who are best acquainted with the nature of the several complaints, the strength or weakness of their constitutions, and the different virtues those several waters possess, so as properly to adapt them to each particular case, by drinking the waters at proper stated periods, as well as in proper doses: besides conforming to such a regimen as shall co-operate with them in producing the desired effect. But, where invalids neglect all, or indeed any of those rules, is it not rather an absurdity to expect relief?I will endeavour to explain myself:

Those waters either possess powerful virtues, or they do not. If they do, is it not obvious that some judgment and caution is necessary in the use of them, which must either produce good or bad effects, according to the prudence with which they are applied? If, on the other hand, they are of so insignificant a nature, that they may be used at any time, and in any proportion, without injury; and that too in disorders and constitutions very much varying from each other, then surely the inference must be, that no dependence is to be placed on them, and consequently it matters not if they are never used at all. For what purpose then do such numbers put themselves to the inconvenience, expense, and trouble, of travelling (frequently from distant parts of the kingdom) and that too when many of them are in so debilitated a state, that their very removal is attended with extreme danger, and sometimes proves fatal? But that those waters are not inactive, I am well convinced, having seen the bad effects arising from the imprudent use of them, in many instances, as well as the happy consequences attending their being used with due caution.

I was first led into these reflections by having been highly diverted, when I visited Buxton several summers, with the preposterous and absurd conduct of some of the company who resorted thither for the purpose of restoring their health. I remember six or seven gentlemen informing me, that they were vio

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lently afflicted with the gout and the rheumatism, and had undertaken this journey in hopes of receiving benefit by the waters. These gentlemen often rode or walked about the cold dreary hills, in very damp wet mornings, and afterwards drank claret from three o'clock in the afternoon to three the next morning; but I did not continue here long enough to be a witness of the happy effects which must inevitably be produced by a perseverance in such a judicious regimen.

I also visited Freestone, near Boston, in Lincolnshire, to which place a number of tradesmen and farmers resorted with their wives, in hopes of receiving benefit from the use of the salt water, in a variety of complaints; which they had been advised to do by the faculty, for a month, with particular directions to bathe every other day, and on the intermediate days to drink half a pint of the water in the course of that day. But these wise people, on duly considering the matter, were fully convinced that this would detain them from their families and business longer than was altogether convenient; and also (which they supposed their medical friends never thought of) that they could bathe the full number of times, and drink the prescribed quantity of the water in a week or a fortnight at farthest, and thus not only expedite the cure, but likewise enable them to return to their families and business so much earlier, as well as save the necessary expenses attending their continuing for such a length of time at the watering place. These united considerations appeared to them so consistent with prudence and economy, that they resolved to put them into immediate practice. I remonstrated with several of these good people on the impropriety of their conduct; but whether they concluded I was a party interested in detaining them on the spot, or whether they deemed my judgment inferior to their own, I know not; but I observed that some of them bathed several times in a day, and

drank salt water by the quart, the consequence of which was, that they left the place when the time expired which they had prescribed to themselves, much worse than they came. Some indeed were so very weak, that I am persuaded they could with difficulty reach their homes alive. And in these cases the want of success, instead of being attributed to the folly of the patients, is generally transferred to the waters, and to the want of judgment in those who advised the use of them.

I assure you, my dear friend, this is pretty much the case at Lyme. My rooms commanding a view of the sea, I have this and several other days noticed many decent looking men going down the beach three or four times in as many hours, and drinking a pint of water each time. I have made the same observation at Margate, Brighton, Hastings, Eastbourne, Seaton, Charmouth, and other places, so that the observation of Crabshaw's nurse, in "The Adventures of Sir Lancelot Greaves,' has frequently occurred to me: "Blessed be G-(said she) my patient is in a fair way! His apozem has had a blessed effect! Fiveand-twenty stools since three o'clock in the morning!"

Relating these particulars to a medical friend, he informed me that such specimens of ignorance and obstinacy were by no means confined to the watering places; as he had in the course of his practice met with repeated instances, where patients with a view of hastening the cure, and getting out of the doctor's hands (whom the vulgar charitably suppose wish to retain them there as long as possible) have swallowed a half pint mixture intended for several doses at once, and a whole box of pills in the same manner. The consequence of which have been, that from the violence of the operations they have remained in his hands a considerable time-some so long as life (thus foolishly trifled with) lasted.

But here are many of another class, some of whom, though not all, came on purpose to bathe, but during the whole of their continuance here, never found

time to bathe once. Some hasten to the billiard-room as soon as they are out of their beds in the morning, and there they continue until bed-time again. A few of these are indeed much benefited, being cured of consumptions in their purses, while others become proportionably as much emaciated. And a great number, both of ladies and gentlemen, devote the whole of their time to dressing, eating, and playing at whist. Charming exercise it must be! as they frequently sit still in their chairs for eight or ten hours together.

"Where knights, and beaux, and lords, and sharpers run, Some to undo, but more to be undone.

Of all the plagues that from the birth of time,
Have rang'd by turns this sublunary clime,
And in their various forms the nations curs'd,
The boundless love of play is sure the worst."

WHIST a Poem.

Here are others again, who, like the genelemen at Buxton, sit drinking (often red port after salt-water) until three or four in the morning, making a delightful noise, to compose those in the same house who are real invalids, and who, desirous of obtaining rest, retire early, though frequently to very little purpose.

I have also observed, that all the above places are as healthy for horses as they are for their masters. For as the innkeepers depend almost entirely on the season, they take great care, and do all they can to make these places comfortable. So that if gentlemen have fat, lazy, prancing horses, and want to reduce them in size and temper, they may be sure to have it done in some of the inns and stables at the various watering places, where such hay is procured as must infallibly answer the purpose, even though they be allowed a double portion of corn.

There is yet another very great advantage (which I had like to have forgot) resulting from attending the watering places. Such gentlemen who happen to servants too honest, too industrious, too atten

tive, too cleanly, too humble, too sober, &c., by taking them to any of these places, where they have so much leisure time, and where these party-coloured gentry meet together so often, and in such numbers, no one can go away unimproved, except he is a very dull fellow indeed. This is not merely my own observation; for several gentlemen of my acquaintance assured me that they had always found their servants improved prodigiously after each of these excursions.

We purpose setting out for Weymouth in a day or two: but as I intend that this shall be my last epistle, I will not conclude it until I arrive at Merton.

"If into distant parts I vainly roam,
And novelty from various objects try,
My busy thoughts reseek their wonted home,
And sicken at the vain variety."

Merton, September 11th.-We arrived here safe last night, being my birth-day. At Weymouth we had the honour of walking several evenings on the Esplanade, with their majesties and the four princesses. His majesty seems in perfect health and spirits, and diffuses life and spirits to all around him. Long, very long, may he continue to enjoy the same degree of health and happiness! But I could not help pitying Mr Hughes, the manager of the theatre there; as the company in general seem to pay but very little attention to plays, while they can partake of the pleasure of walking and breathing the sea air with so many of the royal family. But his majesty, whose humanity is by no means the least of his many virtues, will no doubt consider Mr Hughes, who is industrious to an extreme, as he is scarce a moment idle. For besides managing his company, 'performing himself six, sometimes eight, characters in a week, he paints all his own scenes, and attends to many other subjects; and although he has had a large expensive family (nine children,) the theatre there, and that also at Exeter, is his own. Wey