The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-09-20
ANU Sements at Fairs.

journal.
ANU sements at Fairs.
The descendants Of the Puritans either in
accordance with the traditions of their
fathers, or from their own settled convictions,
are rather disposed to look coldly upon .holi-
days and all days of recreation; and conse-
quently upon the games, sports and amuse-
ments that are usually associated with them.
1t would not have availed much to have
quoted Horace to them OF their fathers, as
he would only have been denounced as
heather poet; but we can hardly see how
they could avoid admitting the force of the
recognition which the Bible gives, to harm-
less and wholesome amusements.
Common sense and instinct settle this
question in the same way; for as children
never have to be taught to play, but instinct
lively engage in their numberless sports, and
only suffer as they are deprived of them, so
children Of larger growth find from dear
bought experience that the overworked mind
and body need not only rest, but recreation
and those capitalists always receive the larg-
est returns who not only give their opera
tives liberal opportunities for relief from la
Dor, but actually supply the stimulus and en-
couragement to those enjoyments which they
could not well obtain for themselves.
We must in fact regard it as settled beyond
the need of argument, that there must be
some spice mingled with the sober and solid
ingredients of this life; hard work must be
toned and tempered by soft and gentle appli-
ances; and yet it is true that many amuse-
ments cannot be admitted within the limits
ofreinement or respectabiity, and that none
of them should haze precedence, or claim the
rights of primogeniture, in any real, earnest
life. About all that remains to be done in
every circle of society is to winnow the wheat
from the chat, and 10 introduce the enter
taiDment, always at the right time and
place.
In these practical times of ours it. would
hardly do to make business of pleasure,
and in the earnest pursuit Of it to devote
successive days TO sports and plays; thus re-
viving something like the jousts and tourna-
ments of the Knightly age-nor would it be
in accordance with clear and philosophical
comprehension Of the subject. That idea of
the relations of labor and recreation, which
separates them as it were into distinct prov
inces, and bounds them by division walls, is
certainly based upon miscOnception of
the harmonious adjustments really exist
ing between them. Many persons entertain
ing these erroneous views, apply themselves
diligently and continuously almost through
the year to their business; and then when
with the same close application to rigid
round Of recreation, thus making a toll o.
pleasure. Rather in every task, at appropri-
ate intervals, should there be something skill
fully sandwiched that will tighten and
brighten its burden and monotony.
So far as public occasions are concerned,
it seems proper that state and national holi
days should be surrendered to the mirth
and pleasure-loving people-unless we except
those days especially devoted to religious
observances. Foreigners visiting this coun-
try always notice the lack of pure and
simple days of recreation, marked by entire
abstinence from labor, and attribute certain
hard lines in our national character to this de-
ficiency. What time then shall we take from
the calendar of labor and transfer to that OF
recreation in order that the balance of pow
er may be suitably adjusted? Or can we adorn
and illuminate some existing organization or
institution by annexing thereto some new
holiday with all its mirth and gayety? Were
we to propose to engraft some or any class
of entertainments such as we have referred
to, upon our well known and established
literary, political or religious organizations,
which have fixed days for their special OBJ
jects; as for instance conference, commence
ment or mass meeting; we should be in
formed at once that the proposition was in
congruous and inadmissibe, and to the reas-
onableness of this, our own good sense would
give assent Ought the same reply to be
returned, were similar request
made to the managers Of an agricultural ex-
hibtion? These developments as they may
be termed of the nineteenth century, have
not attained full andsymnetricai proportions,
or reached their highest degree of usefulness.
They contain however the germs of future
promise for the agricultural community, and
even now with their admitted imperfections
deserve their name of Farmers Institutes
and to all diligent students are profitable
schools of instruction.
Entertaining therefore high sense and
dignity even, of such agencies; and solic-
itous to promote their full development
and complete usefulness we neverthe-
less conceive that it is appropriate
and desirable to mingle here the useful and
agreeable and to give some place at every
Fair and cattle show to healthful and ration.
a, amusements. If there were but one class
of persons present, as ordinarily at the
special occasions before referred to; or were
| the attention Of the farmers in attendance
occupied with constant succession of exhi.
billions or instructive experiments, then we
| should say "et not different elements be in
terminged." 1t is however, well known
| that agricultural exhibitions would not be
financially sustained, if they were dependent
upon farmers alone, and it is also to be ad
mitted that large number of those present
have 10 interest in the progress and improve
of agriculture. A great majority of the Wis
| itors at every Fair, is made up of young peo'
| pie, released for the time from the confine
ment of school, the shop and the dull round
ofhome life. To them there is nothing new
or attractive in the display of animals, ant
implements and productions with which
they are more or less familiar; or at any rate
their attractions are soon exhausted, ant
then they endeavor to entertain themselve
with amusements of their own getting up
We think it is wise Gin the annual pro
gramme) to make special providing for thi
large class. The labors of the harvest arr
over, the long and dull winter approaches
let them see that the farmers life is not al
drudgery, that this is his own holiday, ant
that while much here may be learned, NOR