Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-01-23
OCCUPATION for Winter Evenings


pels us to hug the friendly fireside, would
it not be the part of wisdom to seek a
proper employment wherewith to begulle
the otherwise tedious hours There are
Mt least six months in each year that
majority of the people of New England
have nothing to do of their evenings
and which too many occupy IN loh-
inc Iistlessly before the bright blaze OF
the huge log fire, or listening to the roar
of the storm as it sways the branches OF
the tall old trees that surround their
dwelling, or beats with gentle tap
against the window pane. This Is IN too
manv instances the case. Old and young
are after the hard days work is done, too
apt to retreat beneath the sheltering root,
and pass their time in nervous idleness,
or in some silly amusement which brings
no GOOD to them, nor imparts it TO others.
This is the case not only among the far
ming population, but it is so in our cities
and villages. So with the ploughboy
so with the merchant and the mechanic.
We speak from experience, and have
knowledge whereof we affirm" Ex-
perience," says the old adage, . is dear
school, and fools will learn in no other.
That is the school in which zee have been
taught, and we presume many OF our
readers will acknowledge being our class
mate. But, seriously, would it not be
much more profitable to us in after life,
to spend the time in reading some stand
ard historical, or scientific work, at home,
than as instanced? Our voice is for a
historical society, library, a lyceum, or
all of them; and we are of opinion that
if each town in this county, or in this
state, had either, there would be less loaf
ing around stores, bar rooms, shoe shops,
printing offices, and elsewhere, than there
is now. A counter impulse would then
be given to society.
How many institutions of this nature
are there in Orleans county? Possibly
there may be one in every town, save
Irasburgh. Certain we are there is none
here. If other places have them, how
well are they attended? Does one half,
or even one tenth, of the population at
tend them. There is not one town II
the county, unless it be the sparsely pop
ulated one of Westmore, but that IS abb
to maintain one or more lyceums and Ii
braries, and could if all would turn GU
make the former interesting, while at tn
same time it would be great source
of improvement to all. While it de
veloped the minds of those who partici
pated in it, it would keep them from con
tracing habits and of falling into those
errors over which themselves and pa
rents would in after years have occasion
to lament.
To returnt to Irasburgh. Let US eithe
have a historical society, or debatin
school, during the remainder of the win
ter; let each individual turn out and a
tend it, not once, but constantly, and on
word for it, there will soon be an intel
est awakened in community that will NJ
soon die away.
We have been induced in part to tax
up this subject, from the many observ'
tions made by elderly people, who con
plain that the rising generation are tc
much given to frivolous amusement, an
are little inclined to partake of the MOI
solid realities of life. One man, in til
purity of his own conceited soul, denouI
ces dancing and dancing schools in mo
unmeasured terms, and stigmatises IL
gentleman who frequents them as libe
tine,and ranks the lady among prostitute
Another groans in spirit because of
bowling alley, and out of personal spi
to the proprietor, is ready to move heavC
and earth for its suppression. No,
while we admit that balls, dancing school
bowling alleys, &c, are not the most be-
efcial things to society, we as freely col
fess that they are not quite so horrible
many staid and sober people imagine
We do not think either so worthy
to call for legislative aid to uphol
or so vile as to demand the military ar
to suppress them. We make these r
marks, not because we wish to count
nance either-especiaily the latter-b
to invite those who object to them.
furnish substitute. While promine
pillars Of the church wink at the one Al
tacitly give their consent to the other.
will be entirely inconsistent to arrai.
those who do not profess better things. f
any very gross immortality. Let Il
aged set the youth a worthy exampI
and they will follow where age and no
or lead the way.
Many a young man acquires the hal
Of drinking, chewing tobacco. smok;n