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 place whence you came. This way is not only very pleasant, but also, when you find yourself wearied with swimming, and far distant from the shore, it may be useful to rest yourself.

If men sink to the bottom of the water it is their own fault, nature having laid no necessity on them of doing so; nay, there is not only occasion for force and strength, but also art, to do it safely, speedily, and handsomely ; but those who are expert at swimming do it, on occasion, as swift as an arrow and descend perpendicularly or obliquely as they please. The first way of doing it is, to begin standing on your feet touching the bottom ; then afterwards rise up, your head bowed down, so that your chin must touch your breast, the crown of your head being turned towards the bottom, holding the backs of your hands close together, right before your head, and sinking or striking them down first with all the swiftness and exactness you can: and thus you may dive to the bottom.

In the first place, you are to determine whether you are to swim at the bottom of the water, or near the surface, or in the middle. You first of