“Of the Chalybeat Waters at Islington, called the New Tunbridge-Wells. Of the Waters in Saint Winifred’s Well at Holywell in Flintshire, North-Wales: Also of some Chalybeat Springs in that Neighbourhood. . . ."

Name of traveller

Diederich Wessel Linden (active 1745-1768)

Reason for travel

• medical study

Date of travel

undated, ca. late 1740s to early 1750s

And this Holywell cold Bath, having the Experience of Ages, and a Series of innumerable authentic Cures on its Side, worked upon the most stubborn and malignant Diseases, such as Leprosy, Weakness of Nerves, and other chronical inveterate Disorders . . .. (Linden 131)

Content

• customs: relates in detail the local folk legend about St Winifred's Well
• history:
  • believes that the spring water from St Winifred's Well has only been used as medicinal water for cold baths, but not for drinking
  • recognises long-standing history of bathing in the spring waters as medical cure
• terrain:
  • mentions his discovery of a number of chalybeate springs near Holywell
  • describes the natural properties of St Winifred's Well and its layout
  • compares the mineral properties of the spring water with similar springs in Germany and recommends their use as cure for a variety of ailments
  • brief references to the hilly surroundings of Holywell
  • Holywell's attraction for patients with chronical deseases is owed to its clean air and the proximity to the coast for the purpose of sea-bathing
• compare with the author's descriptions of the medicinal virtues of the wells in Llandrindod Wells and Llangybi

Nationality of traveller

German

Language of publication

English

Gender of traveller

Male

Type of publication

scientific study

Citation

Linden, Diederic[h] Wessel. “Of the Chalybeat Waters at Islington, called the New Tunbridge-Wells. Of the Waters in Saint Winifred’s Well at Holywell in Flintshire, North-Wales: Also of some Chalybeat Springs in that Neighbourhood. And of the Mineral Water, called the Neville Holt Spaw in Leicestershire.” A Treatise on the Origin, Nature, and Virtues of Chalybeat Waters, and Natural Hot Baths. With a Description of several Mineral Waters in England and in Germany. Likewise, Directions for the Preparation and Use of Artificial, Hot, Mineral-Water-Baths. To which is added, and Appendix on the Selter Water with Many Remarks, especially on it’s Mixture with Tar-Water. And also a Dissertaion on Baron Schwanberg’s Liquid Shell; With the Process, for Preparing the Same. To which Is Annexed, Occational Remarks and Queries on the Glastonbury Waters. 2nd ed. London: T. Osborne, 1752. 107-34. Print.