Spadacrene Anglica | Page 9

advocates of this home fountain was Dr. Timothy Bright, who is
responsible for naming the well the "English Spa," which name was
apparently adopted by the gentry partaking of the water, whereas the
common folk still cling to the ancient name of Tuewhit Well.
Timothy Bright has had a varied literary history. For about three
centuries he was almost entirely forgotten, and some of his works even
ascribed to purely imaginary authors. In recent years full justice has
been done to his name as the "father of shorthand" following the
publication by J.H. Ford in 1888 of the tercentenary edition of his work
entitled "Characterie," and since that year there has been much written
of him. The curious may therefore consult the works mentioned in the
footnote,[15] but it will suffice for my purpose to give a brief sketch of
his life, not as the "father of shorthand," but as one of the fathers of
Harrogate.
Timothy Bright was born in Cambridge in the year 1551, matriculated
in Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1565, and took his B.A. in 1567-8.
He then went to Paris to study medicine, and in 1572 narrowly escaped
the Massacre at Paris on St. Bartholomew's Eve by taking shelter at the
house of Sir Francis Walsingham, the English ambassador. Returning
to England he graduated M.B. in 1574 and M.D. in 1579. In 1584 he
was well launched on his medical career, for he was the physician at St.
Bartholomew's Hospital. By this time he had achieved some reputation
as a writer and had obtained the friendship of the powerful Cecil Lord
Burghley, Sir Francis Walsingham and Sir Philip Sidney, which
probably explains how his now famous work "Characterie" was in 1588
dedicated to Queen Elizabeth. His connection with these powerful
personages led to a change in his profession and incidentally to his
connection with Harrogate, for on July 5th, 1591, the Queen presented
him to the Rectory of Methley in Yorkshire, and on the 30th of Dec.,

1594, also to the Rectory of Barwick in Elmet in the same county. He
held both these livings till his death, which took place in 1615. By his
Will he left his body "to be buried when and where it shall please God."
He was no mean linguist for he bequeathed his Hebrew Bible and a
Syriac Testament as well as Greek, Latin and Italian works to his
brother. His books of Phisick and Philosophie he bequeathed to his
sonne Titus Bright, M.D. He was fond of music and possessed the
standard work on harmony by Joseph Zarlino. This he left, along with
some instruments of music, a Theorbo and an Irish harp, "which I most
usuallye played upon" to his brother.
In spite of the fact that he took holy orders, it is evident from
"Spadacrene Anglica" that he was held in high esteem as a physician
(albeit non-practising) by his contemporaries in Yorkshire, and his
travel abroad in Germany well fitted him for the post of advocate,
which from humane and patriotic motives he assumed on behalf of the
English Spa.
Deane states that Bright first gave the name of English Spaw "about
thirty years since, or more," that is, in 1596 or earlier. This would seem
to indicate that Bright's association with Harrogate began shortly after
he was presented to the Rectory of Barwick in Elmet in 1594.
Dr. Bright was a prolific writer and the names of his works are given in
a footnote.[16] Some of his books passed through several editions.
Burton's "Anatomy of Melancholy" is said to have been suggested by
his "Treatise of Melancholy," and Shakespere was evidently acquainted
with his book, "Characterie, an Arte of shorte, swifte and secrete
Writing by Character."
"This is not my writing, Though, I confess, much like the character"
Twelfth Night. Act V, Sc. 1.
"All my engagements I will construe to thee, All the characterie of my
sad brows."
Julius Cæsar. Act ii, Sc. 1.

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