The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-09-06
Evolution of the Bathing Suit.

Evolution of the Bathing Suit.
Interesting as it is to watch the pro.
cesses of evolution, it is unquestionably
the duty of the conscientious observer to
sound the note of alarm when he finds
that evolution in any case is fraught with
disaster. The time has come when the
public should be warned that the evolu-
ton of the bathing dress has reached n
point where it must be permanently
check. d, or else our seaside resorts must
be abandoned by every sensitive man.
Ten years ago the female bathing dress
consisted of a pair of blue flannel
trousers gathered close around the
ankles, long blue flannel gown, pair
of canvass shoes, and the largest and
ugliest straw hat ever invented by an in
sane rag-picker Nothing uglier than
this dress could have been devised, but
it was perfectly safe one. It reduced
all women to the same level Of innocuous
hideousness.
About the year 1875 the first visible
change in the female bathing dress OPP.
peared The trousers ceased to be
gathered ut the ankle. and were made to
reach only about half way below the
knee, while stockings were used to cover
the gap between the trousers and the
shoes. A year later the straw hat began
to be superseded by the oil-cloth cap,
and in the fall of 1877 distinguished
scientific observer met with the first
specimen Of ehort-sleeved flannel
gown.
Since that time evolution has done its
work stea yand rapidly. The flannel
gown grew horter and shorter until it
became a belted blouse, reaching not
quite to the knees. The sleeves became
first rudimentary, and then utterly dis
appeared. The trousers shrank until
they became invisible under the skirt Of
the blouse, and the stocking heightened
inversely as the trousers shrank.
At this point several scientific persons
became alarmed and at least one OF them
publicly expressed his fears, without,
however, receiving any attention. In
1881 these fears were fully justified by
the disappearance of the oil-cloth cap
and the simultaneous discovery OF new
species of bathing dress made of mate
rial lighter than flannel and clinging
closer to the person. Last year the
stocking and shoes began to disappear,
and this summer they have been found
wanting in hundreds of specimens OF
bathing dresses. Thus at present the
female bathing dress is short sleeveless
blouse and a PAIR of invisible trousers.
Only those and nothing more. Is it not
time for prudent men to ask what is to
be the next change which the bathing
dress is to undergo2
1t is already believed that the sleeve
less blouse is to be superseded by o
sleeveless Jersey" This may perhaps
prove little more dangerous than the
present blouse, but whatever the next
change In the bathing dress may be,
there is only too much reason to believe
that il will have the effect of driving all
but the boldest and hardest men from
the beach. Already nothing but devo-
ton to science enables man OF ordinary
courage to study the female bathing
dress With any closeness OF observation,
and though science will never lack devo-
tees ready to win the crown of martyr
dom by going down to the beach urpro-
tected even by colored spectacles, the
prospect that mon will be compelled to
flee from the sea shore to the mountains.
and that excursion steamers with male
passengers will be forced to avoid the
neiQhborhood of beaches "a carefully ss
tney now avoid dangerous reefs, is one
which no sincere philanthropist can con-
template without terror and dismay.
CURING A CRYING CHILD.-Bright
young mothers may not be told how
useful is human surprise in diverting
the attention OF crying child. When
no cries from nervousness or from pain,
it is very good to try this simple meth
cd: II he is able to understand what You
say, ask him, with great impressiveness.
il he knows that tears are salt? Tell the
story OF the little boy who tried TO find
this out for himself while he Was cry