THE ART OF SWIMMING. 



257 



EARLY SWIMMING. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



THE ART OF SWIMMING FEATS IN NATATION LIFE SAVERS. 



Lord Byron and the Hellespont The Art of Swimming a Necessary Accomplishment The Numbers Lost from Drowning 

 A Lamentable Accident Captain Webb's Advice to Beginners Bold and Timid Lads Best Places to Learn in 

 Necessity of Commencing Properly The Secret of a Good Stroke Useful and Ornamental Natation Diving Advice 

 Possibilities of Serious Injury Inventions for Aiding Swimming and Floating The Boyton Dress Matthew Webb- 

 Brave Attempt to Save a Comrade The Great Channel Swim Twenty-Two Hours in the Sea Stung by a Jelly. 

 Fish Red Light on the Waters Cape Grisnez at Hand Exhaustion of the Swimmer Fears of Collapse- 

 Triumphant Landing on Calais Sands Webb's Feelings An Ingenious Sailor Saved by Wine-bottles - Life Savers- 

 Thomas Fowell Buxton Ellerthorpe Lambert The "Jlero of the Clyde" His Brave Deeds Funny Instances The 

 Crowning Feat Blinded and Neglected Appreciation at Last. 



" But since he * crossed the rapid tide, 

 According to the doubtful story, 



To woo 



And swam for love, as I for glory; 



" 'Twere hard to say who fared the best : 



Sad mortals ! thus the gods still plague you ! 

 He lost his labour, I my jest : 



For he was drowned, and I've the ague." 



So sang Lord Byron after his memorable swim across the Hellespont with Lieutenant 

 Ekenhead, of H.M.S. Salsette. The distance from Abydos to Sestos is about a mile, but the 

 distance swum was four; the current there runs so strongly that no boat can cross direct. "It 



* Leander. 



" Who was nightly wont 

 (What maid will not the tale remember ?) 

 To cross thy stream, broad Hellespont ! " 



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