The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-01-11
The Leisure Time OF Boys.

sons tllat gives hlm much trouble and
some anxiety. We allude to the
period of boyhood, when exuberance
of spirits and thoughtlessness are at
their height, and when the studies
imposed by school discipline are en-
tirely insufficient to find adequate
employment for their too active minds
and bodies. And it is not possible, or
even desirable, to increase the already
considerable application of all well
bred boys to the study Of books and
the requirement Of learning. II is
not to be wished that Il youth of
twelve should grow up to be con-
ceited wOuld-be pedant of twenty,
and a boOkworm of thirty years OF
age. Thus the task of finding fitting
occupation for the leisure hours of n
boy is no incOnsidcrable one, as few
pursuits into which Il boy would
plunge with eagerness are suited for
putting in the way of so much impul-
sivencss and want of consideration rs
ostboys possess. The question, then,
Of how to amuse our boys, is one Of
paramount importance and difficulty.
We would suggest to the many
parents who have been perplexed
with this difficulty, to give their lads
every opportunity Of acquiring Il me-
chanical trade. The industry and
ingenuity of Il boy Of average ability
may easily be made to furnish him
with a never-tailing source of amllsc-
mcnt OF the best order. The boy who
can produce or make something al
ready begins to feel that he is some
body in the world, that achievement
OF result is not Il reward reserved for
grown people only. And the educa-
ton OF mind, eye, and hand, which
the nse of tools and mechanical ap-
plianccs furnishes is of great and
real value, beyond the good resulting
from the occupation of leisure time.
Having nothing to do is rs great II
snare to the young as it is to the full
grown and no greater benefit can be
conferred on youths than to teach
them to convert time now wasted, and
often worse than wasted, into Il plea
SAINT means of recreation and mental
improvement.
We say, therefore, to all parents,
provide your boys with mechanical
apparatus and tools. There is no
greater pleasure to most boys than
the handling Of a tool; and many
great men and ingenious inventors
look back with gratitude and delight
to the day when they were first allow
od to use the lathe, the saw, aud the
plane.
The expense Of Il visit or two to Il
theatre will furnish a family of boys
with alacrity, and which will instruct
them in two most important branches
of education, namely, quickness of
eye and docility Of hand. And, fur
thcr, ii will develop any latent genius
they may have for the mechanical
and constructive arts, which are
now more than ever, the most impor-
tant means to the progress of man
kind. The boy, whose time and
mind are now occupied with marbles
and kites, may be a Watt, Morse, or
Il Bessemcr in emJryo; and it is cer-
tainly an easy matter to turn his
thoughts and musings into channel
which shall give full scope to his fac
uIties for, to any lad, the use of me-
chanical tools is the most fascinating
of all occupations. And for boys
whose spare hours are spent in more
objectionable ways than the innocent
games of childhood, it is of tenfOld
importance that all fathers should
recognize the existence of Il simple
and attractive substitute.
And if the boy has not in him the
germ of great benelactOr to his race,
and if his tastes and morals are eX-
ceptional the training of the intellect
in some handicratt will have great
and salutary influence ON his charac-
ter. As logic and mathematics have
Il value beyond accuracy in argument
and the correct solution of problems,
in that they teach men the habit of
using their rejecting powers SYSTEM
atically, so carpentry, turning, and
other arts are of high importance,
even If the boxes and silk spoOls pro-
duced are of little value. These Oc-
cupations teach boys to think, to pro-
ceed from initial causes to results, and
not only to understand the nature
and duty of the mechanical powers,
but to observe their effects; and to ac-
quire knowledge by actual expert
ment, which is the best way of learn
ing anything. All the theories culled
out of books leave an impress on the
mind and memory; which is slight
compared to that of the practical ex-
pcrience of the true mechanic.
Our advice is, to all who have the
great responsibility of the charge Of
boys, give them q lathe, or set of
or even blacksmith's
tools. Give their minds turn to-
ward the SOLE, and useful side of life.
You will soon see the result in increas-
ed activity of their thinking capabili-
ties, and the direction of their ideas
toward practical results; and, still
more obviously, i'm the avoidance of
idle mischief and nonsense Ito omit
lll reference to absolute wickedness
md moral degradationl, which are,
to too great an extent, the pastimc of
he generation which is to succeed us.
rhc future of the world il already
,Own, and is springing up in our
children: is it not worth while to be-
stow little thought on the cultiva-
ion of a growth SO important to so
.icty, and so easily influenced for
good or evil:-Scientifc Amcricda.
The DIFFICULTY OF COMBINATION.
Why are things not improved?
Why are fOllies not swiftly removed?
You convince an individual-any
lumber of individuals-Of the fool.
shness of a folly; but you cannot
,ring these convinced people to act in
concert. Combination Is very difficult;
md social improvements must always
,e very hard to make in large com.
nunities. 1t Is not difficult to imagine
community every individual mem.
yer of which shall be thoroughly con-
,inced of the fOOlishness of some folly
,,b;oh ho or aho oom mits dai1v Nav