Bedford in the stage with three gentlemen and a young girl passengers. It had snowed all night, {52} and the ground was covered some inches deep, so we had to proceed
- [Footnote:
Quin et afflicti, ac oculisque lumbis
Has bibant undas, stomacho dolentes;
Pauperes, dites, recreentque corpus
Sæpe bibendo.
Has bibant undas vacui, salubres;
Nil nocent salus Puerisve Nymphis:
Pauperes multi hæc, simul atque dites,
Dicere possunt.
Bedfordiæ, (Pennsylvanorum) quarto }
Kal. Septembres, A.D. 1809. }
Bedford Gazette.
TRANSLATION
To John Anderson, M. D. the following Verses are inscribed, as a token of Friendship, by the Author James Ross
ON THE MEDICINAL SPRING OF BEDFORD
From the base of a lofty mountain issuing, O fountain, thy profusion of waters, thou sendest forth in silence, from thy fountain, deep in earth's womb embowled, them mingling with the stream, which murmurs below, thou loosest. No verdant plains, nor verdant fields are nourished by thy stream irriguous. Nor flocks, nor younglings of the herd dost thou with food supply. To no prowling beasts of prey, do thy shady, thy romantick banks, afford shelter or refuge. Hence, blooming virgins gay, matrons old, and aged sires, and youths lately in wedlock joined: greatly delight to saunter along thy streams; and, in the cool refreshing shade, to quaff thy healing waters.
While, with heartfelt satisfaction, the valetudinarian, in the waters of this fountain, laves himself, the diseases of the breast—the pains of the head—the distresses of the side—and deafness, which prevents the ear from drinking in the rich melodies of musick, all shrink from the healing efficacy of the healthful element. Let those drink whom the gout torments, and those whom the distressing cough annoys, diseases, which yield not to the art or care of the physician, however learned. In drinking, they certain aid shall find. The humble cottager, and wealthy lord, however weakened by disease shall re-invigorate their systems, by drinking these waters. Tender eyes shall regain their strength—lost powers of digestion shall again return—and the enfeebled loins, with new strength be girded. Let the sons of leisure, and votaries of amusement, on these health preserving waters regale themselves. The vigorous young man, and the rosy cheeked, from them receives no harm. Rich and poor innumerous, can well attest the truths I sing.
Ibid.—Cramer.
]
