Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-04-20

A Singular Bathing Scene.
The baths at Leukerbad, in Switzer-
land, are among the real curiosities of
the country. A traveller describes them
Let us take day in the water It is
half-past in the morning, and bell is
clamoring forth as if it enjoyed the joke
Lady and gentlemen bathers," it says
to those who know how to interpret the
accents which fall from it's iron tongue.
Lady and gentleman bathers, it is time
for you to bestir yourselves!' and ac-
cordingly, yawning and stretching, those
who are trying the water cure rouse
themselves and get out of bed prepare
tory to the bath.
| A knock at the door and simultaneous
entrance of the waiter. "Will monsieur
take coffee or chocolate this morning?"
Monsieur will take coffee, and presently
it is brought to him in his room, to-
gether with small roll, with which he
refreshes himself while dressing. This
| latter operation, however, does not take
much time; long serge gown covers
monsieur from his neck to his ankles, a
small cap, more or less jaunty, according
to the dandyism of the wearer, covers
his head, and a pair of slippers his feet;
this done, monsieur is fully equipped for
his morning bath; and after q matutinal
cigarette Cf not forbidden by the DOCTOR
he sallies forth from his hotel for the hot
springs. 1t is true there are dressing
rooms attached to the bathing establish
ment; but as it is only situated few
yards from the door of the hotel, mon
sieur-ay, madame and madamoiselle
also-usually prefers to cross the road in
his bathing costume to the trouble of
dressing and undressing.
The baths, of which there are several
in the village, are, with the exception of
one dismal stone building, little better
! than wooden sheds, having high-pointed
roofs, with lantern or belfry at the top,
which admits light to those soaking
within. Viewed externally they resem-
| BILE cow-sheds; internally, it is quite i'm
possible to iken them to anything. On
| first entering the sudden change from
| brilliant sunlight to comparative dark
ness prevents visitors for some moments
from discerning anything; but on their
ewes becoming more accustomed to the
light they find themselves in tolerably
spacious chamber, entirely filled with
water, but crossed by little bridge a
| few inches above the surface. There are
rows of small doors on each side which
communicate with the dressing rooms;
and from which, about an hour after the
bell has sounded, come tripping the
ladies and gentlemen, clothed as already
described, for their morning bath. They
descend a few steps and then quietly
take their seats on benches placed be-
meath the water, which in this attitude
reaches to their chins, and settle them
selves comfortably for their mornings
stew. The temperature is very high, the
hot springs, on leaving the soil attaining
temperature of 120 degrees; it is almost
needless to say that the water is some
what cooled before being used.
AS those using the baths for the bene-
fit of their health are forced to spend
their entire morning up to their chins in
water, everything is done to render the
four hours as little irksome as possible.
In the centre of each of the compart-
ments, for the bridge divides the bath,
rises gaily -ornamented vase filled with
flowers, while before each bather float
small trays on which are placed coffee.
newspapers, novels, chess boards, or
whatever may be chosen by the invalids
to help them to while away the time
Flirtations, and various games and dis
cussions are eagerly carried on the water,
though with regard to che latter, relig-
ious controversy is especially forbidden
by the regulations; and while on this
subject it may be mentioned that strin-
gent rules for the proper preservation of
decorum are Vigorously enforced. While
messieurs and mesdames are in the bath
their friends, both male and female, who
are not themselves trying the hot-water
cure throng the bridge, and keep up a
| lively conversation with their immersed
acquaintance, and merry peals of laugh
ter continually resound through the
building; occasionally tourist whose
curiosity has been inhamed by guide
books, enters timorously and stares
around him in blank amazement; and
well he may, for the sight of some score
of heads, some grizzled and wrinkled,
others bright and pretty, emerging from
hot water, and without any visible bod
les to support them, is certainly we'll
calculated to astonish those who view it
for the first time.
Of late years there is more etiquette
and style at Leukerbad, and the bathing
lis conducted in more retired manner.