The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1893-09-20

ANAeIeetihS rtatuFeSs
Those who have been fortunate enough
70 glide from [taly's picturesque shore.
into the warm blue waters of the Medi
%terranean and float lu%xuriously in the
salty sea among a perfect school Of hap
py bathers will never forget it. Never
Venice. Naples. Capri. Amali! 1t makes
ones eyes glisten at the very thought OF
it. To Italy's splendid title. THE Land
OF Poetry and Song" might also he add.
ed The Land of Baths were it not tina,
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
RED them to q degree of excellence which
had never been attained. making them
not only of immense benefit in a sani-
tary way, but establishing them as a
tavorite 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 ave accommodated no less than 49,.
OOO people at n time. And those of
Caracallar at Rome. What wonderful
ruins of a 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 a rest and recreation. etatuary and
paintings lent beauty on all sides. Music
charmed. Orators and poets entertained.
What beauty in the remaining walls of
the Pompeiian baths! The f~rescoes 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 Pozzuoli to Baie ole
alights from the little carozzella and
up to IA cav cut in the side of
the mountain. wherein is spring heated |
to a high temperature in its subterr.. |
mean channels by veins of volcanic life |
which abound near Vesuvius. This s7ynt |
suited well the comfort loving Nn
who made Ut it a favorite resor, nd
the rough stone couches - ss
placed there, which still remain.
One reads little of sea bathing in those
days. Every Roman colony thought TO
its baths as it thought of rails
ng Its temples. But now all Italy turns
is face to its natural advantages, and
one accord cries as early as MAY.
Let us 10 the seal" Not all the estab-
are as convenient and as well
constructed as the Lido at Venice and
hose OF Posilipo at Naples. but they are
VI on the same general plan. Every
lace open to the use of the public is pro-
1ded with a pavilion where people con.
'regate to discuss the latest topics. or 10
levour 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
rays to be playing Santa Lucia or
Bella Napoli" and vary sometimes with,
he ..Trovatore."
On either side Of the pavill,n are the
camerlni.' or dressing rooms-one side
eserved for ladies. the other for gentle.
len. These .'camerini' are the rough.
st kind OF little wooden boxes, carpeted
nth a mat OF braided straw and fur.
lshed with four rude chairs for the
)ur persons each Is supposed to accom-
lodate. Then there are the steps Lead
q to the water. The fee for the use of
room is n franc fifty Tor 80 cents,.
'cluding the linen sheets, the price
ever varying whether there be one or
'ur persons together.
Once in the water and presto! changed
! the reserved etiquette of the Italian
'awing room vanishes. Then and then
NY does liberty exist, and the pretty
tie signorinas. as we'll as the handsomeI
snoras. in the very simplest kind of ,
thing costume, generally dark blue :
lth a little white braid, transformed !
ver1table water nymphs. swim off 7
tn all the grace and alacrity of a fish, :;
yer fearing, never firing, just as if
ey had been born to it. And there is
n to romance. Fancy a boat full
handsome young officers towing a trail
pretty. bright eyed girls to some quiet,
;turesque spot, where all indulge in a
ly little luncheon. 1t doesn't seem so
~ much. does it? And yet one recalls
these same young officers may never
We dared address the young ladies' on
I'd, or if they have had the good for.
to do SO it was only under the
tchful eye of the omnipresent chaper. :
h we realize what it really means :
Then there are the quieter places, like .
placid blue waters of Sorrento, away e
vn under the high walls of rock, Z
ere one may float and gaze up at the =
lutiful villas and fragrant orange =
dens. And Capri, where the wonder 8
blue grotto is free to all who can y
m there, while the hurried traveller (,
falls a victim to the merciless y
who shake their hands in ones >.
e and demand ia tarifa." which =
er fails to exceed the fee regularly 4