| Description | ' Extract of a letter ..... concerning an inflammable Vapour in Lancashire, which boils Water etc. '
Read before the Royal Society on 9 September 1663
'In Mr Molyneux of Hawkley's ground near Wiggan in Lancashire, in an old grown-up ditch, and where the water floweth over it, the water bubbleth as if it were a great Fountain; but no more runs from it, than what runs down the Ditch : and holding a Candle within half a yard of it, it flameth immediately, like burnt Strong-waters, without any delay. But take all the Water out, and shuffle it dry, it maketh a noise like the seething of a Pot : and holding then a Candle to it, it flameth more violintly, and at least three yards high : and it will burn Coals, Wood, or any other combustible thing, sooner than Fire.
I caused a Brass-Pot of Water to be set over it, and it boiled immediately. This Colonel Daniel and several others with my self saw : and Mrs Molyneux hath invited me to the eating of a Hen and Bacom booiled by the Fire.
Roger Bradshaig. ' |