"Flannel jackets, and brown paper caps appeared to be the costume of the valetudinarians who were drinking at the Wells, during our stay. We patronized the tepid spa by ordering 'Sixpennyworth warm,' as the potion was termed in the dialect of Bagnigge, for the purpose of drawing the proprietor into conversation. But he was, evidently, reluctant to impart much information, and told us nothing beyond what we already knew--a custom very prevalent at all the springs we have visited. "Lodgings, provisions, clothing, &c., are to be had at low rates in the neighbourhood, and there are several delightful spots in the vicinity of Bagnigge Wells. "The Excursion to Battle Bridge will be found highly interesting, returning by the Brill; and, to the admirers of nature, the panorama from the summit of King's Cross, embracing the Small Pox Hospital, and Imperial Gas Works, with the very low countries surrounding them, is peculiarly worthy of especial notice." Two years previous to this notice, there was a paragraph in the _Times_ (April 6, 1841) which shows how the Wells had fallen into decadence. "The Old Grotto, which had all the windows out, and was greatly dilapidated, and the upper part of the Garden Wall, was knocked down by some persons going along Bagnigge Road, early this morning." The old place had fulfilled its mission. It had ministered to the recreation and amusement, harmless, or otherwise, of generations of Londoners, and it came to final grief, and disappeared in 1844. Its name is still preserved in "The Bagnigge Wells" Tavern, 39, King's Cross Road, and that is all the reminiscence we have of this once famous place of recreative resort. [Footnote 37: An allusion to the hot buttered rolls, which were in vogue there.] [Footnote 38: See p. 89.] [Footnote 39: See ante-p. 84.] [Footnote 40: With all due deference to _Punch_, I think his version is slightly, only slightly, inaccurate. I have before me five copies, two MS. and three printed, all of which run-- "Come, prithee make it up, Miss, And be as lovers be, We'll go to Bagnigge Wells, Miss, And there we'll have some tea. It's there you'll see the Lady-birds Perch'd on the Stinging Nettles; The Chrystal water Fountain, And the Copper, shining Kettles. It's there you'll see the Fishes, More curious they than Whales, And they're made of Gold and Silver, Miss, And wags their little tails. Oh! they wags their little Tails --They wags their little Tails Oh! they're made of gold and silver, Miss, and they wags their little Tails. Oh! dear! Oh! la! Oh! dear! Oh! la! Oh! dear! Oh! la! How funny!"] [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER IX.