The Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
August 13, 1845

BATHING
During this hot weather there is no evening amusement in our opinion so
charmingly delightful as Bathing. Bathing in any "mingling waters" of a
moonlight night when the thermometer aspires to 100 degrees,  is highly
agreeable- but bathing in the Mississippi! - there's an inspiration in it.
We could sit up to our chin any night in its transparent waters with the
moonbeams showering down upon our cranium, and write poetry with railroad
velocity- but we don't intend to do it. Although so pleasurable an
amusement, we regard bathing as an exercise peculiarly healthful. During
these days when men Falstaff-like "lard the lean earth" with their fat,
every man, woman and child, should purify the skin by frequent washing.
Regarding then  bathing as an amusement so pleasant in its enjoyment and so
healthy in its effects, we cannot but regret that our ladies are so
excessively more modest than those of eastern cities, and of civilized and
uncivilized countries generally, as to be prevented from indulging in the
sport. Bathing dresses are easily made, and we have no doubt sufficient
gentlemen could be obtained at any time ready and willing to form social
parties for the accommodation of the fair divers. Diving belles would then
be common.


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