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altogether. The early culture of the mind is of more importance than parents are generally aware of: it is certain that boys, from 4 to 8 years of age, can be of little service in the common occupations of life; if, then, they are not employed in any way during this time, they will imbibe habits of idleness and insubordination, which, at a future period, will render mental improvement irksome, and retard their progress in any profession for which they may be destined: on the contrary, when they are early sent to school, habits of order and regularity are instilled into their minds, while, at the same time, they are laying the foundation of future excellence, and acquiring a stock of useful knowledge, which will enable them to support their characters, and act their parts in society, in a manner suitable to their dignity, as men, and as christians.

MINERAL SPRINGS OF PETERHEAD.

All waters naturally impregnated with any heterogeneous matter, which they have dissolved within the earth, may be called mineral waters, in the most general and exten

sive meaning of that term; in which, therefore, are comprehended almost all that flow upon the face of the earth; for almost all these contain some earth, or selenites: but waters, containing only earth, are not generally called mineral waters, but simply hard waters.

Mineral waters, properly so called, are those in which gas, or sulphureous, saline, or metallic substances, are discovered, by chemical analysis. As many of these waters are used with success in medicine, they are thence called medicinal waters of this class are the mineral springs of Peterhead. One of these, called the Wine well,* has been in great repute for upwards of 200 years: there are 5 other mineral springs in the neighbourhood of it, which are all nearly of the same quality as the Wine well; the principal constituent of all of them being muriate of iron.

The Wine well of Peterhead has long been much esteemed and resorted to, on ac

* It received the name of the Wine well from its being situated at the bottoin of a narrow lane, (now Jamaica Street), formerly called the Wynd. After the same manner, another well in the neighbourhood of it received the name of the Row well, from its situation, near several houses on a line with one another, called the Row.

count of the great benefit which has been derived from the use of it. It may, therefore, be expected, that some account of the virtues ascribed to it will be given in this place.

Analyses of mineral waters, are, perhaps, the most difficult of any in chemistry; many of these waters have been accurately analysed by able chemists and physicians, but, notwithstanding these attempts, we are far from having all the certainty and knowledge that might be desired on this head. Almost all mineral waters contain several different substances, which, being united with water, form with each other numberless compounds. Frequently, some of the principles of mineral waters are in so small quantities, that they can scarcely be perceived, although they may have some influence on the virtues of the water, and also on the other principles contained in the water. The chemical operations used in the analyses of the mineral waters may sometimes occasion essential changes in the substances that are to be discovered; and further, such waters are susceptible of very considerable changes, by motion, rest, or exposure to air.

Probably also, the variations of the at

mosphere, subterraneous changes, some se

cret junction of a new spring of mineral or pure water, or perhaps the exhaustion of the minerals where the springs receive their principles, are causes which may occasionally change the quality of mineral waters.

It is no wonder, therefore, that the results of analyses of the same water, made by different chemists, whose skill and accuracy cannot be questioned, should be different.

An analysis of the Wine well was given in a small pamphlet, published about 20 years ago, by Dr. Laing, and also a particular account of its constituent and component parts, together with remarks on the medicinal virtues of the water, drawn up from his own experience. About the same time, an account of it was likewise given by the Rev. Dr. Moir, in his Statistical Account of the Parish of Peterhead, (Stat. Acc. of Scotland, Vol. XVI.): although these differ with regard to the use of the water in some parti· cular cases, yet they both agree as to the medicinal virtues which it possesses, and the good effects produced by it in many cases.

It is certain, from long experience, that it is very efficacious in cases of general debility, disorders of the stomach and bowels,

flatulencies, indigestions, and nervous complaints.

According to Dr. Laing, the effects generally perceived after drinking this water, are the following:

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1. If the stomach is in a fit state for receiving the waters, having no foulness, nor even food, on it; and if the water be taken in small portions at a time, though a considerable quantity be swallowed in the whole, it sits light and easy on the stomach, without causing flatulency, tumefaction, or any other inconvenience.

2. In some it produces a slight appearance of intoxication, especially on beginning to use it; and almost always, not only sound sleep in the night, but also a considerable degree of drowsiness through the day.

3. One of its most certain effects is a very hearty appetite, especially for breakfast. Most people, after using the water for some days, for the first time, are surprised at their impatience for the hour of breakfast, and at the unusual quantity of food which they find necessary for them.

These two last effects are justly reckoned sure signs of the water agreeing well with

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