Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1860-05-24

to fresh water must be particularly careful when
they go into the sea, the water of which is very
nauseous.
Plunging or Diring.-In leaping into the
water, feet FIRST which is done from rocks. brdg-
es, and even from the yards and masts of lofty
vessels the feet must be kept close together, and
the arms either held close to the side or over the
head. In diving head-foremost, the hands must
be put together, SO as to divide the water before
the head. The hands are also in proper posi-
ton for striking-out
1t is wonderful how easy the swimmer directs
his course under water. Ifhe wishes to 60 down
or come up, or swim to the right or left, he has
but to bend his head and body in that direction,
and, after little use, he will do this almost un-
consciously, as if>his movements were the result
of volition alone.
In descending in the water, bend the head so
as to bring the chin near the breast, and curve
the back in the same direction in ascending,
hold back the head and hollow the back In
swimming over the surface, look up to the sky;
it is quite impossible to dive beneath the surface
in this position.
S,cinsming IN Deep Water.-In the swimming
schools of Prussia, the pupils are taught in deep
water, sustained by belt and rope attached
to pole, which the teacher holds as lever
over railing. The motions of the arms, then
of the legs, and then both together are practised
by word of command, like military exercises.
The support is given as required After few
lessons the pole is dispensed with, then the rope;
but the pupil is still kept, until proficient, with
in reach of the pole. This mode of learning to
swim is like that practsed in teaching boys to
ride in the circus. A rope, fastened to a belt,
passes through ring in the saddle, and the end
is held by the ridng-master in the centre of the
ring. If the boy falls, his teacher has only to
draw upon the rope, and he is secure from dan
ger, and ready to spring to his feet again.
Those who are learning to swim in shallow
water, and without teacher, may find an ad-
vantage in the following method When the
learner has acquired some facility in swimming
and wishes to try to swim out of his depth, he
should first venture to cross stream which may
be foot or two overhead in the middle He
must not be alarmed at not feeling around un-
der his feet, or make quick and short strokes,
and breathe at the wrong time, SO that he in
voluntarily swallows waterfall which mishaps
of course, increase the hurry and agitation, and
make it difficult for him to get back to shore.
Learners should, therefore, never venture out #
their depth without having first practised such
distances only as they are certain they can ac-
complish; for, if they can swim eight or ten
yards without allowing their feet to touch the
AssR stEss@ af qn!y hsf t5at yash and g ent
thus progressively attain presence of mind, and
find that the deeper the water the greater is its
sustaining power, and the easier they will be
enabled to swim in it.
1reading W1ter-This is favorite position
in the water, and useful as means of resting
in swimming long distances. The position is
perpendicular; the hands are placed upon the
o1< fof ID koo l>,1o
ing the body, being moved, like fins, at the wrist
only the feet are pushed down alternately, so
as to support the head above water, and the
body may be raised in this way to consider
able extent. While in this position, if the head
be thrown back SO as to bring the nose and
mouth uppermost, and the chest somewhat in-
fated, the swimmer may sink till his head is
nearly covered, and remain for any length of
time in this position without motion, taking care
to breathe very slowly.
Upright Ssoinamaing-Systen of Bernardo
Bernardo, an Italian teacher of swimming, who
has written treatise upon the subject warmly
recommends the upright position in swimming
as being in conformity with the accustomed
o. the limbs, from the freedom of
the hands and arms, greater facility of breath
ing, and less risk Of being caught hold of by
persons struggling in the water.
Though this method can never suppersede
that taught by Nature and the frog, her best
professor, it may be practised for variety's sake.
The great difficulty is in keeping the head pro-
perly balanced, for whichever way it incnes
over goes the body.
Side SWiming.-In swimming on either side,
the motions Of the legs have no alteration, but
are performed as usual To swim on the left
side, lower that side, which is done with the
slightest effort, and requires no instruction;
then strike forward with the left hand and side
ways with the right, keeping the back of the lat
ter to the 'front.' with the thumb side downward,
so as to act as an oar. In turning on the other
side, strike out with the right hand, and use the
left for an oar. To swim on each side alternate
ly, stretch out the lower arm. the instant that
strike is made by the feet, and strike with the
other arm on level with the head at the instant
that the feet are urging the swimmer forward
and while the upper hand is carried forward
and the feet are contracted, the lower band
must be drawn toward the body. This method
is full of variety, and capable of great rapidity,
but it is also very fatiguing.
Thrusting-This is beautiful variety, of
this exercise, and much used by accomplished
swimmers. The legs and feet are worked as in
ordinary swimming, but the hands and arms
very differently. One arn,-say the right
should be lifted wholly out of the water, thrust
forward to it's utmost reaching and then drop
ped upon the water with the hand followed,
and then brought back by powerful move
ment, pulling the water toward the opposite
armpit At the same time, the body must be
sustained and steadied by the left hand working
in small circle, and as the right arm comes
back from it's far reach to the armpit the left is
carrying in an easy sweep from the breast to
the hip. The left arm is thrust forward alter
natey with the right, and by these varied move
ments great rapidity is combined with much
ease.
Swimming on the Back.-This is the easiest
of all modes of swimming, because in this way
a larger portion of the body is supported by the
water. 1t is very useful to ease the swimmer
from the greater exertion Of more rapid methods,
and especially when a long continuance in deep
water is unavoidable. The swimmer can turn
easily to this position, or if learning, he has but
to incline slowly backward, keeping his head
on line with his body and letting his ears sink
below the surface; then placing his hands upon
his hips, he can push himself along with his