a town of Surrey, about 16 miles southwest from London, long famous for its mineral waters. These were discovered in 1618; and though not in such repute as formerly, yet they are not impaired in virtue, and the salt made from them is famous all over Europe, for gently cleansing and cooling the body. The hall, galleries, and other public apartments, are now run to decay; and there remains only one house on the spot, which is inhabited by a countryman and his wife, who carry the waters in bottles to the adjacent places, and supply the demands of dealers in London. On the neighbouring downs are annually horse-races; but the inns, shops, and bowling-greens are not near so much frequented as formerly. The market is on Friday; fair, July 25. The town is about one mile and a half in semicircle, from the church to the palace at Durdans, which was burnt down some years since, but has been rebuilt. It was once inhabited by the late king's father. In Hudson's Lane here was Epsom Court, an ancient Saxon seat, long since converted into a farm. Here are so many fields, meadows, orchards, gardens, and the like, that a stranger would imagine that the town was built in a wood. The population in 1811 was 2515.

Epsom water is easily imitated by art; i.e. by only dissolving half an ounce of Epsom salt in a quart of pure water, made somewhat brisk or quick by adding a little sulphuric acid and potash, so as to let the alkali prevail.