Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-07-13
BEYOND THE OCEANS WAVE
"PRAIsE THE LORD"

Dear Interior:
Our good friends, the dear GrifIiths,
Of Shacklewell Lane, sent us a grand pack
age Of letters from America, which we have
just read, until the caca:hcs scribendi has
broken out like the measles and we are all
scratching pens at a great rate; but Will,
who has gone out to sea in sailing yacht
instead, to return, il the LORD will, at
O'Clock.
This has been a day OF unique pleasure
for us all. Soon after breakfast, we all
went down to the beach for saltwater
bath. Most your readers know how the
thing is effected. The fact is, that sea-
bathing is as demoralizing as il is delight
full. A plunge in the bracing element, af-
ter a splashing run over the smooth bot
tom, where the water is but few inches
deep, the soft sand giving delicious iitila-
ton 10 the naked feel, with not grave, stone
or other rough thing to wound or bruise;
and then after twenty or thirty yards thro'
the gently heaving surf, to cast ones self
in the abandon Of delight upon the bosom
Of mother ocean (if there be any such ma
ternal relationship in the premises), rolling,
plunging, wallowing, sputtering, gaspiug,
yelling with doubtful ecstacy, until you
find out whether it is really enjoyable or
horrible; who that has known the expert
ence does not recognize the description, in
part, at least? When the FIRST gasping chill
is gone and the water seems less like melt
ed Greenland, there il no doubt Of the re-
ality of the enjoyment. Fifty yards is the
orthodox interval between bathers, male
and female, but that is too little for decen
cy's sake. The men have exactly the full
dress Of the ancient Fejee islander, or a
dweller on the west coast Of Africa, before
trowsers we're introduced. The ladies'
well, | will not describe; for after one hasty
glance taken in innocency and ignorance,
did not make "a covenant with my eyes"
as Job did. That is poor thing and would
have insured a second glance, a third and
so on, ad hbitum; but asked the dear
LORD to take care of my eyes, and Tie did
keep them off in a wonderful war. l only
add that bathing costume if worn on the
street by man or woman wonld at once con-
sign the wearer to the station-house or the
lunatic asylum. But salt water makes all
right, suppose, for no one seems shocked
by it, where all are Gin the same boat. "
The bathing is splendid though. Perfect
privacy in undressing and dressing is Sc
cured blythe close apartments on wheels,
one Of which may be had by each bather.
The slips called "bathing dresses" aud two
good, clean towels are furnished by the
proprietors Of the little shanties on wheels,
and one can paddle or swim as long as they
like for 8 pence. Cheap enough, and We
al had more than our moneys worth this
morning. Fees paid to the very fat lady
Who presides over the dresses and towels
We went to briny-looking party who has
a lot Of boars drawn up on the single, Of
all sizes, for hire. We selected large one,
for We were rather a heavy lOt-the five Of
us, and stipulated for an awning and two
pairs Of oars A pair Of stout sailor look
ing men were required TO JOLT the boat of
through the very shallow water near the
shore; but at last we were successfully
launched with "there you are sir" and
Will and / took the "laboring oar coats
of and old gloves onto spare the euticle
Of our tender hands, all unused TO that
sort Of work for a long while. The wealth.
er wac perfect; the sea asleep under cloud
less sky; gentle wind, enough TO fan the
cheek only; Will and l pulled well togeth-
er; Mama steered; George played with the
ripping water, while Marie read out Of
Longfellow about the "Gitchee Gummee,
Great Sea- Water" OF his hero "IIiawa-
tha." Then we sang Il few hymns and
songs with sea oder about them; then
threaded fleet Of fishing smaoks; then
pulled out several miles until the motion
OF the little boat was decidedly Of sea-
going character; then gathered lot Of
"sea.weed floating Wild" then having dis
tanced all competitors in getting towards
the French coast, we turned shorewards,
pauslng once and again to admire the view
of the noble cliffs Of Hastings and ST. Lee
onard's, with the beautiful and romantic
lay Of the twin cities, climbing their steep
activities. We found a child's wooden
spade far out in the channel with the name
Of Eddie" marked upon it, lie had left
il ON the beach and the tide had bourne
his little treasure out TO sea. We brought
il back and gave il to the first little fellow
We met after landing A gum ball was an.
other wAif picked up this morning, which
We will take 10 London next Monday for
our little boy at 1902 Shacklewell Lane
We were gone two hours and seldom in
life have We passed two pleasanter ones.
The LORD is SO good 10 let US have this
Hastings trip. For years We have visited
watering places, out Of season, until We re-
marked il again and again. Did our evan
gel bring us 10 Springs" OF great resort
Ii was in the dead Of winter, always, with