Hogarth, in his “Analysis of Beauty,” mentions the circumstance of a
dancing-master’s observing, that though the “minuet” had been the study
of his whole life, he could only say with Socrates, that he “knew
nothing.” Hogarth added of himself, that he was happy in being a
painter, because some bounds might be set to the study of his art.
Vol. II.--30.
[Illustration: ~The Bishop’s Well, Bromley, Kent.~]
There is a way from Bromley market-place across meadow grounds to the
palace of the bishop of Rochester. This edifice, about a quarter of a
mile from the town, is a plain, homely mansion, erected in 1783 by
bishop Thomas, on the site of the ancient palace built there by bishop
Gilbert Glanville, lord chief justice of England, after he succeeded to
the see in 1185, instead of a still more ancient palace, founded by the
prelate Gundalph, an eminent architect, bishop of Rochester in the reign
of William the Conqueror. At a few hundred yards eastward of the palace
is the “Bishop’s Well;” which, while I minutely examined it, Mr.
Williams sketched; and he has since engraved it, as the reader sees.
The water of the “Bishop’s Well” is a chalybeate, honoured by local
reputation with surprising properties; but, in reality, it is of the
same nature as the mineral water of Tunbridge Wells. It rises so slowly,
as to yield scarcely a gallon in a quarter of an hour, and is retained
in a small well about sixteen inches in diameter. To the stone work of
this little well a wooden cover is attached by a chain. When the fluid
attains a certain height, its surplus trickles through an orifice at the
side to increase the water of a moat, or small lake, which borders the
grounds of the palace, and is overhung on each side with the branches of
luxuriant shrubs and trees. Above the well there is a roof of thatch,
supported by six pillars, in the manner of a rustic temple, heightening
the picturesque appearance of the scene, so as to justify its
representation by the pencil. On visiting it, with Mr. W., this pleasant
seclusion, consecrated by former episcopal care, and the fond
recollections of ancient adjacent residents, was passing to ruin: we
disturbed some boys in their work of pulling reeds from the thatched
roof. A recent vacancy of the see seemed to have extended to the
superintendence of the well; the seeds of neglect had germinated, and
were springing up. I have revisited the spot, and seen
---------------- the wild-briar,
The thorn, and the thistle, grown broader and higher.
The “Bishop’s Well” is said to have been confounded with a spring of
more ancient note, called St. Blase’s Well. Of this latter well
topographers[272] say, “It anciently had an oratory annexed to it,
dedicated to St. Blasius, which was much frequented at Whitsuntide,
because Lucas, who was legate for Sixtus the Fourth, here in England,
granted an indulgent remission of forty days; enjoined penance to all
those who should visit this chapel, and offer up their orizons there in
the three holidays of Pentecost. This oratory falling to ruin at the
Reformation, the well too became disused, and the site of both in
process of time was forgotten, and continued so till the well was
discovered again in the year 1754, by means of a yellow ochrey sediment
remaining in the tract of a small current leading from the spring to the
corner of the moat, with the waters of which it used to mix. In digging
round the well there were found the remains of the old steps leading
down to it, made of oak plank, which appeared to have lain under ground
many years. The water of this spring is chalybeate, and rises at the
foot of a declivity, at a small distance eastward from the bishop’s
palace. The soil through which it passes is gravel, and it issues
immediately from a bed of pure white sand. The course of the spring
seems to be about north-north-east and south-south-west from its
aperture; its opening is towards the latter; and as Shooter’s Hill bears
about north-north-east from its aperture, it probably comes from thence.
The water being thus found to be a good chalybeate, was, by the bishop’s
orders, immediately secured from the intermixture of other waters, and
enclosed.”
Wilson, a recent writer, affirms, that “the old well, dedicated to St.
Blase, is about two hundred yards north-west of the mineral spring, in a
field near the road, with eight oaks in a cluster, on an elevated spot
of ground adjoining.” This, however, seems wholly conjectural, and
wholly nugatory; for, if “the old steps made of oak-plank, which
appeared to have lain under ground many years,” led to the “Bishop’s
Well,” it may reasonably be presumed that they were the “old steps” to
St. Blase’s Well, and that the water of the ancient oratory now flows
within the humble edifice represented by the engraving.
*
[272] Philipot, and Hasted.
* * * * *