View report page

25
healthy ablution. This mud also not unfrequently
entangles the bather, and causes his death. To
render this a fit or safe place for bathing, this mud
should be got rid of.
In the next place, the Serpentine is a most unfit
place for a bath, on account of the irregularities of
its bottom. In some places there are deep holes,
which entrap the unwary bather, and lead to his
destruction. One of the first necessities for making
this a safe bath is the getting rid of these holes,
and making a uniform surface at the bottom, with a
depth that would prevent the risk of loss of life to
those who bathe.
Attempts have been made to purify the water, but
the Government has not yet sanctioned any plan for
cleaning and improving the bottom. As its use as
a bath is more particularly confined to the populations
surrounding it, it would perhaps hasten any
steps for the improvement of this lake, if the
parishes of St. George's, Hanover Square, Chelsea,
Brompton, Kensington, Bayswater, Paddington, St.
Marylebone, and St. James, Westminster, were to
combine for the purpose of pressing on the Board
of Works the necessity of immediate steps for the
improvement of this water as a great Metropolitan
bath. I would say this on the ground that bathing
is a most healthful exercise, and that a knowledge
of the art not only tends to strengthen the human
frame, and gives courage and self-reliance amidst
the dangers to which the population of this