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beth; and, when Norden wrote, an Alderman Roe had ' a proper
house occupying the Bite.'
"The Wells, from which this tract and the hill comprising it
take name, arc two in number, and continue in good preservation,
being bricked round to the depth from which they seemingly spring
(about five feet | and a half), and enclosed besides from the field,
wherein they are situated, by wooden railings. Though a few
yards only asunder their waters differ in quality ; that of the one
being hard, sweet, and beautifully pellucid, while the other more
nearly resembles rain water, and is used only for the purposes to
which the latter is commonly applied. Neither are at present
supposed to possess any medicinal properties. An infant brook
issues from their united and ceaseless overflowing; which descending
the hill and winding through the adjacent meadows, at length finds
its way to the comparatively distant Lea River.
" This tract is regularly visited, and its limits marked at the
perambulation of the Parish, which takes place septennially; it is
at present entirely under pasturage. The only habitations upon it
are two by the road side, traditionally said to occupy the site of the
dairy farm, which in the monastic lime sent its produce to the nuns
of Clerkenwell. Part of an adjoining house being also within the
parochial line (as is signified by the usual initials affixed to its
front), the perambulators are obliged to pa?s through this latter
dwelling in order to assert their long established boundary."
This part of the Parish has within the last few
years been laid out for building purposes. New
roads have been formed, and there are now 32
houses in assessment.