The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-04
Indeecncy at the Seaside.


For years past the Observer has seadfaly
sured the ndecency which the conduct Of
period of the year 1t have been hoped that the
numerous complaints made through the medium Of the
press would have taught quasi ladies and gentlemen
better In some localities the authorities have
endeavored to keep the visitors within the limits Of pro-
priety but a. rule, deaf ear has been turned TO all
and the scenes now daily witnessed are a.
bad az ever. This 10 very extraordinary. Il the
boast Of Englishmen that we more moral people
than any other The Court Of Divorce has, however,
sad number Of exceptions stili under ordinary cir
cumstanccs English ladies and gentlemen apparently
keep within the limits Of proprety. Not 30, however
at watering places In these places sooner do they
arrivc than they seem 70 give up their decorum with
their railway or boat ticket, and 70 adopt prac-
s sss n'S 10 r. hone hs would Do xS
considered ungallant, but the truth compels US
to confess that ut bathing places the ladies worse than
the gentlemen; they set the example, and It is there
fore, not surprising II gentlemen follow IT, Why II
should be cannot imagine Parents a. q rule, are
their and Of the
ances they make. Married ladies' a. homo are models Of
proprety and Get their children excellent examples At
the seaside in some cases. their very natures seem to
change and they appear to vie with their daughters
TO who shall most exceed tho bounds Of proprety.
Take for instance the case Of AaIgate This fayorte
and soon scarcely lodging will be vacant There,
bushngly, ladies and gentlemen battle almost indis-
mems bathing machines and the ladies' is moro in i'm
aginaton than reality. The men gambo in the water
nearly in natures garb and the ladies' although they
bathing dresses conduct themselves they felt
these dresses TO be ncumbance Ladies' 1t all events
outwardy do not seem To consider that they outrage
opera glasses, the antics Of nude gentlemen We are
not prudiss and do not profess 10 be more moral than
other people, but we must confess that We cannot help
our countrywomen. Would any lady have the
hardheod 70 60 into Hyde Park, either in the
mernng or evening when men and boys are bathing in
gasscsS We do not believe that any lady, with any pre-
tensions TO character would dream Of misconductng
herself How is IT, then, lady, modest and retiring In
London, becomes brazen and bold at Margate2 II is
enigma which we confess we cannot solve, but
the facts patent TO all who will not wilfully close
their eyes TO the that going around
them But there arises this question also, are the
ladies' and gentlemen only In fault We think not
The local authorities have much to answer Tor IN this
respect Families visit watering places during the hot
for the purpose OF bathing and they must either
adopt the facilities afforded for bathing, or forego the
luxury altogether The local authorities we are ready
to admit cannot make ladies gentlemen moral or
modest but they and ought TO arrange the bathing
so that really modest woman should not be compelled
have her Of proprety shocked Surely at Mar
gate there Is plenty Of space Of certain times Of the tide
where all parties might enjoy the luxury Of sea BATH
rules Of decency to be upheld Again, why should not
the local authorities insist that men should wear while
In the water, kind Of slight clothng2 II Ia in
varaby the rule In France and the continent gene
rally; why not, then, adopt IL herc3 The local authori
ties may, perhaps, say that they have not the power
10 lay down such regulations, or, what is more to
the purpose, could not enforce them. We very
much doubt the alleged fact that they have not
the power We believe that the present laws are
sufficient for the purpose that the local authorities,
II they had the inclination, could soon bring about re-
form in these matters And II their local acts are
insufficient, let them go TO Parliament and get them
amended. The House Of Commons would only be too
glad to have opportunity Of lending their aid TO put
down practices which would not be tolerated In any
petty town on the continent But we are very much
afraid that the authorities blind 70 their interests
We satisfied that II II known that strict
rules TO decency regards bathing were enforced
vigorously ut Margate, the place would become much
popular than It rs at present II might not
be fuller BECAUSE under present circumstances at
this OF the year is always full but the class OF
visitors would be Of select character than has
hitherto been the case.