SELECTING A SUITABLE BATHING PLACE.
Great care should be exercised in the selection of a bathing place. The novice should choose some well-known bathing resort, where the water is shallow ; and, if a stranger, he should sound the chosen spot carefully with a pole, in order to ascertain its depth, since the eye is rbot always to be relied on in judging the actual depth of water. ThS kind of place best suited for bathing is on a shelving, sandy shore, on which water gradually deepens, and where no awkward sweep of the' current may take the bather off his feet ; a smooth, sandy bottom, is to be preferred above all others, as it is much safer and more pleasant in every respect.
The nature of the bottom is of great importance to the novice, and, indeed, to every bather, for the river bed is often composed of sharp stones that cut the feet, or strewn with sunken branches, that thrust their jagged points as if on purpose to wound the unwary bather, and give him a chance of severe injury. Few accidents are more dangerous than those caused by sharp splinters entering the feet, and remaining there. Other waters, and especially those of ponds, and all still waters, deposit a depth of mud at the bottom, which frequently contains substances that treacherously pierce the feet, or perchance cut them dangerously. The mud itself, if shallow,
is perfectly harmless, but it is sometimes deep enough to be danger ous. There is yet one other important danger to be guarded against. The bather should be certain that the river-bed contains no deep holes, or other sudden depressions, before he ventures into an unknown stream, as many novices, while attempting to learn how to swim in a place with which they were unacquainted, have lost their lives through accidentally stepping into an unseen hole in the bed of the river. The bather, therefore, should select a bathing place free from holes, weeds, stones, and a muddy bottom, in order to ensure safety. By choosing a place where the water is clear, and deepens gradually, such as a shelving, sandy beach, on a calm day, the novice can banish all fear of drowning from his mind. Should the banks of the bathing place be shaded by a few trees, and should there be, close by, an open space for a run on the grass after the bath, so much the better ; and the young learner will then have every inducement to venture the "sudden dip" or "headlong plunge."