common for the medicinall well of J. Sumner.  But, mem., there is another well that turnes, I thinke, as deep as J. Sumner’s. [On the subject of this discovery by Aubrey, to which he attached great importance, the reader is referred to Britton’s “Memoir of Aubrey”, published by the Wiltshire Topographical Society, p. 17.  As there stated, most of the property about Seend now belongs to W. H. Ludlow Bruges, Esq.  M.P., who preserves the well; but its waters are not resorted to for sanatory purposes. — J. B.]
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Memorandum.  That Dudley, Lord North, grandfather to Sir Francis North, Lord Keeper, and Baron of Guildford, returning from his travells from the Spaw, &c. making a visit to the Earle of Leicester at Penshurst, his relation, as he was riding thereabout made observation of the earth where the water run, the colour whereof gave him an indication of its vertue.  He sent for galles, and tryed it by evaporation, &c. and found out the vertue, which hath ever since continued and donne much good to the drinkers, and the inhabitants thereabout* This discovery was this year (1685), about seventy-five years since, and ’tis pitty it should be buried in oblivion.  My Lord Keeper North told me of this himselfe.

At Tunbridge and Epsom Wells, where were only wild commons, now are abundance of well-built houses. [The changes and improvements at Tunbridge Wells have been very great since Aubrey wrote.  In 1832 I wrote and published an octavo volume- " Descriptive Sketches of Tunbridge Wells and the Calverley Estate”, with maps and prints.  Since that time the railroad has been opened to that place, which will increase its popularity.  Epsom Wells are now deserted.  At Melksham, in the vicinity of Seend, a pump-room, baths, and lodging-houses were erected about twenty-five years ago; but fashion has not favoured the place with her sanction.  See Beauties of Wiltshire, vol. iii.- J. B.]

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When the springs doe breake in Morecombe-bottom, in the north side of the parish of Broad Chalke, which is seldome, ’tis observed that it foretells a deer yeare for corne.  It hath discontinued these forty yeares.
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At Crudwell, neer to the mannour house, is a fine spring in the street called Bery-well.  Labourers say it quenches thirst better than the other waters; as to my tast, it seemed to have aliquantulum aciditatis; and perhaps is vitriolate.  The towne, a mannour of the Lord Lucas, hath its denomination from this well; perhaps it is called Crudwell from its turning of milke into cruds.

At Wotton Basset, in the parke, is a petrifying water, which petrifies very quickly.

At Huntsmill, in this parish, is a well where the water turnes leaves, &c. of a red colour.
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Below the Devises, the water in all the ditches, at the fall of the leafe, lookes blewish, which I could not but take notice of when I was a schoole boy.
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