The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-16
VA BATHS IN ITALY.
SUsE MADE OF THE BLUE WATERS OF
THE MEDITERRANEAN.


es--1nteresting Features.
Those who have been fortunate enough
to glide from Italy's picturesque shores
into tho warm blue waters Of the Medi-
terranean and float luxuriously i'll the
salty sea among perfect school of hap
by bathers will never forget it. Never!
Venice. Naples, Capri, Amalfi! 1t makes
ones eyes glisten at the very thought of
it. To Italy's splendid title, "The Land
of Poetry and Song" might also be add
ed 'The Land of Baths" were it not that
the second name to some fastidious
minds would detract from the beauty of
the first.
The ancient Romans, borrowing as
they did all the worthily imitable Gus
toms from their Greek and Egyptian
neighbors, found the baths especially
suited to their luxurious tastes and car
ried them to Il degree of excellence which
had never been attained, making them
not only of immense benefit in sani-
tary way, but establishing them as
favorite rendezvous for people of culture
and talent as well as for the poorer class
es, who also enjoyed the privilege Of
their own compartments Look at the
baths of Diocletian, which are estimated
to have accommodated no less than 49,
600 people at one time. And those of
Caracallar at Rome. What wonderful
ruins of n still more wonderful struc-
ture! In these walls bathing became a
science Cold baths, tepid baths, hot
baths, oil baths, sun baths-every kind
of bath! Why simply to visit the place
was rest and recreation. Statuary and
paintings lent beauty on all sides. Music
charmed. Orators and poets entertained
What beauty in the remaining walls of
the Pompeiian baths The frescoes are
as bright and beautiful as if they were
done but yesterday. and the marble
carvings and pavements which escaped
the fury OF the burning mountain have
softened i'll color almost to an ivory.
Then the baths of Nero. Around the
coast on the charming picturesque road
leading from PoZzuoli to Baip ono
alights from the little carozzella and
chambers up to Il cave cut in the side of
the mountain, wherein is a spring heated
to high temperature in its subterra-
mean channels by veins of volcanic life
which abound near Vesuvius. This spot
suited we'll the comfort loving Nero.
who made of it favorite resort and
caused the rough stone couches to be
placed there, which still remain.
One reads little of sea bathing in those
days. Every Roman colony thought to
construct its baths as it thought of rails
ing its temples. But now all Italy turns
its face to its natural advantages, and
with one accord cries as early as Nav,
Let us to the seal Not all the estab-
lishments are as convenient and as we'll
constructed as the Lido at Venice and
those of Posilipo at Naples. but they are
all on the same general plan. Every
place open to the use of the public is pro-
vided with a pavilion where people con
gregate to discuss the latest topics. or To
devour with eager ears the latest gossip,
while there is always music, from morn
ing till night, if only one of those harass-
ing 'organettes" or portable pianos.
which grind necessarily and seem al
ways to be playing Santa Lucia" OF
bella Napoli" and vary sometimes with
the "Trovatore"
On either side of the pavilion are the
"camerini," or dressing rooms-one side
reserved for ladies, the other for gentle
men. These ''camerini" are the rough
est kind of little wooden boxes, carpeted
with Il mat of braided straw and fur
nished with four rude chairs for the
four persons each is supposed to accom-
MEDIATE. Then there are the steps lead
ing to tho water. The fee for the use of
each room is one franc fifty TOR 30 cents.
\ including the linen sheets, the price
sAnever varying whether there be one o.,
four persons together.
Once III the water and presto! change.
all the reserved etiquette of the italian
drawing room vanishes Then and then
only does liberty exist, and the pretty
little siSnorinas, as well as the handsome
signoras, in the very simplest kind of
bathing costume, generally dark blue
with Il little white braid, transformed
into veritable water nymphs, swim OF
with all the grace and alacrity of IL fish
never fearing. never firing. just as if
they had been born to it, And there is
no end to romance. Fancy boat full
of handsome young officers towing IL trail
OF pretty bright eyed girls to some quiet
picturesque spot, where all indulge in a
jolly little luncheon 1t doesn't seem so
very much. does it? And yet one recalls
that these same young officers may never
have dared address the young ladies on
land or if they have had the good for
tnno to do so it was only under the
watchful eye Of the omniprescnt claper-
On, then we realize what it really means
Then there are the quictcr places, like
the placid blue waters of Sorrento, away
down under the high walls of rock,
where one may float and gaze up at the