A NEW PASTIME.

Dunstan Times, Issue 690, 9 July 1875, Page 4

A NEW PASTIME.

We extract the following from the London Graphic It is perhaps beyond the bounds of possibility to expect that we shall ever see the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race rowed without boats, but certainly C.iptain Boynton’s new flqpting-dress promises that we shall see things well-nigh as extraordinary on our rivers before long. Though possibly we shall never witness eight young athletes in dark blue linked together contending against the same number similarly circumstanced in light blue, the invention m»y become very popular amongst those solitary occupants of canoes and outriggers so often encountered on our rivers. Doubtless the energetic gentleman who went a thousand miles in the Rob Roy canoe, would be equally happy in doing double the distance in the Boynton costume. The success of the recent trial of this invention in tho trip from Westminster to Greenwich indicates that it will in time become extensively patronised. The two gentlemen who accompanied the inventor on t ie occasion were novices : they had only worn the costume once before, and one of them was unable to swim. It was proved on this occasion that there was no dimim » tion whatever in the temperature of the body at the close of the trip. This is a very important matter, and shows the great use that can be made of this invention. Whether it will ever be greatly in demand for long sea-voyages, or can be of extraordinary use in the hurry and panic of a shipwreck, it is difficult to say, but there is no reason whatever that it should not become vastly popular for excursions and small trips in summer time. Fancy a party of ladies and gentlemen drifting down from Marlow to lunch beneath the Cliefden Woods ! Imagine a water picnic with floating tables in some secluded cove in Devon ! The dress, as it exists at present, is more practical than picturesque, but doubtless a Worth will arise who will be able to make it sufficiently attractive for modem naiades. Society can scarcely roll itself on wheel-soates all the summer, and river excursions in the Boyton dress will doubtless prove a pleasant change.