DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1213#0096
STBEATHAM. 75
for its ?aces, was, some two hundred years ago, equally
renowned for its mineral water, a spring of which, dis-
covered on the common in 1618, was the first of the kind
ever found in England. The celebrity of these waters was
not only confined to England, it extended over Erance,
Germany, and the continent, and in 1640, although
Epsom salts were sold at 55. an ounce, the demand
exceeded the supply. A ball-room was built, lodging-
houses erected, and so great was the resort of English-
families and foreigners to the village, that it could not
contain all the company. Neither Bath nor Tonbridge
exceeded it in splendour, or could boast of more dis-
tinguished visitors. Sea-bathing and other causes, in the
course of time, caused Epsom to lose its reputation as a
fashionable watering-place. It now enjoys a more bril-
liant but more ephemeral renown, as the chief stage of
the exploits of our high-mettled racers.
Returning to Kenniugton-gate, we pursue the road on
the left. At the corner of the south extremity is a wide
road leading from Kennington to Camberwell-green, called
the Camberwell New-road. Briwton, into which we now
enter, is parallel with the Clapham-road and Stockwell.
Its name is derived from Brixi, in olden times a great
Saxon proprietor in these parts. Erom St. Matthew's
church, Brixton, two roads branch, the one on the left
leading by way of Effra-road and Tube-hill to Norwood;
that on the right being a continuance of the main road to
Bri%ton-hill, Here is situate a House of Correction,
opened in 1820, and where that instrument of punishment,
the tread-wheel, was first introduced. There are ten
airing-yards in this prison, all of which radiate from the
governor's house in the centre.
By Streatham-hill, which is a continuation of Brixton-
hill, we reach the quiet and picturesque village of Streut-
ham} so called from having been situated near the Great
Boman Road from Arundel to London, strete signifying
in the Saxon tongue a highway, and ham a dwelling. In
tho Doomsday Book it is written Estrahara. In the reign
for its ?aces, was, some two hundred years ago, equally
renowned for its mineral water, a spring of which, dis-
covered on the common in 1618, was the first of the kind
ever found in England. The celebrity of these waters was
not only confined to England, it extended over Erance,
Germany, and the continent, and in 1640, although
Epsom salts were sold at 55. an ounce, the demand
exceeded the supply. A ball-room was built, lodging-
houses erected, and so great was the resort of English-
families and foreigners to the village, that it could not
contain all the company. Neither Bath nor Tonbridge
exceeded it in splendour, or could boast of more dis-
tinguished visitors. Sea-bathing and other causes, in the
course of time, caused Epsom to lose its reputation as a
fashionable watering-place. It now enjoys a more bril-
liant but more ephemeral renown, as the chief stage of
the exploits of our high-mettled racers.
Returning to Kenniugton-gate, we pursue the road on
the left. At the corner of the south extremity is a wide
road leading from Kennington to Camberwell-green, called
the Camberwell New-road. Briwton, into which we now
enter, is parallel with the Clapham-road and Stockwell.
Its name is derived from Brixi, in olden times a great
Saxon proprietor in these parts. Erom St. Matthew's
church, Brixton, two roads branch, the one on the left
leading by way of Effra-road and Tube-hill to Norwood;
that on the right being a continuance of the main road to
Bri%ton-hill, Here is situate a House of Correction,
opened in 1820, and where that instrument of punishment,
the tread-wheel, was first introduced. There are ten
airing-yards in this prison, all of which radiate from the
governor's house in the centre.
By Streatham-hill, which is a continuation of Brixton-
hill, we reach the quiet and picturesque village of Streut-
ham} so called from having been situated near the Great
Boman Road from Arundel to London, strete signifying
in the Saxon tongue a highway, and ham a dwelling. In
tho Doomsday Book it is written Estrahara. In the reign