of much the same character as the foregoing (Weald) water and
contains, like it, much less sodium chloride than the Hockley
Spa water.
Mr. Dalton supposes that it comes from a low horizon in the
London Clay.
(4).—Witham Spa.—The well here seems to have been first
discovered (as will be seen from what follows) in or about the
year 1695. Its water must have been examined almost
immediately after by Dr. Benjamin Allen, who discussed it in
his book published in 1699. Speaking of it as "The Water at
Witham, in Essex, in Sir Edward Southcot's ground,"35 and
classing it among "Chalybeat waters that contain a nitrous
salt," he says30 that it turns,
" with gall, a deep purple, turning to ink, not very clear ; and, with Lignum
35 Sir Edward Southcott, Knight, of Witham Place, was the eldest son of John Southcott,
Esq., of the same place. Sir Edward, who was twice married, died in 1751.
36 Chalybeat and Purging Waters, p. 19 (1699).