if i had come upon them in the midst of a discreet copse somewhere , at either hellwick or merriweather , i would , like bladud and his leprous swine , think them a most desirable addition to the property , and would not hesitate to repair to them with regularity ; no , it is not the baths , but their accoutrementsthe ungainly dress , the awkwardness of ascending and descending , even with assistanceand the attendants themselves , who despite their solemn countenances , must surely be forced to retire hastily on occasion , in order not to break forth into unseemly gusts of mirth at the spectacle presented by some of their floundering charges .