25 DECEMBER 1915, Page 25

Old La ndon's Spas, Baths, and Wells. By Soptimus Sunder-

land, M.D. (John Bale, Sons, and Danielsson. 7s. 6d. nets)— " Tod's Well, a corruption of Gode Well (Good Well) or Golding's Well, situated in the Clerkenwdll neighbourhood, gave its name to Goswell Street, B.C.," is one out of many curious entries in Dr. Sunderland's attractive book. We read also that " St. Clement's Well, Strand," which was mentioned as early as 1180 by Fitzstephen, " was a halting-place of the pilgrims on the way to Canterbury, who used to encamp near the well to refresh themselves and their horses." The following recom- mendation of the waters of a particular Spa reads like the advertisement of a modern patent medicine ;— " This water corroborates the Brain and Nerves, and so prevents or cures the Apoplexy, falling Sickness, Palsy, Dizziness, Ache of the Head, and all such like symptoms. It strengthens the Stomach, it makes gross and fat bodies loan, and loan bodies fleshy."

Lovers of London should find much enjoyment in turning over the pages of this book, not only because of the curious informa- tion in the text, but also of the numerous reproductions of quaint old prints. Among these we may note, as specially appealing to us, " May Day at the London Spa, 1720," and " Hampstead Assembly and Pump Rooms in Well Walk."