The New York herald., 1871-09-07
MIM1cK1na MERMA1Ds.

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Exhibition Rnd Contest at tho FREQ swimmins
Bath-Old and YsumG Ladies' CompetiRG for
Prises-An Array Of Beauties Unadsrned-
Fun, Health and Recreat -Presoatatiss
70 the Lady Ruperintsudsnt.
The nee bathing house at the foot OF Fifth street.
East River, was yesterday afternoon the scene OF Q
very pleasant reunion OF frequenters OF the place.
all OF whom are friends OF the Insructress In swim.
ming. Miss Kate Bennett The young ladies' who
participated In the exhibition were all remarka able
a. favored children Of nature for each OF them pos.
sessed some charming feature which was pleasant
to look upon. Notwithstanding all that
THE ART OF "PIxING''
lends to he attractions OF the fairer SEX those OF
them who are healthy and fond OF exercise appear
Or at least, did appear yesterday to better advan-
tage In the simple robes OF the swimmer than In
moro elaborate toilets. So many visitors aud
friends 0fth fair contestants attended the display
that 1t was with the greatest difficulty standing
room was to be had even the roof OF the shed sur
rounding the bath being crowded with persons. It
was ct lrst strictly prohibited to allow gentlemen
within
THE sACRRD PRECINCTS,
but members OF the press. with talismanto cfieot
had their application granted. and were thus
favored In being Witnesses. With great anxiety the
opening race was awaited and all eyes around the
bath eagerly scanned the three ladies, who were
standing the ladder leading to the bath ready for
the signal to start, when Inc signal was given the
three orms plunged into the water and with terri.
BILE effort made for the opposite side Of the BATH
distance OF eighty feet. each eagerly striving for the
lead and with fierce anxiety watching her sisters.
Then three more started. and after these another
three until In less than half an hour thirteen races
had been swan and won, amid the cheers ana
tta nF fta1c bo- rnp
GRAND PLUNGE
by about nifty ladies' all getting into the water in
scramble and as best they could, and making the
arena ring with their merry voices and pleasant
laughter. Thus ended the formal races; and now
all the girls, veteran mammas and maiden aunts
dOnned their regalla which consisted OF jackets and
pantal0Ons, some OF one color and some OF another
and took part In the carnival, which at this time
was excessively merry.
THE GRAND FEATURE OF THR DAY
came or next. 1t was the presentation to Miss
Kate Bennett Of handsome gold watch and chain
ana a acs gs6 On rings Ing The o
caused the greatest interest among the crowd. The
gold watch was presented to Miss Bennett by Miss
q very neat g. eecn. Then Miss Clara Bacnarach,
lovely girl about twelve years old. with another
Mss Dora stem and Miss Bertha END Emden. % TWO hand
some children each gave gold ring, after which
In few well chosen words. The company was
then invited to partake OF some refreshments after
which Mrs. Stein made some complimentary re-
marks upon tho care and attention shown by MISS
Bennett to the children during the season. Wnen
this was oil over Miss Kate Bennett, Miss KaIe
Grant. OF the Charles street BATH and another lady
gave al exhibition OF their
SKILL AS SWIMMERS
which was really fine. MISS Bennett jumped into
the bath nom the roof Of the shed, and being then
joined by the other ladies' went through series Of
movements with q grace, courage and skill that
charmed everybody present
The following named ladies' were the
WINNERS OF THE RACES
at the opening:-NrS. Lederer; Ms. EmdeD, Mrs.
Libenheim, Mrs. Leopold, Mrs. stem, Mrs. Cohen,
Mrs. Klein, Miss Kein Miss Lille Lederer Miss Dora
Stein, Miss Bertha Emden Miss Kittie Mccormack
and Mrs. Meisenhider. The average time IN making
the goal was eleven seconds; the best time made
was nine seconds. The youngest lady who entered
the contests WAS only nine years OF age the eldest
perhaps was rNc 'o
THE MOrHRR OF NINE CHILDREN.
There were in all about $50 ladies' in bathing suits,
presenting choice variety OF every style OF form.
figure and beauty. AT an early stage OF the
proceedings JOhn A. Whalen, Superintendent
OF the Fifth street the Charles street baths,
upon the scene, and with unnecessary exercise Or
authority, to great extent
MARRIED THE PLEASURE
OF the occasion TO many spectators, whom he
elected. An exhibition OF this sort gotten up by
the mothers OF children who had been all summer
enjoying the benefits OF tho bath, and intended
solely to show their appreciation OF an estimable
lady, who recently with great danger to herself
saved the life Of q drowning child. could possibly
hurt nobody and 80 1t was generally felt by those
nreqpnt.