[91] _See Matthew, Chap. viii. and ix., and John, Chap. v._ This pool, or at least some other in its stead, is shewn to travellers even at this day by the friars who reside there.[92] But, what is much more to the purpose, Eusebius asserts that it actually existed in his time, and had two basons; both of which were filled every year by the rains, at a stated time; and the water of one of them was of a surprizing red colour:[93] which last phœnomenon he attributes, according to the vulgar opinion, to the sacrifices, which were formerly cleansed there. But I am clearly of opinion, that it was owing to a red earth or ocre, which is frequently found in baths, raised up from the bottom at certain times by the rains, and mixing with the water. [92] _See Cotovici Itinerarium Hierosolymitarum, Lib. ii. Cap. ii. and Maundrell’s Journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem, 8vo. p. 107. Oxford 1714._ [93] _Onomasticon urbium & locorum sacræ scripturæ, in voce_ Βηζαϑά. Commentators find more than one difficulty here. For first they enquire what sort of water this was; next why it could not exert its virtue without being troubled; then what was the nature of this troubling; and lastly, concerning the angel they do not agree, who he was. Wherefore I will offer my opinion, in a concise manner, on these several points. First then, mineral waters were in high esteem among the ancients for many diseases: they used them inwardly and outwardly, and recommended them for different distempers according to the nature of the mineral, with which they were impregnated. Thus in paralitic cases, Celsus recommends _swimming or bathing in the natural sea or salt water, where it can conveniently be come at; where it cannot, even in water made salt by art_.[94] And Pliny says, _sulphureous water is useful for the nerves, aluminous for paralytics, or other relaxed habits of the body_. He likewise adds; _They use the mud of those fountains with advantage, especially if, when it is rubbed on, it be suffered to dry in the sun_.[95] The same author relates strange things of some springs. _In Boætia_, says he, _there are two springs, one of which retrieves the memory, the other destroys it.[96] In Macedonia two streams meet, one of them extremely wholsome to drink, the other mortal._[97] And other things of the same nature. To these may be added what Lucian, an eye-witness relates of the river Adonis in the country of the Byblii. _The water of that river changes its colour once a year, and turning as red as blood, gives a purple tinge to the sea, into which it runs_: and the cause of this phœnomenon he ascribes to its _passing thro’ mount Libanus, whose earth is red_.[98] Nor is it foreign to the purpose to observe, that there are wonderful eruptions of water in some countries. In the province of Conaught in Ireland, there is a fountain of fresh water on the top of a high mountain, which imitates the tide, by sinking and overflowing twice a