What sort of advice were 19th Century women given about swimming? This entertaining article from the delightful Outdoor Swimmer magazine explores exactly that.
My favourite?
Another writer advised that ‘delicate women and children who suffer from cold feet even in summer, would do well to take off their sandals for a few minutes before entering the sea so as to warm their feet and ankles on the sun-baked sand; and such persons will find it is advisable to take a few drops of Malaga or port before entering the sea.
This is a classic bit of bloggy disappearance down a rabbit hole. I now know more about a particular brand of pencil than I ever suspected could exist.
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