The Art of Swimming

Monsieur Thévenot's 'The Art of Swimming, illustrated by proper figures with Advice for Bathing', is a fascinating volume dating from 1696. When it was first published, it was one of the first books about the sport and was widely consulted throughout the 18th century.

Disregarding its title, Thévenot's swimming handbook seems to have been designed less as a means of perfecting one's style in the water, and more as a tool for survival. He lists a number of advantages to learning how to become adept in the water in the introduction to his book:
In case of Shipwreck, if one is not very far from Shore, the Art of Swimming may set one safe there, and to save from being drowned. In case of being pursued by an Enemy, and meeting a River in one's way, you have the advantage of escaping two sorts of Death, by gaining the Shore on the other side, and so escaping from your Enemy, and from being drowned in the attempt of doing it.

Enjoy the full collection of wonderful illustrations as well as some of the more intriguing techniques such as 'The Agility of the Dolphin', 'The Leap of the Goat' or how 'To Boot ones self in the water' - an action apparently 'very commodious for cleaning Feet from mud'. There's even advice on how 'To cut the nails of the toes in the water'. The reader is assured this is an easier task to perform in water than out - though best not try this one down the local swimming baths!