Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-07-19
Contrasts.

" nat so grateful 10 the parcncu tdIlu
and forming fruits as gentle showers-to
the tired weary soul as absolute quiet-to
the feyerish and thirsty as drink-to the
famished as tood-to the batte-stained as
tranquility-to the night watcher as sleep2
/ Such are the ordering gof lives that con-
trasts make their chief enjoyment. We
plunge deeper and deeper into a new hook
till exhausted by absorption, we turn the
simplest hand skill as relief We learn IN
social converse from morn TO eve, taxing
wit. fancy, memory and research to keep a
steady fame Our duties completed, how
We spring to the open air to recover bal
ance Of power The child gambols to
repletiou, then drops into Growler's arms,
at his mothers feet, or wherever his little
head can improvise pillow. The lawyer
crazed with his briefs, grayitates to the
theatre Tor relaxation. Concerts operate
according to the pre-occupation Of the lis
teners. They enliven, inspire, elevate
they meet Us half way, fall in with our
moods, or literally transform them
As general rule, idloness is net ne
a-l-''y, 'hnuuh there are conditions and
degrees when II Is imperative. sualiy,
alteration Of base answer the purpose The
extended walk to-day is naturally followed
by close writing to-m0rrow-heavv house
work by light sewing or mepding
sition by some mechanical exercise.
Released from cx act lines, We instinc-
lively DO all this; it Is saving means.
After long imprisonment, could aught be
finer than a stroll or ride in the country,
luxuriant with foliage, periumed with new
hay, blossoms and early berries 1t is
elysium, and, for the moment, all that We
can compass How busy the chirping
birds, picking up appropriate nutriment
for their youug-what quick motion in the
squirrel as he almost outstrips the lightning,
what grades OF size in calves, heifers. kids.
chickens, ducks--constantly recurring, yet
beautiful as the rising sun, and equally as
acceptable. We do not satiate with the
neediul-who turns away with unaduterat-
cd milk, sweet bread and delicious butter
Only the pampered who have lost honest
appetites The sagacious will see to It'll
that they preserve them, and also a relish
for simple pleasures.
Every step affords opportunity for
observation. The street car is teeming
with lessons. and constantly photographs
character The sunny as well as the
peevish, sullen, morose, disobliging, all get
delineated The thoughtfuness of the
young, the politeness of the elders, the
cooling and prattl le Of the juveniles, attract
attention, and point moral There is the
extended file of workmen going to their
routine task, their hour at noon their
return at night--signs of loving care are
often about them-the shining kettle, the
wholesome food, the neat patch on the
garments Now and then, if near, the
wife conveys the meal herself, and joins
in the repast. The crowds on the pave
ment have each history We read them
as we do pages in volume-the same
humanity in all, different stages OF growth,
varied outward conditions, health, strength,
prediction. In the gardens and windows
how much to admire of nature and art
between the blocks of houses what radiance
and outbursts at dawn and twilight-and
our bit of sky overhead, how spangled DER
is that The here and now, how much they
enfold Why hooc our eyes, bandage our
ears, and 90 moping about trying to imag-
inc what the hereafter will be
The present good is positive, and to
ignore III Is lDgTdtlIuue ANU HdSlC LUIS |
is part of heaven already commenced. |
The very best employment of this state is |
the most philosophical preparation for any
and every other The world is a vast lab
oratory, full of forces, materials, tools, for
our several needs. We are to seek, find
and convert them to fitting ends. Facul- |
ties are our levers and magiciaDs. Their
exercise brings delight commensurate with
their success. One obstacle removed,
another wheels into view This field ex
plored, one lies beyond. There is no
standstil
The very highest methods is the great
desideratum. How economize time and
power-how make exchanges over the
whole earth to the clearest advantage
Then the immense moral questions. How
are these to be met We wish to termi |
nate war forever, and inaugurate universal
peace We desire to make intemperance
disreputabIe and obsolete. We demand
justice irrespective of sex, at the ballot |
box, in the colleges, universities, among
the professi0ns-we seek to create an hon.
orabe recognition of labor and ask fair
share of its advantages and receipts-we
advocate homes for all, and strive to devise