Punch: Punch (97.1889)

October 12, 1889.]

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

169

DEVONIAN PERIOD.

BATHING RECIPROCITIES.

There is a magnificent swimming-bath attached—I may say
deeply, in some parts, at least, attached—to the hotel. But
the Philosopher, the Poet, and myself, have never been able to make
any use of it, because from ten to two it is given up to the ladies ;
and as from twelve to one—i.e., before luncheon—happens to be the
only hour when a swim in a certain temperature is recommended us by
the faculty, and the alternative of open-air sea-bathing involves so
much discomfort, we have been reluctantly compelled to abandon all
idea of testing the merits of the Ilfracombe Hotel Swimming Bath
until such time as the present inconvenient rule is altered, or a
separate bath built for the unfair sex who wish to have everything
their own way. With only one swimming-bath, surely the ladies
(bless ’em !) could be satisfied with three mornings a week, and give
the gentlemen a chance, at all events, from mid-day till 1‘30 on the
other three, Sundays not being included.

The sea-shore bathing is pleasant enough for those who like al
fresco entertainment; and it is as free-and-easy as at a French
watering-place. It is true there is one place set apart for the Nep-
tunes, and another for the Amphitrites. But these invidious

distinctions--------l

attired elder —

and occasio]^-
-could not s© -
were memb ——
bathers. Tl -
belong to tl~
stools. Hoy z: -r-
and so there
“We mm r:

juer'sgo.” —
There are -
combe and ^
coaches,—wl~
from Messrs, ir
The Dreadn — °o
body’s Coach-
and Teazer. n.
driven by Lo EE
Arthur Baj=-L
Labouchere, -
Teazer and 2 —
first G-overnn = jq
proceedings | =—
regularly in: —
sions, of ever ="
and be takei r: 10
aiders are “ : —

“ Now. He —

ior an iiicu i ~
their coat-col E cm

0 soberly

1 reading,
doing. 1
wo ladies
is to the
; possibly
m camp-
or ladies,

filect. I

erhaps I
is there.

m Ilfra-
| ’he chief
supplied
I mce and
1 Some-
Tickler
Defiance
fht Hon.
<• by Mr.
^bangs’’
as. The
nmences
morning
ise occa-
)efiance,
the out-

a white
ire to all
es, keep
tier most
, afraid
exclude
idy pre-
fer ; but

their veils and
smirk, glancing
slily in the direc-
tion of the pho-
tographer, so as
to catch his eye
if possible, and
secure his special
if not exclusive
attention.

Then The De-
fiance starts, and
a lively drive we
have to Lynton.
The gentlemen
are requested to
walk up the worst
hill, just out of
Parracoombe,
which some do
cheerfully and
some grudgingly,

as not having paid to walk. All sit well back and gasp as they
descend into Lynton.

We furtively glance at one another to see how each one of us likes
going down this precipitous descent. Catching each other’s eye, we
smile,—forced smiles,—merely to encourage the performance. Miss
Brondesly laughs hysterically, stiffens herself as if to meet a shock,
clutches her handkerchief, which she has rolled up into a small ball,
with one hand, and grips the back rail with the other. Our Own Mrs.
Cook smiles nervously. We try to distract each other’s attention
and our own from the present crisis by pretending to admire distant
scenery; but the evident effort is a failure, especially when tried

Nothing when you ’re used to it.

on Our Own Mrs. Cook, to whom, as I keep one eye on the off-leader,
I point out the distant prospect of hill and wood, and say, “ Look!
isn’t that beautiful?” She replies, in a jerky tone—“ Oh—yes—
very pretty—beautiful! ” and youEdon’t get her to take her eyes off
the horses, or her hands off the rail—she is prepared to jump off any-
where at the shortest notice—until we are safely ascending the next
hill. Then we take(a long’breath, mutually congratulate one another,
and look admiringly at the coachman, in whom we all have the most
unbounded confidence.

Lynton is lovely. All I say now is, (io there and see. Capital
luncheon, and reasonable prices, at the Valley of Rocks Hotel.

Advice gratis.—Take small traps, and drive by the lower road to
Lynton, stopping for refreshment at the Hunter’s Inn, and going
down to Heddon’s Mouth. Coach doesn’t do this. And only a very
first-rate experienced driver, as is the proprietor of The Defiance, for
example, can safely conduct a “ charrybang ” along that rough road,
a considerable part of which, like most of the Devonshire lanes, is
length without breadth, and a tight fit for one.

“ You are Old Father William.”—A contributor to the Figaro,
writing about M. Coquelln’s return to the Framjais, mentions that
this clever comedian has got an adaptation, by M. Paul Delair, of
Shakspeare’s Taming of the Shrew, called, La Megere Corrigee,
But the writer does not anticipate much success for the venture,
“ Pas tres communicative, en France, du moins,” he says, “ la
arrange I gaiete du vieux William.” Perhaps M. Coquelik had better leave
dies lift old William’s farcical comedy alone.