plash about and enjoy themselves. Such a bathing-place
will sound childish enough to strong swimmers, who have learnt to go
long distances with ease in the Thames or in the sea, but it must be
remembered that we are dealing with an inland population who are
timid of water. A boy who can cross such a small pool without
touching the bottom with his feet, would soon feel at home in
broader waters, if ever circumstances should bring him near them. If
there is no stream a large pond could be cleaned out, and sand and
gravel placed upon the bottom--almost anything is better than the
soft oozy mud, which, once stirred up, will not settle for hours,
and destroys all pleasure or benefit from bathing. No building is
necessary to dress in, or anything of that kind. The place selected
would be, of course, at a distance from any public footpath, and
even if it were near there are so few passing in rural outlying
districts that no one need be shocked. But if it was considered
necessary an older man could be paid a small sum to walk down every
evening, or at the stated hours for bathing, and see that no
irregularity occurred. A loose pole or two always kept near the
stream or pond, and ready to hand, would amply provide against any
little danger there might be. Bathing is most important to health,
and if a really good swim is possible there is nothing so conducive
to an elasticity of frame. Our labourers are notoriously strong and
muscular, and possess considerable power of endurance (though they
destroy their 'wind,' in running phraseology, by too much beer), but
their strength is clumsy, their gait ungainly, their run heavy and
slow. The freedom of motion in the water, the simultaneous use of
arms and limbs, the peculiar character of the exercise, renders it
one, above all others, calculated to give an ease and grace to the
body. In a good physical education, swimming must form an important
part; and the labourer requires a physical education quite as much
as a mental. The bathing-place, as a means of inducing personal
cleanliness, would have its uses. The cottages of the labouring poor
are often models of cleanliness, but the persons of the inhabitants
precisely the reverse. The expense of such a bathing-place need be
but very small. If it was situated in a cow-leaze, the bathing could
begin the moment the spring became warm enough; if in a meadow
usually mown, as soon as the grass has been cut, which would be
early in June. It wou