that they won't let their Horses drink near the first rise of some of
them; this I have seen the sad Effects of, and which has obliged me to
avoid two that run cross a Road in _Bucks_ and _Hertfordshire_: But in
their runnings they often collect gross Particles from ouzy muddy
mixtures, particularly near Town, that make the Beer subject to new
fermentations, and grow foul upon alteration of weather as the _Thames_
water generlly does; yet is this for its softness much better than the
hard sort, however both these waters are used by some Brewers as I shall
hereafter observe; but where a River-water can be had clear in a dry time,
when no great Rain has lately fell out of Rivulets or Rivers that have a
Gravelly, Chalky, Sandy or Stone-bottom free from the Disturbance of
Cattle, &c. and in good Air, as that of _Barkhamstead St. Peters_ in
_Hertfordshire_ is; it may then justly claim the name of a most excellent
water for Brewing, and will make a stronger Drink with the same quantity
of Malt than any of the Well-waters; insomuch that that of the _Thames_
has been proved to make as strong Beer with seven Bushels of Malt, as
Well-water with eight; and so are all River-waters in a proportionable
degree, and where they can be obtain'd clean and pure, Drink may be drawn
fine in a few Days after Tunning.

Rain-water is very soft, of a most simple and pure nature, and the best
Diluter of any, especially if received free from Dirt, and the Salt of
Mortar that often mixes with it as it runs off tyled Roofs; this is very
agreeable for brewing of Ales that are not to be kept a great while, but
for Beers that are to remain some time in the Casks, it is not so, well,
as being apt to putrify the soonest of any.

Pond-waters; this includes all standing waters chiefly from Rain, and are
good or bad as they happen; for where there is a clean bottom, and the
water lies undisturbed from the tread of Cattle, or too many Fish, in an