thefe founds. In fuch cafes, I think it will not be denied, that when we discover our mistake, the founds are no longer fublime.

There is nothing more common than for people who are afraid of thunder, to mistake fome very common and indifferent found for it; as the rumbling of a cart, or the rattling of a carriage. While their miftake continues, they feel the found as fublime: the moment they are undeceived, they are the first to laugh at their error, and to ridicule the found which occafioned it. Children at first are as much alarmed at the thunder of the stage, as at real thunder. Whenever they find that it is only a deception, they amufe themfelves with mimicking it. It may be obferved also, that very young children fhow no fymptoms of fear or admiration at thunder, unlefs perhaps when it is painfully loud, or when they fee other people alarmed about them, obviously from their not having yet affociated with it the idea of danger; and perhaps alfo from this caufe, that our imagination affifts the report, and makes it appear much louder than it really is; a circumftance which feems to be confirmed by the common mistake we make of very inconfiderable noises for it. Mif takes in the fame manner are often made in those countries where earthquakes are common, between very confiderable founds, and that low rumbling found which is faid to precede fuch an event. There cannot be a doubt, that the moment the miftake is discovered, the noise ceases to be fublime. In all other cafes of the fame kind, where mistakes of this nature happen, or where we are deceived by imitation, I believe it is agreeable to every perfon's experience, that while the mistake continues, the founds affect us as fublime; but that as foon as we are undeceived, and that the fign is found not to be accompanied with the qualities ufually

in

fignified, it ceafes immediately to affect us with any emotion. If any founds were in themselves fublime, or fitted by the conftitution of our nature to produce this emotion, independently of all affociation, it would feem that there could be no change of our emotion, and that these founds would as permanently produce their correfpondent emotion, as the objects of every other fenfe produce their correfpondent ideas.

In all cafes, however, where thefe affociations are either accidental or temporary, and not as in the former cafe, permanent in their nature, it will be found that founds are fublime only, when they are expreffive of qualities capable of producing fome powerful emotion, and that in all other cafes the fame founds are fimply indifferent. In fome of the inftances formerly mentioned, where common or vulgar founds are rendered fublime by affociation, it is obvious that the fame founds in general, when they have no fuch expreffion to us, are very different from fublimity. The buzz of flies, the dropping of water, the found of a hammer, the dafhing of an oar, and many others which might eafily be mentioned, are in general founds abfolutely indifferent, and fo far from poffeffing any fublimity in themfelves, that it might be difficult at firft to perfuade any man that they could be made fo. Their fublimity therefore can only be attributed to the qualities which they fignify.

There are few founds, in the fame manner, much more fublime, than the ftriking of a clock at midnight. In other fituations the very fame found is altogether different in its expreffion. In the morning it is cheerful,

at noon indifferent, or at least unnoticed; in the evening plaintive,at night only fublime. In the tolling of a bell, the found is uniformly the fame; yet fuch a found has very dif. ferent expreffions, from the peculiar

purpofes

purposes to which it is applied. The paffing bell, and the funeral bell, alone are fublime. The whistling of the wind in an autumnal, or in a wintry night, is often felt as fublime, and has accordingly been frequently introduced into poetical defcriptions of a fimilar character. The niceft ear, however, is unable to diftinguish any difference betwixt this found, in the feafons before-mentioned, and in fpring or fummer, when, if it has any character at all, it has a character very different from fublimity. The trumpet is very generally employed in fcenes of magnificence or folemnity. The found of the trumpet in fuch fituations is accordingly very fublime, and feems to us to be expreffive of that folemnity or magnificence. This inftrument, however, as every one knows, is very often degraded to mean offices. In fuch cafes, the found is altogether indifferent, if not contemptible. The bagpipe has, to a Scotch Highlander, no inconfiderable degree of fublimity, from its being the martial instrument of the country, and of confequence affociated with many fpirited and many magnificent images. To the reft of the world, the found of this inftrument is at beft but barely tolerable. They who are acquainted with the hiftory of fuperftition, will recollect many inftances where founds have become fublime from this affociation, which to the reft of mankind were very infignificant, and which have become alfo in

fignificant both to individuals and to nations, when the fuperftitions upon which their expreffion was founded had ceafed.

