right of the south end of the Promenade. There is a tradition that attention was first called to these springs in 1716, by the circumstance of a flight of pigeons regularly frequenting them, for the sake, it is presumed, of the saline particles that encrusted their edges. This led to their virtues being tried by man, and the result proving beneficial, an analysis of their contents was published in 1721. At first the new spa progressed but slowly in public estimation. It was not till 1738 that it attained the dignity of a 66

pump-room ;" and a

few years later the fine avenue of elms, forming the main approach to the Old Wells, was planted. In 1788 the well was honoured with a visit of George III., who drank the water during his stay, and was Isaid to have derived much benefit from it. Thenceforward the spring had the title of the Royal Old Wells, and, with the town, grew in fame and prosperity. The present handsome pump-room was erected about twenty years ago. Though the tide of fashion has somewhat deserted the mineral waters of Cheltenham, and perhaps the Old Wells more than the others, this is still a charming resort, and its beautiful avenue, and other attractive features, ensure its long continuing so.

The waters of the Old Wells are saline and sulphureous. An imperial pint of " No. 4" contains

together with distinct traces of Carbonate of Iron. This is the strongest of the Cheltenham waters.

The Montpellier Spa.-The Montpellier Rotunda occupies a fine position on the right of the Promenade, where it runs into Lansdown Place. This is a very handsome edifice, surmounted by a large dome, which is a conspicuous object from many points. The first pump-room was erected in 1809, but the building in its present form dates from 1826. The principal apartment is the pump-room, or rotunda, a great hall with the dome for its roof, and lighted from the cupola. The dome is 52 feet in diameter, and is richly embellished. The water (Nos. 1, 2, 3, or 4, according to taste or medical orders) is dispensed from a marble counter here; but the apartment is used for many other purposes, such as concerts, balls, etc. It is scarcely necessary to say that the other parts of the Spa buildings are both tasteful and commodious. The waters are saline. "No. 2" has 16 cubic inch of sulphuretted hydrogen, and a trifling amount of carbonic acid. The following is the analysis of " No. 4," which is pure saline, and may be taken as a fair specimen of the whole. An imperial pint contains

With a trace of Hydriodate and Hydro-bromate of Soda.

The Montpellier Gardens, on the opposite side of the road from the Rotunda, are open to all subscribers to the spa. They are very pleasantly laid out, and afford the usual facilities for archery, croquet, and other outdoor amusements. Every day during the season the grounds have the additional attraction of the strains of a good band of music.

In the baths connected with the spa, though situated at the corner of Oriel Terrace at the entrance to Bath Road, the benefits of the external use of the water in all the usual methods may be made trial of. In the laboratory adjoining the surplus water is evaporated, and the residuum crystallised and sold as the wellknown Cheltenham salts. There is a chalybeate spring at the laboratory.

The Cambray Chalybeate Spa is at the other end of Oriel Terrace, opposite the entrance to Imperial Square. The building is an octagonal one of no special architectural pretensions. This spring and that referred to previously are the only chalybeate waters in Cheltenham. The following is an analysis of a wine gallon of the Cambray water :

The Pittville Spa, though the last established of the mineral wells of Cheltenham, is altogether the most attractive of them. Its pump-room is a noble building, finely situated, and its grounds are laid out with much taste. Pittville, by the shortest route-up Winchcomb Street, immediately opposite the Plough Hotel-is about three quarters of a mile from the High Street. It takes its name from the late Joseph Pitt, Esq., who, having discovered a mineral spring on his estate, conceived the idea of producing a fashionable suburb, with the spa, its buildings and grounds, as its main attraction. Owing to a commercial panic, which at the time paralysed the industry and enterprise of the country, few of the sites for villas were built upon, many of the purchasers having gone into the Gazette. Mr. Pitt, however, carried out his part of the undertaking by erecting this imposing edifice, the first stone of which he laid in 1825. The building is of the Ionic order, with the addition of a dome. It is surrounded by a noble colonnade, 20 feet wide, formed by Ionic pillars. The front is adorned with statues of Hygeia, Esculapius, and Hippocrates. The dome rises to a height of 70 feet from the ground. The apartment in it measures 80 feet by 38. The grounds are extensive, and charmingly laid out. It is probable that eventually, though gradually, the natural growth of Cheltenham, in conjunction with the attractiveness of this locality, will lead to the full realisation of Mr. Pitt's plans.

The Pittville mineral water is saline, and, as the

following analysis of a pint will show, is of a milder nature than most of the other Cheltenham springs

Carbonate of Lime

GRAINS.

0.20

0.89

17.55

27.16

⚫02

45.82

With traces of Magnesia and Iodine.

Hints regarding the use of the Cheltenham waters. -It is, of course, always desirable for the invalid to have medical advice as to the waters he ought to take. Other visitors can without detriment follow their own ideas in the selection and quantity of water they use. The pure saline are usually recommended in disorders of the liver, stomach, and bowels, and in nephritic and dropsical affections. The sulphureous waters (which are also saline, and so may be used in many complaints for which the saline are recommended) are useful in cutaneous diseases, scrofula, rheumatism, and gout. The chalybeate waters, again, are valuable as tonics. In cases of debility and exhaustion they frequently exert a marked strengthening effect. They are also recommended in some female complaints.

The best time to drink the waters is before breakfast. The quantity taken is regulated very much by the state of the health or the taste of visitors, ranging from one to two pints and upwards of the saline and sulphureous, and half that quantity, or less, of the chaly