A PRACTICAL JOURNAL OF 
HOME ARTS 
Vol. IV. NEAV YORK, SEPTEMBER, 1881. No. 
Let the pupil bear in mind that, to be 
successful, there are three essentials, viz. : 
Confidence in the buoyancy of the body 
when the proper motions are made. 
Presence of mind to think on and per- 
form the necessary movements. 
Determination to learn. 
Do not jump or dive from a height into 
the water until accustomed to the slight 
shock experienced by learners. Walk 
quickly into the water, until immersed to 
the middle of the body ; turn the face to 
the shallow water, and duck the whole 
body and head by bending the knees, the 
one foot being behind the other. Have a 
friend to support the body by means of a 
strap, passed round the chest under the 
armpits, and meeting in the hollow be- 
tween the shoulders. This can be done 
best by the teacher leaning over the stern 
of a small punt. In this position he can 
see every portion of the pupil's limbs, and 
can direct the movements very easily, 
without entering the water at all. Get 
the body into position by throwing the 
head well forward, lift the feet off the 
ground, and stretch the legs as far apart 
as possible. This position of the nether 
limbs gives them floating power, and 
keeps them close to the surface of the 
How to Learn to Swim. 
ET the learner 
choose for his first 
lessons a warm day, 
about noon, or, if 
he may be strong 
enough for it, in the 
morning, shortly 
after rising, having 
first partaken of a 
dry biscuit, or, in 
the evening, not 
later than, say eight 
o'clock. In no case 
should any one enter water sooner than, 
at least, seventy-five or eighty minutes 
after meals. Neither should bathing be 
indulged in when the body is perspiring 
profusely. The opposite extreme is as 
bad ; no one can hope to enjoy a bath in 
cold water, if he has to enter it when the 
body is chilled. Many accidents occur to 
practiced swimmers for want of proper 
attention to the condition of the body and 
stomach when bathing. 
