SOS tSLES OF SOrMEll. 



islands are situated within the limits of the isothermal belt, that 

 in the neighborhood of the equator, nearly encircles, with a warm 

 watery girdle, the earth. The Gulf Stream protects it upon the 

 west and north, while the strong winds, that sometimes prevail, 

 seem unable to bring to the surface the colder water that fills 

 the bed of the vast oceanic basins. Besides private bath houses 

 along the city's harbor front, bathing facilities are furnished near 

 Fort Montague. Crossing the harbor in a row-boat, the north 

 shore of Hog Island is soon reached, where the surf rolls in from 

 the ocean, and bathing of a lively and exciting description can be 

 enjoyed by those who experience an exhilarating pleasure in 

 breasting the strong and foaming billows. Some gentlemen who 

 occasionally tried surf bathing there before breakfast, spoke very 

 highly in its praise, but regretted that no one had life, energy 

 and enterprise enough to smooth the surface of the rocks — a work 

 requiring but a few hours of labor with a hammer. 



Some indulged every morning in a sea-water sponge bath in 

 their rooms. 



