The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-08-26
Summer Recreaticlls.


N nla times the summer recreations were
attended with more difficulties than they are
at present. People had more WORK IN Se''
ting TO the springs. Railroads were not 10
existence and trave! was done By private
conyeyances chiefly. Stages in the oesih'
ninr-i. e., in the first and second decs'ue'
Of this cen,ury--were not employed great
deal. They grew gradually more popular
,,nt;l a, the time railroads we're brought 1910
use stages were the common means OF ''sve''
ling TO the springs. But until railroads were
sn,roduced travel between home and the
s,r;ngS. and the novelty and exercise OF that
,rayel in almost every instance did as much
for the improvement of the condition OF the
invalid as the mineral waters themselves did.
Bu. row this source of health IS dis.
pensed with. People leave the cities, and in
a few hours sitting in cushioned car they
are lodged in their rooms at the springs.
This convenience ard celebrity Of transition
has translated tie comforts, the luxuries,
and the fashions of city life to the summer
retreats, and save that work is aiscaI ded ana
the atmosphere Of the mountains Is purer
and cooler there is no great difference be-
tween the city and the country.
The change of life in travelling and in Nv
ing and fashion ut the springs Is not gene
rally Of great advantage 10 the springs goers
in these days. They lose the very
great benefit Of travel by the COM
mon roads in private vehicles or stages.
They lose the ever changing scenes that were
SO patiently studied and were so encbant-
ing-tney lose the delightful early morning
drive. with that glorious appetite for break
fast after fifteen miles journey-tbey know
not Tie joy OF The noon.Gay restand the pro-
found sleep at night after the iatigues OF the
day on the road. On, these indeScrbaole
pleasures and their equally inde<cri6ably
beneficial Influences W on health and the
mind. These, We repeat, were better lor
health than any of the agencies OF recreation
now.a.Gays, and restored the physical tone
of the invaded body with more certainty
and rapicity than could the waters of the
springs. With this exercise the invalid was
ripe and ready tor the waters when he
reached them, and his health was rebuilt
With rapidty and with robust energy not
known in these days.
Furthermore, the springs we're full Of
taat life which is manly and tends to
strengthen ard nourish the physical power
and the animal spirits, which are indispcnsa-
BILE to the perfection OF health. The springs
were horse markets; and the riding aud
driving OF fine horses vas characteristic
OF life at The springs. The equestrian habits
which help to develop the muscular power
and symmetry OF the body were maintained
with great spirit.
What change! Fashion and the lam
gushing habits Of city life among the
wealtby have succeeded the habits Of more
happy and mauiy days. Ladies now dress
three or four times; gentlemen set about the
saloons and cultivate that ease and apathy
which they should flee to the mountains to
get rid Of. The pale flower is seen where
the roses should bloom, and ennu', neural
gia, and cherished frebleneSs Cypress many
who should ae gay with delight, who should
fly along the roads, climb the mountains, and
make the woods ring with their merry voices.
A very great number of people are inter-
ested in this subject. Health is invaluable.
Prolonged lives of debility, and inuisposi
tons, and aches are very like prolonged
ina Of R.l NV
health is one Of the greatest blessings in life. |
Proper summer recrcations, to those who
have the mcaDs TO enjoy them, will contri- |
butte herhaps more than anything else to the
preservation of health and long life.
But that must be recreation indeed to be
valuable. II must be active, temperate, and
free. There must be none of the improper
fashionable restraints which tend TO depress
The energies ard induce the disposition to
apathy. Life must be made to approach ma
iure, and become the very opposite OF that
1lrder the confentionalisms, the customs and
6;e!s of refined and fashionable life.
We briefly alluded TO the subject few
days since, and cannot leo strongly urge
upon men of health, and those who are
~eary ard whose health is impaired, to re-
.feste themselves once q year IN free, I'M
restrained manner, having some OF the de-
lights Of nature infused into it. Camp life
is the very best for men, and plain life at the
springs, including plenty of exercise, a
plenty of fun, good, plain food, early rising
snd early retiring for ladies. Weknow that
is hard for the gentler sex, but if they can
bring themselves to follow these rules they
will never regret it.
Ladies and gentlemen: study the example of
your grand parents, initiate their habits and
simple tastes, their freedom from aflectation,
as much as you can, and you will derive last
ing benefits therefrom. The more we refine
and luxuriate our hours of travel the worse
for US, and the more we cultivate the patu-
raj feelings and manly energies the better
Cor us.