Idaho semi-weekly world., 1893-11-21
SEA BATHS IN ITALY.
USE MADE OF THE BLUE WATERS or
THE MEDITERRANEAN.


Exhiiarating Plunses In Natures Great
Lavatory--1n the Water All the Reserved |
Etiquetts Of the Drawing Room Vanish
es-Interesting Features.
Those who have been fortunate enough |
to glide from Italy's picturesque shores
into the warm blue waters of the Med:-
terranean and float luxuriously in the
salty sea among perfect school of hap
py bathers will never forget it. Neveri
Venice. Naples, Capri, Amalfil 1t makes
ones eyes glisten at the very thought Of
1t. 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
risd them to 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,
900 people at one time. And those OF
Caracallar at Rome. What wonderful
ruins of still more wonderful struc-
ture! In these walls bathing became q
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 in color almost to an ivory.
Then the baths of Nero. Around the
coast on the charming picturesque road
leading from Pozzuoh to BaiB one
alights from the little carozzella and
chambers up to 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 well the comfort loving Nero
who made Of it favorite resort ant
caused the rough stone couches to bt
placed there, which still remain.
One reads little of sea bathing in thost
days. Every Roman colony thought tt
construct its baths as it thought of rails
ing its temples. But now all Italy turns
its face to its natural advantages, ant
with one accord cries as early as May
"Let us to the sear' Not all the estab
lishments are as convenient and as wei
constructed as the Lido at Venice ant
those of Posilipo at Naples. but they ar
all on the same general plan. Ever,
place open to the use of the public is pro
vided with pavilion where people con
gregate to discuss the latest topics, or t.
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 0
Bella Napoli" and vary sometimes wit
the "Trovatore."
On either side of the pavilion are tn
II "camerini,' or dressing roons-one sid
q reserved for ladies. the other for gentle
men. These "camerini" are the rough
est kind of little wooden boxes, carpete
with a mat of braided straw and ful
n nished with four rude chairs for th
e four persons each is supposed to accom-
l. modate. Then there are the steps leat
q ing to the water The fee for the use
u each room is one franc fifty Tor so cents
> including the linen sheets, the prio
never varying whether there be one c
1t four persons together.
< Once in the water and presto! chang,
% all the reserved etiquette of the Italia
l drawing room vanishes. Then and the
IS only does liberty exist, and the prett
little signorinas. as well as the handson
signoras, in the very simplest kind {
bathing costume, generally dark blu
/, with a little white braid. transforme
lie into veritable water nymphs, swim o
with all the grace and alacrity of fisl
% never fearing, never firing, just as
50 they had been born to it. And there
81 no end to romance. Fancy boat fu
of handsome young officers towing ira
of pretty, bright eyed girls to some quie
III picturesque spot, where all indulge in
ly jolly little luncheon. 1t doesn't seem s
very much. does it? And yet one recall
IS. that these same young officers may new,
te have dared address the young ladies c
"a land, or if they have had the good 70
tune to do so it was only under Il
watchful eye of the omnipresent chape
IL on, then we realize what it really mean
~ Then there are the quieter places, lii
the placid blue waters of Sorrento, ava
st down under the high walls of roc
where one may float and gaze up at Il
ed beautiful villas and fragrant orans
gardens. Aud Capri, where the wonde
full blue grotto is free to all who CO
swim there, while the hurried travel
W inevitably falls a victim to the mercile
- boatmen who shake their hands i'll one
face and demand "la tariffa,' whi(
ur never fails to exceed the fee regular
established.
Yes, the sea is ia blessing to the Italian
open to all and appreciated as well
vo poor as by rich. Indeed one finds hir
self wondering what would become
ie the lower classes-take the Neapolitan
VI for instance-if it were not for this wi