3984. The art of swimming is, in fact, very easy, and those persons who take the few brief hints we are about to offer, will soon find themselves rewarded by complete success.
3985. The first consideration is not to attempt to learn to swim too soon. That is, you must not expect to succeed in your efforts to swim until you have become accustomed to the water, and have overcome your repugnance to the coldness and novelty of bathing. Every attempt will fail until you have acquired a certain confidence in the water, and then the difficulty will soon vanish.
3986. Dr. Franklin's Advice to Swimmers.—"The only obstacle to improvement in this necessary and life-preserving art, is fear; and it is only by overcoming this timidity that you can expect to become a master of the following acquirements."
3987. It is very common for novices in the art of swimming to make use of corks or bladders to assist in keeping the body above water; some have utterly condemned the use of them; however, they may be of service for supporting the body, while one is learning what is called the stroke, or that manner of drawing in and striking out the hands and feet, that is necessary to produce progressive motion.
3988. The practice I mean is this: choosing a place where the water deepens gradually, walk coolly into it till it is up to your breast; then turn round your face to the shore, and throw an egg into the water between you and the shore; it will sink to the bottom, and be easily seen there if the water is clean.