Note 22 — Chapter VIII

The article was printed with an editorial note: “Here’s a series of inspiring bath hour thoughts suggested by H. L. Mencken’s discovery, through official channels, that America’s first bathtub was built in Cincinnati and put in operation on December 20, 1842. Adam Thompson, its founder, got the idea on his visit to England, where Lord John Russell had started the custom of bathing fourteen years before. So, if any of the next best authors spring a freshly tubbed Englishman on you in a story of the revolution, you’ll know he’s phony.”