PUBLIC SWIMMING SCHOOLS.
The citizens of Canada should make every effort posssible to extend a knowledge of the art of swimming by erecting as many buildings of this kind as possible, in order that Canadians may some day excel the world in swimming, as they now do in rowing. It is to be regretted that, while bathing is so generally recommended by the highest medical authorities, it should be so seldom practised.
Professor Blaikie said, when speaking of the propriety of estab lishing public swimming baths, "he had often, while studying the classics, been astonished that in devoting so much attention to their languages, they practised so few of the customs of the ancients. Gymnastics were absolutely necessary to the preservation of health, arid bathing formed one very important part of gymnastics. . . Those gymnastics which excite, and those that soothe the physical frame, were as necessary to the development and perfect toning of the properties of the body, as education was to those of the mind " In many of the public swimming baths in England, where class distinc tion is much more marked than it is in Canada, where the spirit of a pure democracy prevails, there are three distinct grades of baths, styled first, second and third class, the scale of charges being graduated according to the accommodation. For instance, the Marylebone Baths, of London, England, contains not only the gem bath of seventy three feet long for gentlemen, and one of forty-five feet long for ladies, but a second-class bath of tepid water, sixty six feet long, the charge for admittance being threepence ; also a third-class bath of similar dimensions, for which twopence only is charged. AlI of
these are admirably lighted, airy and clean—even the third-class bath being lined with white brick. Public baths should always have an ample supply of bathing drawers, etc., so as to be an inducement to visitors to take a plunge; the luxury, when once enjoyed, will then be desired. Every swimming club is, or ought to be, provided with a proper uniform. The uniform of the Dolphin Swimming Club con sists of a blue serge combination suit (one piece); of the regulation pattern, from neck to knee. The suit is neatly trimmed with red and white, the whole constituting the tricolor. Across the breast are the letters D. S. C., forming a handsome and attractive uniform. When aquatic entertainments are given, and ladies come to witness them, "regulation dress" is very properly insisted on, and some sort of costume should at all times be compulsory.
Public baths are a blessing to every locality in which they are situated ; if it were not for them, many thousands in large cities would be doomed to live out their lot on earth in pent-up, ill-venti lated dwellings, where fresh air and the genial sun enter not ; their journey to their place of daily toil-is by roads alternately muddy and dusty, and they would never, but for those public baths, enjoy the blessing of a thorough ablution, thus relieving the monotony of their lives, and giving poor, abused and tired nature a chance.