The Baths, Ancient and Modern. 159 



very carefully planned, with domed vaulting, but only three 

 in number. These Baths were slightly enlarged in subse- 

 quent years, but on the purchase by the Bath Corporation 

 of the Hot Spring in 1878 they ceased to be Hot Mineral 

 Baths. These are now known as the Turkish Baths, and 

 are held on lease of the Corporation by Mr. Sheppy. The 

 erection of these Baths was followed by the building of 

 the Royal Private Baths in 1778, containing four private 

 baths coftvmunicating with a large central bath, called the 

 Hot Bath, with eight dressing-rooms, four vestibules, douche 

 rooms, etc. A large Swimming bath, with dressing-rooms, 

 was added in 1859. The Cross Bath was in great part 

 re-erected in 1797 with a small pump-room, douche-rooms, 

 and private baths, since removed. 



In 1788 the new King's and Queen's Baths were com- 

 menced, and these were followed by the erection of the 

 present Grand Pump Room. These buildings, notwithstand- 

 ing a large purchase of contiguous property, entailed con- 

 siderable encroachments on the north and west sides of the 

 King's Bath, and involved the removal altogether of the 

 ancient " slips " and the substitution of long corridors for 

 Sedan-chairs, and the addition of some small auxiliary baths 

 without dressing-rooms, with the exception of perhaps two 

 or three apartments communicating with the public baths ; 

 the Queen's Bath being reserved for ladies. In a storey 

 above this was a central vestibule with six dressing-rooms, 

 four of these being attached to four baths, each containing 

 800 gallons of water ; the other two communicating with two 

 douche-rooms with a small closet for a " spray." About thirty 

 years ago these Baths were improved, and an entrance was 

 opened from the Pump Room ; the basement was enlarged 

 with additional corridors, and a vapour-room was also added. 



