Strength and happiness / by Richard A. Proctor.

  • Richard Anthony Proctor
Date:
1885
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Strength and happiness / by Richard A. Proctor. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    187/308 (page 167)
    books on swimming tell liiin to do_, and what pro- fessors of swimming pretend to expect him to do. In the first place, the learner should, not stand breast-high in the water, at least on a sloping shore, or where there is any stream. Not man}'- years ago, some simple lessons on swimming, beginning with some such advice as we have quoted above, led a beginner to his grave; for, tumbling forwards in trying to carry out the instructions, he began to flounder, and floundering into deeper water, was drowned. In a bathing-place with level floor, a learner may safely take his first lessons with the water up to his armpits wdien he stands upright. But on a sloping shore (and even then he must be well assured that the slope is uniform and gradual, and the bottom such as he can stand on firmly) he should be content to stand in water some three or four inches below the armpits. If there is a stream, he wdll do well to fasten round his waist a stout cord, attached to some thoroughly trustworthy post on the bank. The same also at sea, if there is any tide or current, or any but the slightest undulations. It is better also to be with persons who can swim. In fact, avoid all danger. You will not learn the worse for being safe. So much premised, note that the first thing to be learned—the first, but after it is learned everything else comes easily—is the art of retaining the balance in the water. It is better, if you want eventually to be a really good swimmer — that is, to have good