The Open Air 



Let the matter be argued from whatever point of view, 

 the fact remains that these accidents occur from the 

 want of an efficient division between the dangerous 

 and the safe part of the approach to a weir. A boom 

 or some kind of fence is required, and how extra- 

 ordinary it seems that nothing of the kind is done! 

 It is not done because there is no authority, no 

 control, no one responsible. Two or three gentlemen 

 acquainted with aquatics could manage the river from 

 end to end, to the safety and satisfaction of all, if 

 they were entrusted with discretionary powers. Stiff 

 rules and rigid control are not needed ; what is wanted 

 is a rational power freely using its discretion. I do 

 not mean a Board with its attendant follies; I mean 

 a small committee, unfettered, untrammelled by 

 " legal advisers " and so forth, merely using their 

 own good sense. 



I drifted away from the weir now grown hideous 

 and out of hearing of its wailing dirge for the 

 unfortunate. I drifted past more barges coming up, 

 and more steam-tugs; past river lawns, where gay 

 parties were now sipping claret-cup or playing tennis. 

 By-and-by, I began to meet pleasure-boats and to 

 admire their manner of progress. First there came 

 a gentleman in white flannels, walking on the tow- 

 path, with a rope round his waist, towing a boat in 

 which two ladies were comfortably seated. In a 

 while came two more gentlemen in striped flannels, 

 one streaked with gold the other with scarlet, striding 

 side by side and towing a boat in which sat one lady. 

 They were very earnestly at work, pacing in step, 

 their bodies slightly leaning forwards, and every now 

 and then they mopped their faces with handkerchiefs 

 which they carried in their girdles. Something in 

 their slightly-bowed attitude reminded me of the 



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