A
DESCRIPTION

OF

THE OXFORD BATHS,

AND

SCHOOL OF NATATION.

ILLUSTRATED WITH FOUR LITHOGRAPHIC PLATES,

BY N. WHITTOCK.

OXFORD:
PRINTED FOR A. H. RICHARDSON, THE PROPRIETOR OF THE BATHS;
AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS.

OXFORD BATHS

Entrance from High Street

WHITTOCK LIBRARY

A
DESCRIPTION

OF

THE OXFORD BATHS,

AND

SCHOOL OF NATATION.

BY N. WHITTOCK.

A

OXFORD is so beautifully situated on the banks of the Isis and the Cherwell, that aquatic amusements have always been the favourite recreation of the residents in this seat of learning; and it has long been a subject of regret, that such invigorating exercises should be attended with inconvenience and danger, to persons who have not acquired the art of swimming. It was to prevent a recurrence of fatal accidents, and to encourage the exhilarating pleasures of bathing, which are in a great measure prevented by the publicity of the walks near the rivers, that first suggested the idea of this establishment.

On the most minute research, it was found that to render such an undertaking generally useful, it should be in the first place situated a short distance from Oxford, so that the swimming pupil or bather should have gentle exercise by walking both before and after his immersion.

4

Secondly, that the basin for the swimming school should be constructed of various depths, that the pupil might acquire confidence in deep water, and at the same time feel assured that the slightest exertion would enable him to stand with his head above the surface.

Thirdly, that the baths should communicate with the basins, and yet remain private; by which means the bather should have all the advantage of the great body of water, without being seen by the swimmers in the basin.

Fourthly, that there should be a continual supply of fresh water running through the basin.

On these arrangements, the proprietor has acted in the completion of the Oxford Baths, and Swimming School; how far they have been carried into effect, will be seen by the description of the plates.

The proprietor of the baths cannot omit this early opportunity of expressing his grateful thanks to the numerous subscribers, who, in addition to their patronage and support, have been pleased to express their unqualified approbation of the whole arrangements of this establishment.

## PLATE I.

Is a view of the Swimming School. The basin is of an oval shape, eighty-three feet long, and forty-four feet wide; the bottom and sides are lined with Bath stone, surmounted with an elegant coping; the basin contains 129,000 gallons of water. From the centre of the basin springs a pillar fourteen feet high, on which are placed dolphins, from which descends a

PLATE I.

It is a view of the Swimming School. The basin is of an oval shape, eighty-three feet long, and forty-four feet wide; the bottom and sides are lined with Bath stone, surrounded with an elegant coping; the basin contains 120,000 gallons of water. From the centre of the basin springs a pillar fourteen feet high, on which are placed dolphins, from which demands a

OXFORD BATHS
Swimming School.

F. J. Penninghildreth.

OXFORD BATHS
View from the Clarendon

Tobacco Field Ark

continuous supply of water. One of the principal features of the building is a large square well, which serves to mark the distance learners may approach with ease to the water gradually deepens to seven feet six inches. The walls of the basin are two recesses or baths, covered by elegant arcades, the view of the swimmers in the basin, by a drapery of scarlet cloth, eighteen in number, are situated round these recesses; the depth of the water is from four feet six inches, and is used as a plunging bath. At the lower end of the basin, to the left of the well, is seen the front of the building, which is fifty-two feet long, and several feet high, and is surrounded by a parapet. The circular tower, which is seen above the arcades, contains a small chamber, which the fountain in the centre of the basin is supplied from. The water is supplied from the well by means of a pump, which is completely concealed from entrance observation.

PLATE II.

Is the building seen from the approaches of the Clarendon. At the edge of the river is the water-gate, which is composed of two stone gates, each of three steps. This entrance is built with free stone, and the terraces are steps. On the terrace is the reading room, the library, and eighteen other offices. The light is admitted by three handsome windows, each of three lights, and eighteen feet high. The terrace is supplied with the morning and evening papers, and is open all day for the use of the public.

OXFORD BATHS
from the Cherwell

continual supply of water. One side of this pillar likewise serves to mark the distance learners may approach with safety; on the other side of the pillar, the water gradually deepens to seven feet six inches. On the north side of the basin are two recesses or baths, covered by elegant arcades, and screened from the view of the swimmers in the basin, by a drapery of scarlet cloth. The dressing rooms, eighteen in number, are situated round these recesses; the depth of water in the first recess, commences at two feet and descends gradually to four feet, corresponding with the depth of the shallow end of the basin. This bath is for the accommodation of timid or juvenile bathers. The depth of water in the second recess, is from four feet six inches to seven feet six inches, and is used as a plunging bath. At the lower end of the basin, is seen the front of the saloon; this building is fifty-two feet long, and seventeen feet high, and is ornamented with casts. The circular tower, which is seen above the arcades, contains the reservoirs, from which the fountain in the centre of the basin is supplied. The ground round the basin is planted with shrubs and evergreens, and the whole is completely secluded from obtrusive observation.

## PLATE II.

Is the building seen from the opposite bank of the Cherwell. At the edge of the river is the water-gate, for the admission of those who come in boats. This entrance is built with free stone, and the ascent to the terrace is by three flights of steps. On the terrace is the reading room, thirty-six feet long, and eighteen feet wide. The light is admitted by three handsome windows, which open to the terrace. This room is supplied with the morning and evening papers, and the most popular and interesting periodical and other publications, and is open all day for the accommodation of subscribers.

The elegant circular tower, is fifty feet high, and thirty-six feet in circumference, and is surmounted with a small temple, supported by columns. The long corridor leads to the numerous dressing rooms, reading room, and saloon.

## PLATE III.

Is a view of the front from Bath Street. This is not yet completed, but the drawing is made from the design by Mr. T. Greenshields, under whose direction the proprietor, (Mr. Richardson,) executed the whole of the works.

This front is sixty-seven feet long, and forty-four feet high: in the centre are two entrances, by a flight of steps through the vestibule to the various baths.

The wings contain hot, shower, and vapour baths; also apartments for the accommodation of persons who may wish to sleep there, after using the hot or medicated baths.

## PLATE IV.

Is a ground plan of the whole establishment, which is explained by the following references :—

1. No. 1. apartments appropriated for hot, shower, and vapour baths.

2. No. 2. are the entrances from Bath Street.

3. No. 3. The corridor leading to the saloon, reading, and dressing rooms.

No. 4. Circular tower, containing the reservoir and machinery for supplying the baths with fresh water.

No. 5. Dressing rooms.

No. 6. The deep recess, or bath.

No. 7. The shallow recess, or bath.

No. 8. Private hot or cold baths.

No. 9. Furnace for heating hot water.

No. 10. Landing stairs from the river Cherwell.

No. 11. Terrace.

No. 12. Reading room.

No. 13. Saloon.

No. 14. Basin, or swimming school.

No. 15. Fountain.

No. 16. Screen to the baths.

No. 17. An aperture for the instantaneous discharge of the water in the basin, in case any accident should occur.

No. 18. Shrubbery.

The figures 4, 5, 5-6, 7 feet 6, in the basin, express the depth in feet of water from the surface to the bottom, immediately under each number.

An annual subscription of One Guinea, includes admission to the Bath, Swimming School, and Reading Room. Non subscribers pay One Shilling each time of admission.