There are feveral other confiderations, from which the principle I here endeavour to illustrate might be confirmed, the uniform connection between fublime founds, and fome quality capable of producing emotion, and the impoffibility of finding an inftance where found is fublime, independently of all affociation, — the great difference in the number of founds that are fublime to the common people, and men of cultivated or poetical imagination, and the difference which every man feels in the effect of fuch founds in producing this emotion, according to the particular ftate of his own mind, or according to the particular ftrength or weaknefs of his fenfibility to the qualities which fuch founds exprefs. But I am unwilling to anticipate the reader in fpeculati ns which he can fo eafily profecute for himself. If the illuftrations I have already offered are juft; if founds of all kinds are fublime, when they are expreffive of any qualities capable of producing ftrong emotions; and if no founds continue to be fublime, when they ceafe to be expreffive of fuch qualities, it is, I think reasonable to conclude, that the fublimity of fuch founds is to be afcribed, not to the mere quality of found, but to thofe affociated quali ties of which it is fignificant.

of St Bernard's Well *.

acid, and a phlogiston, or inflammable principle. The peculiar odour of this water is fomewhat naufeous and empyreumatic, but is not fo fœtid as to caufe reaching, even in the most delicate. This odour proceeds from the effential qualities of a native fulphur, but fo intimately united with the elementary principle of the wa

ter

ter, that no fulphur, in a material and fubftantial form, can be obtained from it by human skill. Some attempts

have been made to imitate these waters, and to fubftitute an artificial compofition in their place. I will venture to affure them they will have their labour for their pains, as Boerhaave fays on a like occafion, Amici, oleum et otium perdidimus. Wherein foever the medical energy and virtue of this water confifts, it cannot be imitated by any fophifticated compofitions whatever. This aetherial volatile fpirit, on which the fuperior excellence of the water depends, is of a fugitive nature, and quickly evaporates when expofed to the air: But the fountain being now inclosed, this aetherial gas is confined, and the water railed, by means of a pump, in its greatest purity and perfection, and is no fmall improvement of the water to what it was when exposed to the open air. It ought likewife to be obferved, that here are no mercenary ends nor exactions; no allurements to expence, vice, or diffipation; and no more than just accommodations for the patients and invalids who come for the benefit of the water.

A pellicle, which appears like a black fcum on the furface of the water, is a fort of hepar, the heaviest part of which, by its gravity, precipitates to the bottom, and is washed away with the common fludge; the lighter particles are diffolved, and mix with the mineral water, which is fomewhat lighter than common water, and does not mix with it without fhaking. Now that the water is inclosed, and under cover, it is not expofed to fuffer by evaporation. Those who drink the water in a morning find it ftronger and more poignant to the tafte. Befide the above Befide the above ingredients, there is likewife found, by evaporation, a fmall portion of an earthy refiduum, which is not pecu

liar to thefe waters, as fome earthy particles are to be found in all waters, even the meteoric, and much more the terrestrial. This is no where more evident than in the common water about London, which abounds in a calcareous earthy matter; by which their tea-kettles, and other kitchen utenfils used in boiling and dreffing victuals, are coated with a white thick cruft. A white faline efflorefcence may be feen upon the grafs, like a hoar froft in the meadows, when dry after the autumnal rains, where the waters have stagnated. By fome this is accounted nits rous; but, being quite infipid, it feems to be a mere earthy calx. When employed in analyfing St Bernard's Well, I received the following report:

Dear Sir,

Agreeable to your requeft, I have analyfed the water of St Bernard's Well, and find it very little different from what you mentioned. My obfervations are as follows: The water is fomething lighter than common water; by being expofed to the air, it lofes its empyreumatic fmell, and, I believe, a good deal of its virtue. After evaporation, a fmall quantity, of oily and faline particles remains behind, and tastes like bittern: There is likewife a small portion of an earthy fubftance. A blackish hepatic fcum fwims on the furface; but, after stirring, it vanishes. All these impurities, in my opinion, feem to affect the water very little, and give it no purging quality. This water, when expofed a fhort fpace in the fun, lofes all its mineral qualities, and becomes foft and taftelefs, like common wa ter. When mixed with nitre, it becomes fenfibly colder; but, after ftanding, and the nitre fubfiding, it recovers the atmospheric temperature. As to the other properties of the water, my opinion coincides with

your

your own. Shall only add, that I contínue very much your friend and fervant, J. F.

Operation of the Mineral Waters. ALL the chronic difeafes incident to the human body, derive their origin from obftructions, which first take place in the evanefcent and extremely minute veffels. Thefe obftructions, if of long continuance, receive no relief from the common and indifcriminate evacuations of medical practice, by which, during their operation, at least the infenfible perfpiration is leffened, if not fufpended, and leaves a fenfe of laffitude and dejection; but these waters, on the contrary, being flow and gradual in their operation, infinuate into the most remote stages of circulation, break and attenuate all vifcid and preternatural cohesions; and by their fubtilty penetrate through the whole system, not only removing crudity, and affifting digeftion in the ftomach and firft paffages, but cleaning the glandular fyftem, and carrying their noxious contents by their refpective emunctories out of the habit, without pain or fatigue; on the contrary, the patient feels himself lightfome and chearful, and by degrees, an increase to his general health, ftrength, and fpirits.

