Hargrove appears also to be the earliest to assert that Bright was the
first writer on Harrogate. In his "History of Knaresborough" it is
merely stated "soon after its discovery Dr. Bright wrote on its virtues
and uses."[17] There is no authority for that assertion in any of the
works of Dr. Bright mentioned in the footnote, and the only evidence in
support of Hargrove is that given by Wheater,[18] who writes:--

"Dr. Bright was first to rush into description and he acquits
himself with true Elizabethan flavour. He observes regarding the
water that 'It occasions the retention of nothing that should be
evacuated and by relaxation evacuates nothing that should be
retained. It dries nothing but what's too moist and flaccid, and
heats nothing but what's too cold, and e contra: that though no
doubt there are some accidents and objections to the contrary, it
makes the lean fat, the fat lean, cures the cholic and the
melancholy, and the vapours: and that it cures all aches speedily
and cheereth the heart.' Such a recommendation," &c.

This quotation, which is apparently the only evidence in support of
Hargrove's assertion that Bright wrote the first account of the English
Spa, is not taken from Bright's writings at all, but from Dr. Short's
summary of "The Yorkshire Spaw." "The Yorkshire Spaw" was a treatise
written by Dr. John French in 1652, and so far therefore from being
written by Dr. Bright, was actually written thirty-seven years after
Bright's death.

It is perhaps only fair to the memory of both Hargrove and Wheater to
state that neither of them would have fallen into this error if they had
had the privilege of reading Deane's dedication to "Spadacrene Anglica,"