New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-01-06
The Philosophy of Labor.

How TO make Industry attractive, 10 one OF our
present social problems Work Ia a human necessity,
and exercise In necessary 10 health ldleness ie AS
a curse Everybody wishes TO be actively engaged At
something but s nevertheless true that protrscted
and solitary labor Is wearsome, whether IL tasks our
muscular powers or not. We do not love toll and
irudzerysnd very apt to think that some other
occupation would suit us better than tue one IN which
we are engaged
But there are certain conditions tina, render all kinds
Of labor delightful When man mas passion tor any
particular work he pursues with srdor and pleasure
The author writes hour alter hour with sustaining
enhusasm-the artist works hard and long a. his pic
ture or statue-the gardener who loves his employ
msnt never gets tired.
Butts 10 be observed thar all these lssors have
other pleasant eementtnst Of variety. The author 10
constantly producing something new-the artist 10 en-
gagged in various portions Of bis work and bringing
them 10 perfection-the gardner hiss stle world OF
objects under bis care and he sees their progress from
day 70 day.
Beside enthusiasm and variety there IL smother con
diion Of pleasant attractive labor and that "a soci
ETY.. Work IS always pleasant and easy where many
persons can Join together especially where men and
women engage In H. urcountry ie gives Us many
Illustrations OF this principle.
For instance there Is not much harder work than 10
81, down alone and husk corn hour AFTER hour ye.
what Is pesssnter than huskingi Rolling logs and
lfting timber hard wors, but log rolling or raising
Is festival What monOtonous and uresome Task II
10 pare apples and prepare them tor drying yer what
rustic scene i nicer than PeTiss soss
We may draw Illustrations rom our pleasures aud
srnusemenis II were - 20 into aroom alone and
dance al By himself Tor four or Eve hours be would be
very much atg1ed, and would demand good wages :
but give the man liile music and some ssreea
bic company and he viii not only dance ak ho1rs
without thinking Of fatigue, bat very willing 70 psy
good day wages for the privilege.
There not many kinds Of work harder than ro"
ng boat; but give man genial eonPsnicns me
scenery and pleasant excursion, and ne vii never
think Of fatigue Dragging nfs-englne through the
streets, working the machine and nghtng IRE, cal
forth great muscular exertion yet how noby "a u per
formed without wages by men who are melted 81 en-
thusas cheered by association and entced by variety
There IS no kid Of exsrti0n that IS not tresome y
inonOtony and solitude there is zone mat cannot De
made delightful by variety and social enjoyment; snd
il sdd 10 these tbs spin, Of rivalry Or honorable
gOnpetitlou. we md erthusiasnl and pleasure.
What kind Of labor tssks the powers Of exertion
more than game Of cricket Yet cricket Is play, BE-
cause i combines association ard competition hes?
inz and moving msfches have similar excitement
To Europe the harvest time ard the vintage are sea
.ous Of JOY and fsstiviiy though they Involve the
hardest labor o. the year The vintage especially -
great festival. Men women. and children work from
morning I'll night day after day gathering the grapes
and carrying them - the wine press Ladies aud gen
ueen rom the cities % witness and JON In the
labor The laborers sing together IN chorus, and one
group % another Al the wine press q stacn'
ed lille band Of music for there the work - hsrdes.
but the strongest young fellows leap into the press
with their naked feet ard dance the red VINE oVt OF
the bursting grapes. The labor would Dc isfnoiy
IA. sg.ng without these accessares 0Gi win inen 10
mere sport
Chitrep are never tired Of their games though they
involve great exertion But obge boy 20 pisy alone
or 10 game Zen hours day sad IL would Dc
Nov us., 1. wanting 20 make Industry attractive
Give variety society and rivalry, and all work q but
play i no. this the solution Of the problem