rolling breakers, the vivacity of childhood comes back. When the provisions for safety are so thorough that all fear is dismissed from the mind, the abandon is complete, and the joy ecstatic. The surf lubricates the joints like oil; grave men fling out their limbs like colts in pastures; dignified women, from the very inspiration of necessity, sport like girls at recess; aged people tumble among the waves till one would think they were only in their teens."

Arrangements of the first bathing facilities were granted under contract to Captain W. T. Street, whose contract terminated in 1876. It was then determined that thereafter there should be two bathing places; "one at or near the foot of Wesley Lake, and one near the foot of Fletcher Lake." Both of these were to be conducted under similar regulations and restrictions but under different management.

The adjustment of the bathing question gave the Executive Committee some solicitude and care from the fact that Captain Street owned the bath houses and the Association owned the land. The easiest solution proved to be for the Association to purchase the buildings erected by Captain Street, "including the use of the life-lines all along our coast, for which he held the patent," for the full term to which his patent extended. The bathing privilege near Wesley Lake was then leased for one year to George W. Evans, which lease he, with the consent of the Association, transferred with all its privileges and financial interest, to Joseph Ross. Theodore W. Lillagore became the lessee for the bathing privileges at the foot of Fletcher Lake.

The arrangement with both of these lessees continued for many years —until the management of the bathing was taken over by the Association.

To indicate the most suitable hours for bathing, flag staffs were erected at the bathing grounds; small flags were floated to the breeze at bathing hours. During the period of Camp Meeting services, when the bathing hours occurred at the same hours when religious services were to be held, flags were hauled down and bathing was not permitted.

Ocean bathing has always been considered solely a recreation at Ocean Grove and has never been permitted on Sunday.

Both Wesley and Fletcher Lakes are fed by natural springs. For a number of years fresh water bathing was enjoyed by those who preferred it, and the bather had the option of either fresh or salt water bathing, or both.

With the construction of the new plank walk, marked improvements were made at both the North and South End. Mr. Ross, lessee of the North End, constructed a two-story pavilion having a total seating capacity of from eighteen hundred to two thousand, while Mr. Lillagore at the South End added to the bath houses bringing the total to three hundred and thirty.

THE SOUTH END BATHING CAMP

The year 1915 marked a new stage in the history of the South End. It was, to be sure, merely a transition period, and but a brief one. Yet, for the time at least, it made this portion of the ocean front a center of more than ordinary popular interest, presenting as it did an aspect at once

novel and attractive, and drawing with each week larger and larger numbers of appreciative visitors.

At the time of the great fire which destroyed the pavilion it naturally was felt that in this disaster Ocean Grove had suffered one of the direst calamities in its career. So near the beginning of the season that it was manifestly impossible to rebuild, or even to select and adopt plans for a

ation was promptly given to several more or less feasible expedients, out of which was finally evolved the plan for the establishment of a "South End Bathing Camp" to meet the most pressing needs of the current season.

This Camp consisted primarily of a block of small, snow-white tents, set up on the dunes for the convenience of bathers, life-lines and guards being provided for their safety. Each tent was partitioned into two com

suitable permanent group of buildings to succeed the old ones, the fire produced the utmost consternation and dismay in the minds of all concerned. Apart from the heavy financial loss, the problem of providing bathing facilities and other accommodations for residents and visitors in the entire southern section of the resort seemed a hopeless one. But earnest consider

partments, with hooks in the ridge-pole for the disposal of clothing. All were secured upon a firm wooden floor and are supplied with seats.

In addition to the bathing tents, a protected band-stand and awningshaded shelter, with seats for a larger number of people, were arranged on the eastern edge of the Board Walk, while on the other side sprang up numerous attractive booths for the sale of various kinds of refreshments, novelties, photographic supplies, and such other articles as sojourners and excursionists were likely to require for their comfort and enjoyment. Electric lights encircled and illuminated the whole inviting scene at night.

These provisions were, it is true, all of a temporary character. But just as it stood that summer, the whole little colony of tents and booths was so picturesque as well as serviceable that even the loss of the old pavilion. was almost forgotten. Here more than anywhere else was found the poetry of seashore life. The very novelty of the place added to its charm, and its simplicity appealed to many persons, especially those who, coming from crowded cities, preferred more of nature and less of art in their holiday sursoundings.

WINTER BATHING AT OCEAN GROVE

When does the surf bathing at Ocean Grove cease? Does it stop with the close of the season-if anyone can tell exactly how that word should - be interpreted? No, not exactly. It continues the year round, but of

course, not to the same extent in winter as in sum

mer.

Nevertheless,

there are some who

either do enjoy

surf bathing in

winter or think they do even when the snow covers the sand like a white blanket. And then there are others who believe that the cold sea bath is exhilarating and bene