TO SWIM: A DELIGHT AS WELL AS A DUTY.

Southland Times, Issue 745, 4 November 1867, Page 3

TO SWIM : A DELIGHT AS WELL AS A DUTY.

Even to a swimmer, the task of saving life is not easy ; the grip and grapple of some sinking 1 creature whose nerve has gone, has been a fatal embrace for many a noble fellow ; and it is not every one who has sufficient self-control under such circumstances. But, if it is not always possible to save others, surely it is worth something to be able to save oneself. There are cases, no doubt, in which even ' good swimmers are drowned. A sudden cramp may seize them when swimming far out at sea ; or, in river bathing, they may get entangled in the coiling waterweeds, without the possibility of extrication; but ninety-nine times out of a hundred, death is due to ignorance of the simplest and most easily-acquired of all physical accomplishments. The man must be either exceptionally awkard or exceptionally stupid who cannot learn to swim in half a dozen lessons ; and there are facilities for learning in every important town throughout the kingdom. At the seaside itself, it is really painful to see a number of people jumping up and down in shallow water, holding on by a rope to the friendly machine, and imagining that they are in that way enjoying all the sea has to give them. Let them but try. With the very first lesson, some increase of confidence will come ; and before the week is out, an apt pupil, of any reasonable age and in tolerable health, will kuow that he is henceforth free of the element which seemed so dangerous. Of the delights that follow, it is hardly needful we should speak : the swift plunge, " the cool silver shock," tie sense of mastery with which one strikes out to seaward, the caressing murmur of the waters, the luxurious indolence of floating ,or the warm and genial glow that braces the whole system, that strengthens body and brain alike. These sensations are known to every swimmer, and they are kuown to swimmers alone ; they can never be got by the people who are contented to potter about on the sands, jumping up and down, like shrimps in a rock-pool. It is not given to all to be powerful or graceful swimmers ; but except in very rare cases anyone can manage to keep himself afloat. Every father of a family is neglecting his duty if he does not see that his children are taught to swin, and he cannot do better than acquire the same accomplishment himself. If the argument from safety is insufficient for persuasion, we must appeal to a lower motive ; we must say, what no man competent to judge will doubt, that the person who*is still unaoie to swim is ignorant of some of the most delightful physical sensations that the world affords. A Roman emperor offered an immense reward for a new pleasures there are hosts of people amongst us who can obtain one with inconsiderable trouble and at the cost of a few shillings. — Daily Telegraph. Eolloway's Ointment. — Turn which way you will, go where you please, persons will bo found who hare a ready word of praise for this Ointment. For chaps, chafes, ■ scalds, bruises, and sprains, it is an invaluable remedy ; for bad legs, caused by accident or cold, it may be confidently relied upon for effecting a sound and permanent cure. In cases of swelled ancles, erysipelas, gout, and rheumatism, Holloway's Ointment gires the greatest comfort by reducing the nilammation, coaling the blood, soothing the nerves, and adjusting the circulation, and expelling the impurities. This Ointment should have a place in every nursery. It will cure the long list of skin affections which originate in childhood w<X gftixx strength viitb, the gild's growth, 6