As already mentioned, ablutions are in great favour in Montalluyah, and
bathing is in constant use. At a certain period of the year--about six
weeks in the whole--our boys are made to bathe every morning in the open
sea, into which they are taught to leap from adjacent rocks. Having been
told off according to their strength and capabilities, they are
gradually led to higher and higher rocks, till at length they become
accustomed to jump from a vast height with ease and without fear, and
thus to dive in the sea.
When there is a timid boy, six or seven of the bravest are selected to
accompany him. They are directed on no account to urge him to jump off
the rocks, or to taunt him for not doing so, but to let him act as he
pleases. If he does not imitate their example by jumping off the rock,
the overlooker who has the care of the party will say, "As you have not
bathed from the rock, you had better bathe below;" and the boy is then
sent to bathe with the younger ones from the beach. Ere long, of his own
accord, he becomes desirous to imitate the braver boys of his own age;
though I have known twelve or more mornings to elapse before the higher
leap has been attempted.
When at last the boy has resolved to jump from the rock, great care is
taken neither to praise him too much nor to reproach him with
awkwardness. On his return to the school, he is examined by the doctor,
to see if his nerves have received too great a shock, and directions are
given accordingly. After a time all traces of timidity vanish, and
numbers of children have thus been cured of their first aversion to jump
from great heights into the sea.
No boy is allowed, under any circumstances, to taunt another with any
weakness or failing; and, consequently, the boy himself scarcely knows
that it is fear which has prevented him from doing the same thing as his
companions.
Every day throughout the year the boys are required to take a bath
either in the sea or at the institution, unless the doctor orders the
contrary.
Besides the consideration of cleanliness and its effect on the
complexion and health, the water used contains iron, which in our
climate is of itself very beneficial to the system.