BATHING. 



22 BATHING. 



the coves and bays, coasting the islands, and lying 

 cool in the shadows of the woods. The clearness of 

 the water is a common surprise to the visitors from 

 a level country ; and it is pleasant sport to watch 

 the movements of the fish, darting, basking, or 

 leaping in the sunshine, or quivering their fins in 

 the reflected ray. What the quality of the trout 

 and char is, the tourist will probably find every 

 day, at breakfast and dinner. 



It may be thought superfluous to add a warning 

 about the dangers of bathing. But the residents 

 in the district know that there are 

 deaths from this cause every summer. 

 It is far too common a story that a man has been 

 drowned while bathing. When inquiry is made 

 how it has happened, the usual answer is that he 

 could not swim, and that he got into a hole, and 

 could not get out again. This is not, however, the 

 only danger. Strangers see how clear and tempt- 

 ing the water looks, and are apt to forget how cold 

 it must be, and venture in in a heated or exhausted 

 condition. The result is that many deaths have 

 occurred. Nothing can be more refreshing than 

 bathing in the lakes or the mountain streams and 

 pools ; and it may be perfectly safe, if ordinary 

 precautions are taken. The wonder is that they 

 are not, while swimming is so easily learnt, and 

 w 7 hile every one must be aware of the danger of 

 going into the water in an unfit condition. 



Having conducted the tourist over the leading 

 points of scenery in the immediate vicinity of 

 Windermere, I shall now proceed to sketch out 

 for him such a series of tours as will introduce 

 him to a pretty extensive acquaintance with the 



