The ancients, particularly the Athenians, regarded swimming as
indispensable; and when they wished to designate a man who was fit for
nothing, they used to say, “he cannot even swim,” or “he can neither
read nor swim.” At many seaports, the art of swimming is almost
indispensable; and the sailors’ children are as familiar with the water
as with the air. Copenhagen is perhaps the only place where sailors are
trained by rules of art; and there, this exercise is more general and
in greater perfection than elsewhere. It may here be observed, that it
is not fear alone that prevents a man swimming. Swimming is an art that
must be learnt; and fear is only an obstacle to the learning.