98 General History of Bath. 



London to Bath in 1839, the facihties for passenger traffic 

 have been constantly increasing. Express trains bring the 

 city within 2}^ hours of London, and the Midland, and 

 Somerset and Dorset, lines connect it conveniently with 

 other parts. 



Of the amusements of Bath we need say but little. 

 Dancing, music, the theatre, chess, hunting, shooting, fish- 

 ing, boating, cricket, tennis, football, and athletics, all woo 

 their votaries, whilst the more studious may find earnest 

 fellow-workers in Archaeology, Zoology, Botany, and other 

 kindred pursuits. 



We have traced the growth of Bath from a cluster of 

 miserable cottages to a stately city with a population of 

 nearly 54,000. It needs not that we dwell upon its beauties, 

 a pleasant stroll or two through street and lane will produce 

 an impression more vivid than many pages of description. 



But the visitor will be struck at what will appear to be the 

 unreasonable affection for the city of those even who have 

 been resident for a short time — an affection too real and too 

 intense to be inspired by mere charms of situation or archi- 

 tecture. He will wonder at this glamour which tJie city 

 casts upon its inhabitants — at their unwillingness to leave — 

 at their yearning to return. Let him have a care. The 

 disease is infectious, and the Bath waters only aggravate it. 



