Socrates tells us that “bathing renders a man pure, both in soul and body.” Clemens Alexandrinus says, it should be practised “for the sake of HEALTH and cleanliness, and, lastly, of pleasure.” The ancient Romans considered the bath as the most important item in the economy of their lives: they regarded it as indispensable for health and comfort;--an idea of the magnificence and luxurious construction of the Roman baths may be formed from the poetical description by Statius, of the baths of Claudius Etruscus: “Nothing there’s vulgar: not the fairest brass In all the glittering structure claims a place. From _silver_ pipes the happy waters flow, In _silver cisterns_ are received below. See where with noble pride the doubtful stream Stands fixed with wonder on the shining brim; Surveys its riches, and admires its state; Loath to be ravish’d from the glorious seat.” The most remarkable bagnios were those of the Emperor Dioclesian and Antonius Caracalla, with their curiously vaulted roofs, spacious apartments, and a thousand other ornaments and conveniences. Those of Dioclesian occupied 140,000 men many years in building them. Bathing acts morally, as well as physically. It induces habits of cleanliness, which are found allied only with self-respect, improved temperance, intelligence, and morality. “This is the purest exercise of Health! Thus life redoubles; and is oft preserved By the bold swimmer, in the swift illapse Of accident disastrous.--Hence the limbs _Knit into force! and the same Roman arm That rose victorious o’er the conquer’d earth, First learn’d, while tender, to subdue the wave!!_ E’en from the _body’s_ purity, the _mind_ Derives a secret, sympathetic aid!!”