The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-07-24
How to Battle.


pondence:
In the first place the bathing houses are
shanties unfit for ladies' to dress in; and
in the second the exposure to the gaze of
the loungers on the beach is an ordeal
which many ladies' are unwilling to un-
dergo. The poorness of the bathing
dresses on hire and the absence of female
attendants are other reasons why surf
bathing is not very popular. The contrast
with European practices here is so striking
that it is really extraordinary. With the
rapid progress in kindred matters we have
made of late, there is none in this respect.
Half dozen years ago l called attention
to this subject in my letters from here,
and the same cause for criticism still re-
MAINS
At the English watering places the
modesty of the ladies is saved by the use
of the bathing machine into which the
bather enters fully dressed, is driven into
the water, and, out of reach of too close
scrutiny, battles at ease, after having un-
dressed in the machine, In France all ar
rangements relating to bathing are perfect
Bathing houses of all degrees of elegance
are to be had for the hiring, and the beach
is enlivened from end to end by handsome
structures belonging to cottage people.
Not to erect ones own pleasant bathing
house would be considered strange omis-
sion by families living at Biarritz. Etretat
Dieppe or Trouville, and, in fact, persons
living anywhere within five or six miles of
those places put up elegant cottages on
the sands, The bright and graceful ap-
pearance of these structures adds greatly
to the attractiveness Of the beach at a
French watering place. Inside they are
nj hl., 81 L.
fitted up, a small stove being considered
an Indispensable necessity. The causua
lodger at the hotels wishing to battle, finds
however, the following comforts awaits
him: lighthouses of varying convenience
according to price; fine collection of ex
cellent and shapely costumes on hire
male or female attendants, as required
who, Immediately on seeing the bathel
emerge from the sea, place q hot watel
foot-bath and well-warmed towels in hi
bathing house. The precautions taken t
prevent accidents in the water are also ex
cellent and well worth initiating here. Al
many as dozen bdigneurS, or "bathers,
are always in the water at any frequente(
spot, and these men take especial care O
ladies and children, carrying infants il
their arms during the whole length O
their bath, and keeping close watch OF
the movements of every person. that nom
may venture rashly, Boats, too, ply abou
the bathing grounds constantly durinj
bathing hours, and accidental drowning i
almost impossible.
1t seems strange that the irrepressibl
coquetry Of the American woman shoul,
not have niched itself Ito use Nine. de Sc
vigne's expressionl in her bathing costume
Women OF the most marked elegance il
drawing rooms obey the law Of our Ian,
and make the yilest scarecrows of them
selves to 60 into the surf. More bathin
dresses are let out in Long Branch in sin
gle week than are 30 disposed in Who'll
season at all the French resorts combined
Every French lady frequenting les bar
de nlur pays special attention to providing
heaself with uH costume de balm. And thi
outfit is as carefully selected in regard t
its becomingness in color and cut; its f
must be as perfect, its freshness as un
doubted as any dress that madam wears
Some OF these costumes are really charm
ing, and when donned enhance the beaut,
OF elegance of their wearers quite as mucl
as any other. A delicate rose flannel will
knife-pletting of white, hat trimmed in &C
cordance,pink hose, and straw shoes, nav
blue serge with stripes of yellow, greer
an0 brown merinos-these are some of tn,
combinations which dwell in my memory
from last season. Many ladies have sever
oil such costumes--an extravaganza scarce
ly worth Mentioning as the materials o
which such dresses are made are yer,
cheap. But whatever a French LADY,
sea-bathing costume may be-her own ant
three or four OF themin a season, or hireC
from day to day from la baionear-op,
accessory is absolutely indispensable.
mean the long flannel cloak, which it woul,
be to offend the plainest propriety not t,
wear from the moment the bathcr leave
her cabin until she is ready to plunge int
the sea; then the CLOAK is thrown off, I,
be immediately donned again on leavin.
the water. Sometimes the beach is liz er
ally strewn. with these cloaks. Eact
claims her own, and l never heard of ;
misappropriation. To dispense with thes,
cloaks-warm and dry after leaving tia,
sea-and to run along the sands exposed
to the wind in dripping bath-dress woulC
be considered piece Of imprudence in ;
hyglenic sense, and to dress and 40 away
without having first equalized the circula
ton by the use of the hot footbath would
be looked upon as sheer madness only
worthy the barbaritY of American customs
Male aud female attendants keep al but
tons, strings, &C., in perfect order upou
bathers' costumes. and it is considered
necessary to thoroughly wash away in fresl
water every trace OF the sea for the proper
preservation of bathing costumes, 1t il