Extracts of Two Letters, Written by the Ingenious Mr. Adam Martindale to the Publisher from Rotherton in Cheshire, Novemb. 12. and Nov. 26. 1670. Concerning the Discovery of a Rock of Natural Salt in That Country

PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. Decemb 12. 1670. The CONTENTS. Extracts of two Letters, concerning a late Discovery of a Rock of Natural Salt in England. An Accompt touching away of restoring the Salubrity of the Country about Rome, applicable to other places. An Experiment of the Progress of Artificial Conglaciation, and the remarkable Accidents therein observ'd by the Florentin Philosophers. An Extract of a Letter of M. Hevelius, concerning his Observations of a late Eclipse of the Moon, a Conjunction of the Moon and Venus; as also some further remarks of two New Stars, &c. The Predictions of M. Flamstead concerning some notable Obscurations of divers Fixed Stars in the Year 1671. An Accompt of three Books. I. ORIGO FORMARUM & QUALITATUM, Auth. Roberto Boyle: now Printed in Latin. II. METALLOGRA- PHIA, or an History of Metals; by John Webster. III. LETTERA di Francisco Redi Sopra alcune Oppositioni fatte alle sue Observationi intorno alle VIPERE. Extracts of two Letters, written by the Ingenious Mr. Adam Martindale to the Publisher from Rotherton in Cheshire, Novemb. 12. and Nov. 26. 1670. concerning the Discovery of a Rock of Natural Salt in that Country. — A Gentleman of good account and reputation assures me, that in our County there is lately found out a great rarity, viz. a Rock of Natural Salt, from which issues a vigorous Sharp Brine, beyond any of the Springs made use of in our Salt-works; and this not nigh any River or great brook, as all our Salt-springs in this Country are. I should scarce have adventur'd to write this to you, had I not believed, that this discovery might perhaps prove usefull towards the filling up of some blank corner of a Page in the History of Nature. However I am perswaded, that such Ingenuity, as posseleth the R. Society, cannot but pardon my boldness, arising from a zeal to serve such Benefactors to Humane nature. And if you desire to know any more particulars concerning this matter, a Letter of yours directed * * * shall command me to view the place, and there to inquire after the circumstances, and communicate them to you, &c. This being so acceptable an offer, the Author of the Letter was desired accordingly, to give himself the trouble of viewing the place himself: Which desire he not only hath very obligingly complied with, but also imparted what he learned in that view, as follows: I am just now return'd from visiting and viewing the Salt-work, and find things according to my Friends Relation: Only whereas I understood him, that no running water came near it, I now perceive, that he spoke of none that was considerable, or none that might annoy it. For there runs near it (at least in the Winter season) a small rindle (or gutter rather;) but it is wholly free from all danger of overflowing; which threatens all other Salt-pits in this County, every great shower, through the vicinity of Rivers. The Rock of Salt, by the relation of the Work-men, is between 33, and 34 yards distant from the Surface of the Earth; about 30 whereof are already digged; and they hope to be at the Flagg, which covers the Salt-rock, about three weeks hence. I doubt, it will be several months, before I can accommodate you with a parcel of it; that which the auger brought up, being long since disposed of, and the work-men not daring to remove the Flagg, till the Frame be finish't and well settled for the securing of the work from the circumjacent earth. The Overseer hath promised to furnish me with a piece piece of the Rock for your use; as also to signify to me the time, when they intend to uncover it; that, if possible, we may make some such Experiments, as you have intimated. That parcel of Natural Salt, which the instrument brought up, divers that saw it assure me, was as hard as Allom, and as pure; and when pulverized, became an Excellent, fine and sharp Salt. The first discoverer of it was one John Jackson of Halton, about Lady-day last, as he was searching for Coals on the behalf of the Lord of the Soil, William Marbury of Marbury Esquire. This is all I can at present serve you in; only I am consulting diligent and experienced persons concerning the practice of the Agriculture of this Country, and hope ere long to give you such an account as I can; though I cannot hope to discover any thing worth the notice of that truly Royal Society. It will be enough to satisfy my ambition, if I may but be continued in your thoughts as a Well-wisher to such Noble persons and designs. In confidence whereof I subscribe, &c. An Accomp given by a Florentin Patrician, call'd Jo. Battista Donius, concerning a way of restoring the Salubrity of the Country about Rome: Extracted out of the ninth Italian Giornale de Letterati; and English't as follows. The Campagne of Rome, (which is that Tract of Land, that is destitute of Inhabitants and Trees, and extends itself for many miles, taking in Latium, and part of the ancient Sabins, and of Tuscany,) would be of great use to the State, and of subsistence to the people, if it could be inhabited without that great danger to health, which now 'tis so much noted and fear'd for; Physicians esteeming, that from the Summer-Solstice unto the Autumnal Equinox, the Air of it is so bad and noxious, that it would be great rashness to dwell there: A malignity, which in former Ages it was free from, at least, in that of Cicero, who, as appears by his Letters lived