exercise is a healthful accompaniment of bathing, and
that lives may be saved by it, even when least expected, is a
sufficient argument for the recommendation. The art of swimming is, in
reality, very easy. The first consideration is not to attempt to learn
to swim too hastily. That is to say, you must not expect to succeed in
your efforts to swim, until you have become accustomed to the water,
and have overcome your repugnance to the coldness and novelty of
bathing. Every attempt will fail until you have acquired a certain
confidence in the water, and then the difficulty will soon vanish.

[WHAT THOU CANST DO THYSELF, COMMIT NOT TO ANOTHER.]

1398. Dr. Franklin's Advice to Swimmers.

"The only obstacle to improvement in this necessary and
life-preserving art is fear: and it is only by overcoming this
timidity that you can expect to become a master of the following
acquirements. It is very common for novices in the art of swimming
to make use of cork or bladders to assist in keeping the body above
water; some have utterly condemned the use of them; however, they
may be of service for supporting the body while one is learning what
is called the stroke, or that manner of drawing in and striking out
the hands and feet that is necessary to produce progressive motion.
But you will be no swimmer till you can place confidence in the
power of the water to support you; I would, therefore, advise the
acquiring that confidence in the first place; especially as I have
known several who, by a little practice, necessary for that purpose,
have insensibly acquired the stroke, taught, as it were, by nature.

The practice I mean is this: choosing a place where the water
deepens gradually, walk coolly into it till it is up to your breast;
then turn round your face to the shore, and throw an egg into the
water between you and the shore; it will sink to the bottom and be
easily seen there if the water be clear. It must lie in the water so
deep that you cannot reach to take it up but by diving for it. To
encourage yourself in order to do this, reflect that your progress
will be from deep to shallow water, and that at any time you may, by
bringing your legs under you, and standing on the bottom, raise your
head far above the water; then plunge under it with your eyes open,
which must be kept open on going