The Washington herald., 1911-07-23

To an American accustomed to the
democracy Of the Atlantic and Pacific
coast resorts to battle in the surf at any
place abroad is an experience fraught
with many strange and unusual expert
ences.
1t Is not only in the segregation Of the
sexes that bathing in Europe and Amer
lea presents curious contrasts. In many
resorts in England the bathing machine
or wagon that is moved in and out with
the tide Is used. In other resorts the
bath house is simply a tent
Persons who have spent summers on
both sides of the Atlantic assert that, in
the main. the American method of salt
water bathing is far more practical and
satisfactory than that which is practiced
upon the European side of the big water.
Upon the continent the best known
bathing shores are at Ostend, In Bel
gium; Dieppe. Cherbourg. Etretat, Trou-
vile. and Boulogne, in France; Scheven-
ingen, In Holland, and Brighton, Folk
stone, and a number of other places
along the English coast.
One rarely sees at any Of the European
seashore resorts such daring costumes as
are to be found along the American coast.
The intense heat along our coast and the
undisptted reign Of the summer girl in
America have resulted in an independ-
ence Of bathing styles on this side of the
Atlantic that has excelled European ideas
upon the subject Here the use Of light
1annels, cotton goods, linens, and muslins
has advanced far beyond anything
abroad. Upon European seashores the
clothes. as a rule. are heavy and ugly.
Neither do the people Of Continental
Europe enjoy the pleasures Of the surf
with the same avidity as marks the sum-
mer day along the American coast. There
is more or less Of custom or fashion to
dictate to the temporary dwellers along
the seashore.
Confined to Morning Hours.
At most European resorts bathing Is
confined in the morning hours. Visitors
from the Old World who spend the sum-
mer along the Atlantic coast of America
express surprise that midday Is chosen
as the bathing hour here. They claim
that American make too serious busi-
ness Of bathing. The French. for in
stance, look upon bathing as frolic. not
as q regular pastime or daily habit They
regard their frisking in the surf as
something that marks exuberance Of
spirits. just as one would feel impelled
to weak a mask or throw confetti upon
the occasion Of festival.
Unlike Americans, Englishmen prefer to
have their surf bath before breakfast.
They slip out Of their rooms and into
the surf as sort Of duty. and prefer
bun bath. or one without the incum-
brances Of bathing suit, II they can be
permitted to enjoy 1t. With them the
bath even In the breakers Is more of
duty than pastime, as It is with the
French and the Americans.
For years in certain parts Of England
q man venturing upon the grounds set
apart for women at bathing hours would
be liable to arrest. In France mixed
bathing has been permitted to q much
greater extent than In England. AnG
yet in England. as general rule. the
bathing grounds Of the two sexes at any
resort are only short distance from
each other along the beach. and both
are In full view Of the crowds to be
found there every day.
Inconsistencfes in Attire.
Segregation OF bathing. grounds has
naturally led to remarkable Inconsistent
cies IN bathing attire To the American
visitor in England the bathing costumes
for women are apt TO prove rather start
Eng at first sight. Usually they are IN
enc piece, skirts not being considered
necessary A. these outfits are almost
Invariably tight N a. and the matsriais