Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1871-04-11
puRsUrT OF -AmusEMENTs.

Oh Lu6 pEGS6uk Gao oodShe Ses
inventions, the whole thing would be
very much simplifled. But a current
of water choked In II place will lind
vent in another. For the things for
hidden by tradition new substitutes are
discovered, and the hilarious spirits OF
youth will find modes Of diversion.
The old statutes and sumptuary regu-
lations were evaded, and such as still
are, are not observed any better. Mis-
chievous, ~fun-loving ingenuity keeps
the letter and sets the intent OF the
rules, whether ancient or modern, at
defiance. The sensible view Of the
subject seems to be this-that In n sec
ondary matter, like indulgence Of rec
reatiou mot of itself OF a harmful
c~haracters she that doubts Is con-
demned already" The question must
be settled by every person for himself,
In the forum of conscience. Before
that tribunal, in these things Of them
selves Indifferent, a persons doubts
are adverse witnesses. When there Is
no stronger reaso for doing a thing
than the inclination or desire to do 1t,
if conscience interposs objections, the
safe way is to let the thing alone be-
fore IL Is meddled with. In matters OF
Importance, where n must act one
way or the other, the doubts and
reasons on both sides must be weighed,
and action had accordingly. But In so
simple and i%noffensive a thing as q
game of croquet, or a quadrille in the
family circle to the music of the piano,
both Of which have recently been
called to account, the case may be
summarily disposed of by turning 1t
out of court. Yet the person who
avoids an amusement because Of doubts
OF its propriety, should not assume to
Judge others who have no such scru-
Piles. The whole case may be stated In
a brief compass. Life Is q serious
matter. Its duties are or should be
our occupations. Its amusements are
our relief and recreation. No caSuts-
try is required to decide In so obvious
n case rs to the relative Importance Of
duties and amusements. The latter
never should be permitted to become
the end and aim Of life, nor should the
talents and capacity given for useful
ness be wasted in frivolity. Neither,
OH the othor hand, should such m UNI
RENTED strain be kept or our faculties
n 5 to wear out mind and body, and
defeat, by over exertion, the very aims
Of life. Not a few of those who are
classed, and justly, among the bene-
factors Of the race, have shortened
their lives and diminished their useful
ness by undue exaction upon their
own powers. And at this point 1t may
be proper to observe that there are
not a few persons classed among
martyrs to duty, who, If martyrs at
all, are martyrs to their own selfish
pleasures. They are reputed to avoid
all amusement, when, In fact, they
never court anything but their own
inclinations all their lives. Inordi-
nately devoted to a craft or profession,
or to the pursuit OF some hobby, they
follow the amusement most acceptable
to them, disguised under the specious
name Of study, discovery or business.
They are rs fairly amenable to the
charge of wasting their time as those
are who openly follow amusement
under its proper name. In the conduct
Of life, each individual has not only
his or her own conscience to consult.
but the consciences Of others. To the
remark made above, that sedate and
austere people should hesitate to con-
denim those who have not the like
scrupleS about amusements with them
selves, 1t may be added that those who
are free from those scruples should not,
In the liberties they take, carelessly
disturb the scruples of others. Per-
hlps the whole subject rests on intui-
ton rather than argument, and is a
filter theme for the decision Of women
than of men. OF one thing we may
be sure, that wives and mothers and
sisters are, as a general rule. much
sounder on questions Of morals and
propriety than their male protectors"
The name Of protectors Is with the
men the fact and exercise Of social
protection Is really with the women.
Their tact and intuition are safe guides
in social matters; and If the Difference
which Is assumed by men toward
women were more n thing Of fact and
less a thing Of p~retence, amusement"
would not be such q word of terror rs
with many moralists it is. In the old
times, before temperance" was a pub
lie topic, q shrewd preacher, touching
on the subject incidentally, told his
hearers "they might drink all their
wives poured out for them, II they
would not drink at the invitation Of
anybody else" The general subject
of amusement, in all its aspects, may
be safely committed to them also.
Anything which a yirtuous woman
will countenance or share In, Of her
W convictions, and unpersuaded by
others, will usually be not very far
from proper. and mostly be right so
far rs the morale Is concerned.
A SHAKER Elder in Vermont comes
out strong for female suffrage. He e1-
horted his hearers to withhold their