The Joys of Nude Sleeping

Investigation into the sleeping habits of a nation not only provides a fascinating sociological study but gives clues to the progressiveness or backwardness of the people concerned. It so happens that the results of some such investigations are to hand. The British as might be expected, not only refuse to sleep in the raw – they even put on clothes to go to bed! A probe into the sleeping habits of Members of Parlament for instance, showed that over 90% of the denizens of that worthy establishment wore nightshirts, bed-caps and bedsocks at night! One might of course, object that British Members of Parliament are old, dull and stodgy individuals at their best. But the picture all over Britain seemed to follow the same pattern.

The rigours of the climate (or lack of central heating, or both) were said to account for the men's night attire while the prevalence of a sixteenth century Puritan moral code among the miners and lower classes explained the womens' calico shifts. France (according to ace British B.B.C. commentator Jack de Manio) has opposite habits. Women "are allowed" pyjamas and "baby-doll" outfits. About 20% dispense with the bottom portions of these garments while 10% sleep nude. Frenchmen are fonder of the nude and 90% of them sleep in the raw. Germany failed to give much evidence of nude sleeping. But there seems to be some dressing up in that country, too, even if it doesn't bear the stamp of a Cruickshank print. Pyjamas, billowing nightshirts, baby-doll outfits, black briefs for teenagers with luminous embroidery which will "bring happiness and sunshine into your night hours" (see the advertisement), and, of all things, "night brassieres" have found favour in the land of the Teuton. A certain number, it appears, sleep naked covered ascetically enough by a woollen blanket.

But sleeping in the raw is a habit indulged in by many in all countries and not necessarily organised naturists. The advantages are seen at a glance. The body can perspire freely and the skin can breath freely. The warmth which exudes from the body can ventilate in a natural manner instead of being restricted by textiles. The practice has proved itself of value in every climate and at every season. The spur to health (activation of skin-breathing) can be praised without fear of contradiction. The papers do not speak about this side of things very much because nudity (no matter in what connection) is something mildly indecent and our noble Fleet St. journalists avoid anything that might corrupt their pure minds.

Another reason is the fact that many of these journalistic hacks depend for their bread and butter on the advertisements placed by night-wear manufacturers and who would want to offend the producer of such a boon to culture and civilisation as the "French Nightwear" so often advertised? Perhaps some of our readers have had some interesting experiences with or without sleeping attire? Contributions and letters on this subject are welcome at all times. Who can help us to better sleep? Who can help us to snuggle closer into the arms of Morpheus? Remember that when Shakespeare characterised sleep as "The chief nourischer at life's feast" he never mentioned garments in connection with it!