The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-03-01
CAPTAIN ROYNToN In ROME.

L Anne Brewster writes from Rome,
January 80, to the New York World:
A few days ago received an envelope
by post. on which was the picture of an
Esqnimaux-looking man, and under it
was printed Capt. Paul Boynton. Insid g
the envelope were tickets to an exhibit
tion he was to give, programme of his
performances, and q card addressed to
me, with the compliments of Capt. Paul
Boynton, New York, United States oil
America, upon it.
On Sunday afternoon drove over to
the Vasca Nalatoria, in which the IA
nous swimmer was to give an exhibit
tion OF his hte-preserver. The Vasca
Natatoria Is am immense tank of A qua
di Trevi outsidepof the Porte del Popoli
1t is quite LITTLE lake in extent, and
has pretty island in the center. The
Romans go there in summer to swim.
The place was crowded.; should think
there were over five hundred persons
present, and the fine liveried carriages
outside showed that ''society's" sons
and daughters were taking interest In
Lhe'galfan5 sWimmers exploits.
The Captain looks, when dressed in
his suit, like one Of Captain Kane's COM
pany attending the discovery of the
North. Pole, His apparatus or habit is in
two pieces separated at the waist; the
upper part covers the head, the lower
The feet; attached to it are little tubes
for initiating the suit with air; these
tubes make him look like figure pre-
pared, for bronze casting. His per-
lormances were extremely interesting:
he; was as, light as an air-ball on the
water; fioated, walked, in short, did as
he pleased; it was like terra tirma TO
him. He floated about with flag fast
ened to his feet, as a signal; he sent off
carrier!pigeonsfan fred lusees.
Then he went to different parts of the
tank and picked up floating bits OF
plank, and nailed raft together upon
which he mounted, waved his flag and
blew athorns :, Then be floated off again,
took a fishing line and went fishing; at
ter a, few moments he drew up a fish,
which, of course was previously fastened
to the lile, but that was notning. After
patching his fish he returned to. the raft
and tooN from his little floating travel
ing-sacque all the articles needed for a
thinner; a little furnace, some pieces OF
charcoal, q bottle OF beer, truit, bread,
cheese, plate ,tumbler, ETC., made fire
In. tue little furnace, cleaned the fish,
put it on to broil, and whileit cooked, he
hneorked his bottle Of beer, drank to our
health, and foated about eating bread
anu CuHeb6s
Then he opened newspaper and
raised an umbrella, which he fastened
to his feet, and read the paper under the
shade OF the umbrella, leaning his head
comfortably on one arm, as if he were
lying on sofa. ins tead of wafer! After
these amusing performances he gave
some Others, which were to show the
usefulness of his apparatus in ship
wrecks, and for the service of pilots and
coast-guards and q variety of other
uses. II was evident, however, that,
Notwithstanding the Captain performed
all hisremarkable exercises with great
deal OF skill and facility, they were, ON
the whole, very exhausung.
The apparatus is a wonderful arrange
ment, and l fancy any one once put into
at would be sure to float; but it certain
ly requires a capable person to manage
it, even one-hundredth part as well as
its inventor dOes. 1 am told that the
Minister OF the Italian Navy intends to
purchase number OF these suits for the
service. The apparatus COSTS from $50
to 400trancs apiece, according to quality
and accessories. The Captain is most
decided American-looking man; he has
a resolute, intense expression OF face,
and has made an excellent impression
in Rome. --r