The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-07-19
SEA BATHS In ITALY.
USE MADE OF THE BLUE WATERS OF
THE MEDITERRANEAN.


es-Interesting Features.
Those who have been fortunate enough
TO glide from Italy's picturesque shores
into the warm blue waters of the Medi-
terranean and float 1uxuriously in the
salty sea among perfect school of hap
py bathers will never forget it, Neverl
Venice, Naples, Capri, Amalfil It makes
ones eyes glisten at the very thought of
IT, To 1taly's splendid title, 1.-The Land
Of Poetry and Song" might also he 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 degree of excellence which
had never been attained, making them
not only of immense benefit in sani-
tary way, but establishing them as a
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 Mt 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 bathl 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
lone 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 Pozzuoli to Baie one
alights from the little carozzella and
chambers up to cave cut in the side of
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 and
caused the rough stone couches to be
placed there, which still remain.
One reads little of sea bathing in those
lays. Every Roman colony thought to
construct its baths as 1t thought of rails
Ing its temples. But now all Italy turns
is face to its natural advantages, and
with one accord cries as early as Nav,
Let us to the seaw Not all the estab-
ishments are as convenient and as well
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-
gided with pavilion where people con-
yregate to discuss the latest topics, or to
aevour with eager ears the latest gossip,
while there is always music, from morn
ng till night, if only one of those harass-
ng "organettes" or portable pianos,
which grind necessarily and seem al
ways to be playing Santa Lucia" or
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
sst kind Of little wooden boxes, carpeted
with mat of braided straw and fur
aished with four rude chairs for the
four persons each is supposed to accom-
nodate. Then there are the steps lead
ng to the water. The fee for the use of
zach room is one franc fifty Tor 80 cents),
including the linen sheets, the price
lever varying whether there be one or
our persons together.
Once in the water and presto! change!
al the reserved etiquette of the Italian
lrawing room vanishes. Then and then
,nly does liberty exist, and the pretty
little signorinas, as well as the handsome
dgnoras, in the very simplest kind of
bathing costume, generally dark blue
With a little white braid, transformed
nto yeritable water nymphs, swim off
With all the grace and alacrity of fish,
never fearing, never tiring, just as if
hey had been born to it. And there is
40 end to romance. Fancy a boat full
f handsome young officers towing trail
IT pretty, bright eyed girls to some quiet,
picturesque spot, where all indulge in
oily little luncheon. 1t doesn't seem so
,ery much, does it? And yet one recalls
hat these same young officers may never
ave dared address the young ladies on
and, or If they have had the good for
une to do SO it was only under the
vatchful eye of the omnipresent chaper-
IN, then we realize what it really means.
Then there are the quieter places, like
he placid blue waters of Sorrento, away
iown under the high walls of rock,
where one may float and gaze up at the
beautiful villas and fragrant orange
lardens. And Capri, where the wonder
nl blue grotto is free to all who can
win there, while the hurried traveller
Inevitably falls victim to the merciless
,oatmen who shake their hands in ones
ace and demand ''la tariffa.n which