, 1859-12-16

1"AQm1QE f0F "0n13NA~,X1l4 SFFl8QN
ming Schools Of Paris.
As many parents are wishing to know hcw
girls can be taught the use Of their limbs in the
water, it may bo Interesting to know how the
art is taught at Paris Tue water ia that Of the
Seine. This is the least agreeable circumstance
IN tue case, as the wafer Of the Seine is quite rs
unlragrant ID the summer months as that Of the
Thames. Whether it is purified on entering
the bnths, do not know. Let us hope it is.
The batl. is moored in the Eirer, and the space
occupied by water il 120 feet in length; q course
long enough to afford room for all the exercises
connected with swimming. A wooden platform
three or four feet under water, reaches 10 about
the use Of children, and mere bathers who do
not swim. The other half is Of u cousidersb1e
depth in the middle, admitting Of practice III
genuine diring. The dress is excellent for the
purpose 1tis made of light woolen fabric,
which does not absorb much water. The trow-
upper dress, also loose. ex+ends to the knee, and
- oelted round the waist; and close at the neck.
1t is juBt MS decent dress as English ladies'
used TO wear when Bath was called 'sThe Bath"
and when wicged gentlemen and powdered
ladies used to wade about IN full trim, and chat
IN the water.
Tbs first step in the process of teaching il to
make the pupit understand how to keep on the
surface. and how to sink to The bottom. Most
people know that to spread out the limbs is to
loat, and to double ones self up il 10 sink; hut
1t is not everybody who knows that the quickest
ADORE the head This is precisely what women
DO when they fa!! out Of u boat. or lind them
selves overheard In shipwreck. Up 20 their
arms in their terror; and down they Ee 10 the
bottom Ike shot. This is the action used By
divers. who want TO rench that point by the
shortest way.
From The ceiling Of the Paris bath hangs
rope, which travels along on sort Of crane.
NhrFn this rope touches the wafer broad belt
is attached to 1t. The belt is fastened easily
about the pupils waist, supporting her in The
water, and leaving her at liberty 70 : I'm the
action ct she limbs IN swimming: She is made
perfect in these, and must then Try her powers
without support. TO render her safe aud pre-.
clude fear, the instructor, (who il = master mud
not q mistress) walks along the edge, Just be-
fore her, holding pole within her reach, ~hich
she can grasp iu an instant if fatgued or alarm
ed. II does not follow that We must have mas
ters in Eoglaud. The art is taught all along tho
rivers Of Germany, and invariably By women
in the women's baths. In that case the dress is
less elaborate, aud there is more freedom and
simplicity in the practice. It is a remarkable
sight when the master is followed by 10 or 20
pgpils, his pole reminding one OF the magnet
wh.ch brings swans or 0shes to tho bread IN
basin Of water, in the old fashioned toy which
estou1shcs children. The second pupil has q
band On tho shoulder Of the first, and ssims
With the other three limbs; the third on the
shoulder OF the second; and 50 On, looking like
q sloal Of ueruaids-
When so thoroughly ut ease to nmuse them
sclres for long time in the water, the ladies
sometimes grow hungry; and then is seen an.
other remarkable sight, not quite so pretty.
They rush from the bath to confecttoner's
slop. which opens upon it, and may be seen
presently swimmiug with one hand, aud with
The other eating their lunch, completely at