The Sun.
London, England, 1837-10-21 00:00:00

TNIE MEDWAY BATHING ESTABLISHMENT at RO-
CHESTER—ONE of the MOST PERFECT in ENGLAND.

TO. BE SOLD BY AUCTION,
BY MR. GEORGE ROBINS,

At the Auction Mart, on THURSDAY NEXT, Oct. 26, at Twelve
o'clock, by Order of the Directors, and without any restriction
as to price,
ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE AND
INVITING SPECULATIONS
that oan well be imagined. It comprehends
The CELEBRATED ESTABLISHMENT DENOMINATED

THE MEDWAY HOT AND FLOATING BATHS,
which have been placed with much circumspection on the
BANK of the RIVER MEDWAY,

beneath the stupendous rock, o'er which hangs the
RENOWNED RUINS of ROCHESTER CASTLE,

and partaking of the Antiquarian and Historical interest that is con-
nected with the several attractions of this City. Ingenuity would
be puzzled to select a more congenial spot. It approximates upon
the Bridge. In front are

LORD DARNLEY'S WOODS AND FORESTS,
while on every side fresh beauties press in constant succession.
Pausing awhile in the splendid receiving room erected with the
view to dissipate the time while the Bathers are anxiously waiting
their turn, it will occur to the thoughtful mind that
THE MARCH OF IMPROVEMENT,

which has progressed so quickly in other directions, must not stop
short at
—.— . -----.

ROCHESTER'S FAMED CITY ;

indeed, it cannot be doubted that enterprise and tact are alone
wanting to secure it a high place among the distinguished of
ENGLAND'S FAVOURED WATERING PLACES.
It has every thing to give promise to such an undertaking. The
easy distance from the Metropolis will in time diminish the Number of
the countless thousands who, during the season progress further on
the coast, to arrive at less accommodation ; and if it be urged that
the water be not sufficiently active: it needs only a short visit to set
the point agreeably at rest. It hath been subject to a chemical
analysis, which has demonstrated that for every healthful purpose it
will contend with the strength of the open sea. It is more im-
pregnated with salt than at any point in the river above the Nore.
Next, it may be expedient to give a short outline of the Establish-
ment. It was erected and completed about 18 months since in a
style which has left every other Bathing Establishment in England
at an immeasurable distance. The name of Smirke, who presided
over it, is " Proof as strong as Holy Writ," in favour of this as-
sertion • and it will probably be enough to say, it is worthy of his
fame and ingenuity. His skill is manifest every where, and it is
quite visible that a master-mind has presided over the whole
building, inasmuch as perfection may be accounted one of its at-
tributes ; this observation applies not merely to the solid and
splendid Building nn the bank of the Medway, but equally so to
THE FLOATING VESSEL,

of fanciful and novel structure, which is appended to

THE WARM BATHS.

There

;IS THAT WITHIN WHICH PASSETH SHOW,"

for the most fastidious could not find a single fault—indeed, th•
Baths a.• altog they a model of so much perfection, that posterity
will read a Tau .b 1 e lesson, and the profit in view will awaken them
to its adopt►on. Thu accommodation is upon so extensive a scale,
that

300 HOT BATHS, AND
600 FLOATING BATHS DAILY,
may with facility be accomplished. It perhaps will be asked,
with all these varied qualifications, what has interfered to prevent
its triumphat success? The Directors will excuse the individual
who has the conduct of this sale, for his candid reply to this

Hypothesis,
IT IS TO THE TURMOIL OF POLITICAL DISCORD,
ono of the severest visitations with which a town can be afflicted ;
and to this, and this ALONE the want of immense success must be
traced. The bad taste that has engendered thisfeeling, has done in-
finitemischief to the City, and the Bathing Establishment has (Alal-
heurcusement) been visited by its full share. Politics has weakened
the tide of
ROCHESTER'S PROSPERITY,

and but for a more judicious course in the prospective, would
entail on this once flourishing City, amongst other disasters,
that of seeking health and salt-water bathing at a distance.
Steam navigation should have read a useful lecture on the
necessity of husbanding whatever resources still remain. Let
a warning voice inspire the inhabitants, while yet in time,
to bury all political discord in oblivion, and cherish this op-
portunity, to defy distant competition. Whoever may be the
fortunate possessor of this property will excuse one solitary
hint :—Let him avoid politics, as a careful mariner would escape a
quicksand; let him follow
THE view TENOR OF HIS WAY,
AVOIDING ALIKE BOTH " SCYLLA and CHARYBDIS,"
and when this political schism has been healed, the income that
must be the result of civility and attention, may be safely set down
at one, or even extend to
TWO THOUSAND POUNDS A YEAR.
The cost of the building " exceeds seven thousand pounds." It is
now so perfect that it needs not the outlay of another guinea; and,
in despite of the untoward event that has been alluded to, it is al-
ready a
SOURCE OF LARGE INCOME,
and a spirited possessor, who will proclaim that POLITICS are no
part of his creed, and civility and marked attention to all " I S
HIS MOTTO," will not only benefit this ancient city, but secure
an IMMENZ:E ANNUAL REVENUE
to 4imself. The tenure 14, nearly allied to freehold, the outgoing
one shill,inx a year.
Much nlor.c of useful information will be appended to the printed
Particulars to be ready forthwith, and had at the establishment ;
also at the Crown and Bull Hotels, in the city of Rochester ; at
Wright's Hotels, Canterbury and Margate; the Auction Mart;
and in Covent-garden.

P.S. The Steam-engine of two horse power, with a four horse
boiler, will give positive plod that no expense has been spared; to
which it may be added, a Warm Bath requires only ONE MINUTE
to be ready for the valetudinarian.