Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-02-07
The Holy Wells OF Old England.

The comparatively insipid springs of
England were consecrated by the
Church in ancient days, and shrines
were erected near them under the care
of some patron saint. The counties of
Norfolk and Suffolk contained sanitary.
wells of various efficacy, where wonder
full cures were performed. The Pool
of ST. Nun, in Cornwall, was efficaciousl
in cases of insanity Pilgrimages were
performed to these fountains, and offer
ings made at the shrines. The Wish
ing Wells of Walsingham were also ID
high repute. The practice was for the
devotee to drink of the water, kneeling
devoutly upon the margin, repeating
the things be desired, and throwing in
pieces of gold. In this latter custom
Saratoga'a devotees are not behind
hand.
r., The Holy Well of st. Winefrede, in
CaernarvOnshire, was IN ancient times
greatly celebrated The spring boils
with impetuosity out of a rock, and is.
covered with rich arch supported by
pillars, over which is roof of exquls-
itely carved stone, A chapel was built
over it by the illustrious house of the
Stanleys, centuries ago, to which Kath-
airline of Aragon, one of thetlnfortunate
wives of Henry VIII, became bene.
factress. The origin of this well is
given in the following tradition: In
the seventh century abeautiful damsel,
Winefried, resided near by, of whom
Eradocus, one of the Princes of the
country, became enamored. He
made overturesa to her, but the
Il al Ao1 D.. frrr,, !,
horror The monster pursued, and
rovertaking her struck off her head upon
neighboring hill. The head rolled
into valley which was always dry,
whereupon the spring burst from the
earth. "The moss on the sides Of the
fountain diffused a fragrant smell,
which, like the flowers of Adonis, an
nually commemorate the past by as
Stunning different colors y But though
thus unceremoniously ,beheaded, the
good st. Bueno took up the head, and
nicely fitting it to the trunk, prayed it
together again as good as new? The
virtuous damsel lived many years after
ward, was canonized at her death. and
the spring, during all the dark ages,
wrought wonderful cures of every com
plant. u
T The holy wells of ST. George and ST.
Hlian were likewise in Caernarvon-
SHIRE. and their virtues were remark
able. Distempered horses being
brought there and sprinkled with holy
water were restored; and nobleman,
bringing one of his horses as an offer
ing to the saint, secured blessing for
all the rest st. Hlian's Well was re-
| onrta1 TO for OF
spring aided in the discovery OF stolen
goods and the detection of the thief
The spring, likewise, was sometimes
besought to imprecate offending neigh
bors, and to inflict sudden death upon
troublesome neighbors At the Well
of st. Peris, in Snowdonia, the
sibyl OF the place told the fortunes
of it's votaries by the appearance or
non-appearance of little fish that
lurked in some of it's holes. The well
of ST. Teela, virgin convert of Paul. is
in Llandegla, and is said to cure verti-
go. The patient must pay fourpence,
and present an offering of cock for a
male, and hen for female. He or
she must walk three times around the
well, and sleep one night in the chapel
with Bible for a pillow. The ceI e !
monies must never be commenced till
after sunset The Well of ST. Cheyne,
in Cornwall, was famous in another
respect. 1t was as great a resort for
newly married people as the springs at
Saratoga are at the present day, though
perhaps not for the same reason: for
Whatsoever of the newly married.
couple drank first from this fountain
after marriage maintained the mastery
of the household during life ait. -