The water of St Bernard's Well operates for the most part as a strong diuretic. If drunk in a large quantity, it becomes gently laxative, and powerfully promotes infenfible perfpiration. It likewife has a wonderfully exhilarating influence on the faculties of the mind,

General Efficacy of the Mineral Water. THE usefulness and efficacy of these waters will be beft afcertained by the atteftation of thofe who have actually received benefit by ufing them. If used to our meals, at firit they are unpalatable; but from ufe become pleasant and agreeable enough. By this means, mingling

with our food, and affimulated in our ftomachs, they exert their efficacy in the prima via, ftimulating the digeftive powers, when too flow and ianguid; and checking the natural functions, when too quick and precipitate; diluting the juices, and relaxing the folids, when too rigid. They ftrengthen the whole fyftem, gradually promoting the action and reaction of the folids and fluids upon each other, upon which the health depends; and they exert their influence and efficacy upon different perfons in a different manner; in fome acting as a diuretic, in others as a laxative, in many as a diaphoretic, but beneficial in all, when properly administered. If at first drinking they create a naufea, it is not owing to any emetic quality in the waters, but to a crudity or foulness of the ftomach; fometimes a loofenefs will enfue; this proceeds from a colluvies of indigefted food in the alimentary canal, which is hereby expelled and evacuated. Sometimes the more delicate may feel an head-ach after drinking, and a giddiness, which is but of fhort continuance, and goes off by moderate exercife. This fenfation is owing to the volatile and fpirituous parts of the water, which naturally afcend and affect the fenforium, but foon alter their direction, and open the whole glandular fyftem to perform its natural functions. They chiefly take to the fkin, which they render foft and fmooth by promoting perfpiration, and rendering the body light and active, and the mental faculties chearful and gay. By a copious and continued ufe of these waters, the skin, from being dry and fcurfy, becomes moift and fmooth. It fmells of a fulphureous odour; and the linen becomes dingy and yellow; the filver in ones pocket tarniflies, turns yellow and afterwards blackifh. Once more I will repeat its beneficial qualities upon the first paffages; blunting all acidities in the ftomach and inteft

ines, expelling flatulency and eructation, which arifes from indigefted food. In a word, the water of St Bernard's Well feems to be poffeffed of all the good qualities, of which the most celebrated medicinal waters, foreign or domestic, can boast of, with this fingular advantage of being of our own growth, and free from trouble and expence. It ought likewife to be obferved, that the falutary effects of these waters are not local, but diffufive through the whole fyftem, and exert their efficacy on the nervous power or animal fpirits, being rarified by the action of the ftomach, they expand themselves ufque quaque to all the outlets of the skin.

The Water made into Coffee. THE water of St Bernard's Well is very pleasant when made into coffee. This peculiar excellency arifes from a congenial quality in the mineral water and coffee, both of them being of a fulphureous, dry, and warm nature. When affimulated by the boiling, they exalt and improve each other. Great care ought to be taken to keep the boilers closely stop ped, and not to be kept too long upon the fire, otherwise the fine volatile fteam will evaporate, and weaken the coffee. A moderate quantity of this coffee, drunken after dinner, is an excellent digeftor. The animal fpirits are thereby exhilarated, and we become debonair and gay. The French are well acquainted with the good effects of coffee; and perhaps to it they owe much of their vivacity; but when the coffee is united to the fulphureous mineral water, it acquires an additional ftrength and efficacy, and imparts a furprising vigour to the mental powers; from being morofe and fulky, we are all at once metamorphofed into a gay and chearful mood. The late Sir John Pringle, from long and repeated experience, found ftrong coffee a moft powerful medicine in the asthma, having an extraordinary VOL. XI. No. 63.

C c

fedative quality. How much more powerful would its action be when united to this mineral water?

The Excellency of thefe Mineral Waters. Amidst the endless variety of boasted medicines for fcrophulous difeafes, which is a fure proof of their being inadequate to a cure of the complaints for which they were adminiftered, it ought to be matter of great fatisfaction, that, from the astonifhing power of thefe mineral waters, we may, without flattery, entertain the ftrongeft hopes of fuccefs: And, although we may boaft of the benign influences of a genial fky, healthy atmosphere, and all the bleffings that naturally flow from thefe advantages, yet many are the difeafes which naturally arife in all countries, from climate, air, and foil; for which Nature, ever bountiful, has produced moft abundantly great ftore of indigenous plants and medicinal fprings, whofe virtues are fpecifically adapted to remove thefe difeafes. When the pours from her exuberant bofom the never-failing fources of life, health, and joy, and calls, with a parental voice, Drink, wash, and be clean,' ought we not to liften and obey?

The reflorative quality of these waters is obvious and undeniable, where universal debility, weakness of fight, defect of hearing, or when any of the fenfes are impaired through a valetudinary ftate of health, or the infirmities of age, as in the Cafe of a Marion Hunter, who, after her dropfical complaints were totally removed, by continuing the ufe of the water, fhe recovered her eye-fight; that the could read the fmalleft print at the advanced age of fixty-fix, after being almoft blind. A gentleman, who for many years had loft the fenfe of hearing on the right fide, after ufing this medicinal water his hearing was restored, and a fecretion of cerumen returned to the ear affected; the mental powers are fo much improved,

that