That there is such an Art, as that of Swimming, and what is to be observed before one enters on putting the Precepts of it in Practice. – Melchisédech Thévenot
In 1764, a small book about swimming was published in London.
It lays out how to swim in thirty-eight rules or ‘precepts’. There are forty copperplate engravings – illustrations it calls 'proper', which 'represent the different postures necessary to be used in that Art.'
This blog, by the Library’s Rare Books and Music Curator Dr Susannah Helman, explores this charming little book, just in time for the last days of summer. It may even be helpful the next time you take the plunge!
Even Benjamin Franklin is noted to have owned a copy of the 1699 print of this book.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.The most common thread to greatness in almost any feild is 10,000 hour of practice. I have 85,000 hour of practice in my proffession as an Aritst. . Kind of look at it , like a doctor would practice.
Castlepaloma
Level 8
Mar 10, 2023
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Most do not understand that. They press a virtual button on their phone to take a photograph & therefore claim that they are an artist! Politicians make laws about things that they & their advisors have no knowledge of the daily workings. Logic, common sense & the teachings of past experience & learning are cast aside to be replaced by incompetence, stupidity, loss of working life and worthless mediocrity or worse.
So true, most people want instant gratication rather than the marathon of truth. Politicians have the intelligence of academics and abstractive thinking for management yet lact the visual of picture mind thinking and practical purposes. One good example is Temple Grandin, as she expresses two types of intelligence, that is not used and shared well in the educational system and in life.
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