The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-09-01
Bathing.

The Long Branch (N. j. correspond
ent of the New York Times thus graph
ically describes the two classes Of bather:
who may be found at every seaside re-
sort:
"There are two kinds of batherS in thi:
world-the plungers and the paddlers.
The latter come to the waters edge, and
puts toe in Ugh, how cold.' he elacu
lates and runs backward from wave that
comes washing up the sandy slope. But
he must 90 in; he knows he must he f;ss
his bathing dress on; and besides, he
wants TO. The fascination is Irresistible.
while he shudders over it. So he stoops
down AMI gets hold Of tke protective rope;
and out he goes, slowly, he>itatingly, with
sighs and oh, abs enough to set up a
frs; class lover: and at last the water
reaches his middle. Then he gathers
slow handfuls and sprinkles his head :;
vets his shoulders: shivers: and goes out
another yard Perhaps he retreats at this
juncture, as he sees huge roll of surf
breaking down upon him; but if he docs
he returns eventually. and the breaker
comes again: he doubles himself up and
turns his back to it: it knocks him off his
feet and sou,es him unexpectedly; he
comes forth rubbing his eyes and spouting
Ikea whale, and protesting that that WAS
a-pIioo. phoo.-a regular-phoo"-
ah, there's another-taking him unawares
and >ousing him again. filling his noS;EiI>
and his throat and half choking him TO
death. How anybody with the brains OF
Il @nat conld consent 10 lie paddlcr. |
am at a loss to conceive. i}ut II takes all
Ssrts OF, people to make world.
Now here comes plunger. He has
stepped back Il rod or two from the waters
edge. and with this start lie runs swiftly
down the sands. leaps high in the waters
rs they deepen. and meets the first break
cr bv plungin" into it head foremost and
vanishing from sight For some seconds
he Swim$ about beneath the surface of the
water. and then emergeS. shaking his hair
aside. emptie> his lunrS with one strong,
steady breath opens his eyes, and COM
mence~ in earnest the rollicking revel for
which lie has cngagetl.-Noviccs look Oh
with 4 certain decree of wonder at such
bather H. this there WAS a time when |
did but now am 'ot the brotherhood
They wonder that he docs not >tranglc
they wonder how he can come forth so
calmly. ;lni breathe that lnn- breath so
steadily: they wonder ii he Is not half a
fish. anyhow Bat lie knows that no one
derives truc~i benefit from iathinc. except
his bathing he like ihi> The rigorous
plunge. proceeded by a Short run. is sue
ceedc,l hy an instant Glow that pervadcs
the whole system. and cxhilarates like
champagne without intcxica,in" like IL
But surprising that -low don't come ,
sad n Baltimore gentleman IL me the
other d;.v-am invalid. and therefore a
show of excuse for hcing Il pad'lier Ii
* not 4 suppoSitiou> case: the "l"w sure-
" comes. if you follow the directions on
the label Expand y"nr cilc>t-pound it
"a little. if Won are able 10 endure that
lite-giving exercise: start with every mus
clc i'll play. and run with all your might
anl main; shut voEr eyes. hold your
breath. and 20 under ;i> if Won intended 10
"a 10 China >trai .ht: SWIM about I'LL YOU
l,el the necessity Inr breathing. and then
come 10 ihe surface ana breath u slow.
steady. restrained breath. cXilau>tin- AMI
reiillin- Your lung> 10 their UTMOST capac-
itv- There, open Your eyes: ami ii You
io not feel the promised glow. please Ia
go and give your directions for Your cpl
taph III once lou are Il subject t;or a he
cent inicrmcmt III :, graveyard"