Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-06-10
Our AnlusementS.


that We have 10 such thing, orif SO infor.
nation demonstrating the fact will be
gratefully received In the early days Of
settlement, as a matter of course. every
effort would naturally be directed to the
requirement Of material wealth. At such
a time, occupation and amusement would
have to be blended, the occupation furnish
ing enjoyment in the contemplation of
benefits accruing, but the qualification arts.
ing would finally be found inadequate. As
time rolled on, population increased. and
circumstances were amcliorated. there
would naturally spring up desire for so.
cial and recrcative enjoyment. We are
distinctly of opinion that as a moral agent
and as a means of social amclioration. pas
times and amusements have never been
sufficiently appreciated. In forming an
estimate Of community We ask not to
know what they do when employed, but
what they do when mt employed, as the
happiness of communities or individuals
is so largely dependent upon the Incl
dcuts Of leisure. 1t is the idle hour
that tells the tale. AS a PEOPLE, We are
singularly deficient in self amusement.
The amusement VIC get is supplied by those
who cater for public entertainment. These
observations apply to America generally.
to limited communities especially, and are
10 full force with reference to our Olympia.
With many persons, who are doubtless in
auenccd by conscientious motives, amuse.
mcnts of almost every kind,-dancing,
theatres, circuses, card playing, billiards,
and the likc,-have been so often de.
nouuced as frivolous and sinful that it has
we'll nj Oh had the effect of banishing amuse-
ments altogether from amongst U.S. IF
these good people would but take as much
trouble to inform us what amusements
might lcy;timately be INDUCED in, as
they do what to avoid it would be well, for
talk as you will, men will laugh and dance
aud sing. 1t is their nature so to do; they
have done so from time immemorial, and
will continue 80 to do to the end Of the
chapter. You may suppress but you can
not eradicate this propensity. Danish
popular amusements, leave the ground stcr.
lie, gloomy, people will supply the want
by other devices, and doubtless from this
very cause has proceeded much moral de.
moralization. In the absence of the legit.
innate, are you surprised that the illegiti-
mate is accepted, or that Objectionable con.
sequences ensue? The importance, the
value Of the leisure hour, period which
marks the character and leaves its impress,
has never been sufficiently considered, aud
hence have flowed ills innumerable. In a
well ordered community, there should be
either engagement, at work or play. If
this we're the case the Devil would not
have half the chance now afforded per-
sons would be too busy to attend to him,
for there is 80 much truth in the old adage
that " An idle mans head is the Devils
own workshop"
We know how to work, but we do not
understand sufficiently we'll how to play.
The fact is, we do not comprehend the
true philosophy Of life. Even with our
present means and appliances, we are not
half so happy as we ought to be. 1t
has been said that that man deserves we'll
of his species who causes two blades of
grass to grow where before there was but
one: equally so does that man deserve
we'll of his fellow man who adds to his hap
pincss by promoting social pastimes aud
recreations. At the present time in Olym.
pia, there is ample scope for operation in
this respect. There is great requirement
which needs to be administered to. There
are pleasures to be derived from athletic
sports, from social pastimes, from public
entertainments, from the health giving
games Of base ball, cricket, football, skit.
ties, quoits, from the exhilaration of the
dance, from exercises in vocal and instru-
mental music, from the organization of am
ateur dramatic societies, and other devices,
to which at present we are strangers, but
which, properly organized, would altogeth-
er alter the tone Of Olympiau life and add
very materially to our present enjoyments.
BURGLARY-Wel learn that the house
Of Mr.. Benz. Harmed was robbed of about
$500 in coin = few days ago, while the
family were temporarily absent. Suspi.
cion rested upon Chinaman, in the en-