Bathing acts morally, as well as physically. It induces habits of cleanliness, which are found allied only with self-respect, improved temperance, intelligence, and morality.
“This is the purest exercise of Health!
Thus life redoubles; and is oft preserved
By the bold swimmer, in the swift illapse
Of accident disastrous.—Hence the limbs
Knit into force! and the same Roman arm
That rose victorious o’er the conquer’d earth,
First learn’d, while tender, to subdue the wave!!
E’en from the body’s purity, the mind
Derives a secret, sympathetic aid!!”