The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1856-01-03
Literary Circles.

We think it may be set down as an
indisputable fact that, as community,
we are too intensely Yankee. That is,
the Yankee as we are depicted by our
neighbors There is probably no peo-
pie in the world that allow themselves
so few holidays and seasons of relaxation
from business as do the New England
ers. The strong religious principle
which We have inherited from the stern
old Puritan fercfathers, has made it a
sort of second nature with US to observe
the Sabbath-more perhaps because we
were trained 80 to do than from any
sense of religious obligation, after all
Thank sgiving--once peculiar to New
England-has now become national
institution, though nowhere else is it
observed with that strong feeling of rev.
erence akin to the Sabbath with which
it is here. The Fourth Of July is sort
of political saturnalia, on which we ex-
pend our patriotism through fre-crack-
ers and windy speeches. Other than
these we allow ourselves ne seasons of
recreation but increasingly devote our
selves to tho strife for gain. OF course,
industry, enterprise, and economy arc
sterling virtues but would it not be
better for us-soul and body-if we
would occasionally indulge ourselves
r with season of recreation, instead Of
f allowing, as we arc very apt to do, those
c virtues aforesaid to degenerate into an
ungodly lust for wealth and a sordid
worship of Mammon We think il
would be better, even in a business
point of view. The fact is, the human
body, neither was the mind, made tt
I bear one unccasing strain upon its pow,
' ers Its nature is such that it mus
s have relaxation or it will flag, and it
; energies become paralyized and un6ttec
for the duties which it might easily &C
: complish with proper recuperation
= In advocating more frequent recur
!, renee of seasons of relaxation, we d.
= not wish to be understood, by any means
as advocating that shiftlcss idlcnes
|, which would make every day holiday
a for then they would be no holidays; bu
, we do think we might allow ourselves
- little more time for intellectual enjoy
$ ment and literary cultivation, whic
combined with the proper degree Q
= physical and mental labor would, in th
20 end make us better and wiser. Takn
re this proposition as n fact, we presum
'g we shall not srender ourself amcnabl
~ ~ to the charge of presumption if we shoul
u suggest that it would be a good idc'
e and one the carrying out of which "
|, think might furnish much pleasure,
o1 have in this village kind Of Socto
Literary Circle. This age is prcgnar
8 Of self-styled progrcss--it is an ag
m teeming with innovations, in ever
Is, branch Of science, morals and gener
ID intelligence, in the shape of spiritu
philosophy and manifestations, spirit ci
cles, socialism, " free love" circle
at &c., among cur neighbors. Then wi
u may not we, in this village, have as mu'
=. as Literary Circle We have amol
.ee US all the requisites oxcept-time! Al
k" that We might have if we would b
ar leave our manufactures, workshop
u and stores at reasonable time in q
N. evening, instead Of continuing the pra
,o- tice which is now too much the case,
be continuing at our business as long
as there is bare possibility Of making a
" .u other cent.
igs -,
ks Man is pre-emiueutly social ber
for The horrors Of solitude aud his sense
lie dependence consti ain him TO seek [
~ ~ companionship Of bis fellows. In
di. daily intercourse with the world,
seek. advice and counsel Of bis superi,