The Royal Baths, York Hotel, Stocker & Longmore's New Baths ... (1820)

John Wallis
  • image IMAGEFORDA1365
RepositoryLibraryShelf
Devon West Country Studies M SC2483-2
Illustration Reference
SC2483-2
Location
CD 38 DVD 6
Publication Details
Date
1820
Publisher
Scope and Content
Butcher, Revd. E. The beauties of Sidmouth displayed, being a descriptive sketch of its situation, salubrity and picturesque scenery.[…] Sidmouth: J. Wallis, 1820. pp. 52-54.BATHING, that salutary and pleasant custom, that chief avowed reason for which such numbers every year quit the towns, and crowd to the coast of our island, and so important an article to the invalid, is, at Sidmouth, both commodious and reasonable. Eight machines, which are conveniently placed a little to the westward of the town, are constantly ready: the terms are, one shilling for each gentlemen the first time, and sixpence for every time afterwards. Ladies one shilling and sixpence the first time, and one shilling after.WARM SEA BATHS, fitted up in an extremely convenient and comfortable stile [sic], have been established both by Mr. Hodge, and Messrs. Stocker. and Longmore; they embrace every mode of bathing. The former having been exclusively used by their Royal Highnesses the (late) Duke and Duchess of Kent and suite, are best known as the Royal Baths.-The New Baths are charmingly situated in the centre of York Terrace.To assist these means of preserving and restoring health, there is a resident Physician, Dr. James Matthews, with four or five Surgeons and Apothecaries.Chemicals and drugs of the most superior qualities, are professed to be sold by Mr. Penn, at his Narthecium, and by Mr. George Atkins in the High-street, at both of which houses, approved Patent Medicines are vended.SEA -BATHING. Those persons who are fond of swimming, or prefer bathing without the use of a machine, should be informed, that a little to the west of the beach there is a fine sequestered bay, in which they may, in calm weather, be safely gratified. The border is a fine sand; upon which, at high water, the bather may walk out for a long distance, without being immersed higher than the breast. While it is our duty to acquaint visitors of this acquisition, it is our first wish to recommend the use of Machines; both for the benefit of the proprietors and the bather, particularly the invalid. The plunge into the element should assuredly supersede the practice of walking in by degrees."Sea bathing" says Dr. Buchan, "is good for one reason, because the sea is a cold bath. The time of bathing ought to be postponed till past noon, or at least till some hours after breakfast, when the digestion of that meal may be supposed to be terminated and such a degree of exercise should always be taken previously to entering the water, as may be sufficient to produce a sensation of warmth over the whole body. By no means go into the water chilly." [Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]
Embellishment
col
Format
Aquatint
Dimensions
88x159mm
Note
Coloured version of SC2483
Aspects
From Beach
Dates
1820