Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-05-02
Leisure Hours.


nestness in life. 1t is chief element in all
noble character, and the handspring of all
successful enterprise. We instinctively
honor the man of active energy and assdu.
Gus perseverance, and despise him who floats
through life without resolute purpose or
earnest endeavor. There is, however, such
thing as living too constantly in the seri-
Gus business of life and as a nation we are
certainly more in danger of falling into this
extreme than into the opposite one of frivol-
ity. Not that we are too earnest and ener-
getic in any work to which we set our
hands-this is hardly possible, provided the
work itself be worthy-but we lack the
faculty OF unbending, of throwing off this
serious frame of mind in our leisure hours
and giving free play to the lighter and more
graceful portions of our nature.
Many of us have no leisure worthy to be
called such. We protract our work to such
undue length, that when our weary frames
are at length released from the strain, all
power even OF enjoyment has departed, and
has left behind only an imperous demand
for entire rest. Others poison their time of
recreation 10y carrying into it the same cares
and thoughts that have engrossed their bust
ness hours, thus defeating its chief end, and
letting half their nature run to waste. Even
those who do not succeed in obtaining leis-
ure, and dislDissng business or professional
cares from their thoughts, often fail in max
ing the best use of it, by bringing to bear
upon its occupations the same grave earnest
ness that gives point and value to their la
bors. 1t is true that this may be advantage
GUS to many of our recreative employments.
Those deeply interested in art, for instance.
add to their enjoyment OF it by study and
lures, music and conversation. Domestic
life, too, which ought ever to afford the
highest and purest pleasure, has much in it
to call forth the most serious intensity of
our nature. Yet, when these are all provided
for, we still need something less exciting and
less grave, where fancy may have freer play,
where vivacity, variety, sportiveness, and
even apparent aimlessness, may prevail We
say apparent aiiDlessness for it is only appa-
rent ;-there is a real aim in thus providing
for need of our nature so frequently over
looked. We live too fast, as IA nation, and
as individuals Not only do we over-work
and over-worry in our labors, but in our
pleasures we crave too constant stimulus
Where the daily occupation is monotonous
and unengrossing, full supply of excite
ment for the leisure hours may be desirable
but where the mental powers have been
taxed to their utmost through the hours of
labor, it is absolutely necessary to health
ana happiness, tnat they DE entirely released
ior at least portloh oil the time that Is lett
IL Is hot enough that the usual amount oil
time be spent III the absolute rest OF sleep,
if every waking hour be filled to the brlm
with eager, serious occupation. 1t is not
enough that certain hours be secured, Tree
from aosoiute work, II they are stlll per-
meated with energetic thought, intense feel
ing, or exciting pleasures The mind needs
rest from effort III Its waking hours, time
when 1t may rightly lay aside It's activity
and ENJOY being acted upon by calm and
gentle Influences.
There are several ways IN which this need
may be supplied. lhey Will, OF course,
vary with the tastes and teinperaments OF
different individuals What would be ex-
ercise to one would be rest TO another;
what would soothe one would stimulate
another. Each should decide these points
ior himself, and so arrange his hours OF
leisure as to secure some tltne at least, Tree
from both care on the one hand aud excite
ment ON the other Many alnusements will
conduce to this end; tireside games, rolnps
with the httle ones, music and pictures
when sought lor their charms rather than
their flaws. Reading that Is neither heavy
nor frivolous may serve the same purpose
with those whose labors have not been sed-
entary; the daily papers, the weekly peri
odical, the healthtul and pure work OF fic-
ton Nature, III all her FORMS when wooed