BATHING IN SOUTHERN FRANCE.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 647, 12 March 1870, Page 4

BATHING IN SOUTHERN FRANCE.

[l,<WJDO2>r SOCIETY.] : There are two styles of bathing at PortVendres — the fancy-costume stylo and the old-clothes style. The choice is left to your private taste ; only a costume thore must be. With that duly donned, you are at liberty to converse as freely . (after previous acceptance as a travelling acquaintance) at and in the marine promenade as at and in the hospitable hotel —but with all respect and decorum, be it strictly understood. There may be a little brotherly and sisterly fun at the very most — no more. A favorite young lady's costume — high up to the neck, and more decent than many "low tops" at balls — is something like that of Fra Diavolo, only the conical hat of straw is without a feather, naked arms and legs, with sandalled shoon which do not quite conceal a well-turned calf. Buttons in quantity are much the rage. The oldclothes is founded on' the principle that •when ihing9 are not good enough to walk the streets in, they are quite good enough to walk the sea in. Moliere's miser says to his domestic, "If you serve me faithfully and well, I will give you this old coat — when I have worn it a little longer." A penurious dame here might promise her maid, " If you continue honest and true, I will- give you this dress, after I have bathed in it a few more times/ Such ' bathers, male and female, when they retire to their cabins to un- and re-dress, look, "with the exception of an inconsistent placidity of countenance, like unfortunates rescued from a "watery grave. A lady, young and good-looking, in mourning, retains the hue of sorrow, even in ; her bath. She has evidently cut short a pair of her husband's black pantaloons ; the vest is some ruined, sable, female garment whose scientific name escapes my memory ; head-dress, an oilskin cap, surmounted by.a battered and wisped bonnet. The pretty feet are thrust into worn-out black-cloth boots, left unbuttoned, , to finish the tiegligee. I feel inclined to ask, impertinently, why Madame does not also wear a holey pair of black-kid gloves to swim in ; but she is really so amiable that I cannot. We will take a gentleman fellow-bather, from the top downwards. Smart" straw hat (never wetted), with bright bine ribbon ; spectacles (Monsieur is young); blue blouse, not much the worse for wear ; bright chesnut trousers ; ■ real grey linen boots, with black tips at the toes. The trousers prevent o\ir ascertaining whether silk stockings are worn prnot.. So attired, Monsieur walks into | the* water as he would walk down Fop's Alley at the Opera, proceeds to a horizontal bar, lays hold of it, leans back, show 3 the tips.of his .boots above the surface, and calls that bathing !