The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter from the Reverend Mr. Burd, at Glastonbury, dated June 1, 1751.

"We have Springs found out here in October last; an excellent Mineral Water indeed, which has already performed many great Cures, particularly in Asthmas, Shortness of Breath, and other chronick Disorders. Several Persons have been cured, and others greatly benefitted in the Leprosy, &c. This Water rises out of a Well, for many Years called Blood-well, at the Foot of that remarkable Hill called Tor Hill, and runs thro' the Abbey to a Place called Chain Gate, where there is a Bathing Place made, and another now building near the Original Spring. The People that resort hither to drink and bathe in these Waters express the highest Satisfaction for the Benefit they have received from them; and the Inhabitants, in Return, seem to vie with one another in treating them with Respect. In short, there seems to be nothing wanting but a sufficient Number of Houses to accommodate the Gentry, there being at this Time near three hundred Lodgers in the Town, besides a great Number at the adjacent Towns and Villages. There are frequently six or seven Thousand People here from all Parts of the Country every Saturday and Sunday, from a Notion, that there is a greater Efficacy in the Water on those Days than at other Times; which has raised the Price of Provisions to double the Value; and 'tis common to give 18 d. or 2s. for a Bed on Saturday Nights. The odd Manner in which this beneficial Water was first found out was by a Dream; but I doubt not but you have heard of it before now, therefore shall say no more concerning it, but earnestly recommend it to Providence, who alone can bless the Use of these Waters to Mankind."

"This Place has made a great Figure in History, it being formerly Surrounded by a Part of the Sea, and was then called the Isle of Avalon; there is the Remains of an antient beautiful Cathedral or Abbey, formerly under the Government of an Abbot, but was destroyed in the Reign of Henry the VIIIth. It is remarkable for being the Burial Place of several British Kings, and also for a Tree call the Holy Thorn, which blossoms at Christmas, even in the severest Weather, and appears as beautiful as the finest Thorn in May, with several other Curiosities."