Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-24
ADJUSTMENTS.
1t was said by some old poet, Mr..
Editor.

~ WAS Saiu W SoLuc Olu poet, Mr.
Editor,
"A little nonsense, now and them
Is relished by the wisest men,
If relished by such, why not lawful?
But amusements, of an innocent or i'm
proved kind, are not nonsensical. They
are, in degree, absolutely necessary
to preserve many persons from ennui,
and contracting habits OF brooding over
their cares-in short, from contracting
the horrors. Perhaps much depends
upon temperament. A highly nervous
or sanguineous individual may not need
amusements from outside influences;
and, with pleasant employment and
good digestion, with consciousness OF
doug his or her duty, may be happy.
Employment!' Aye, there's the rub.
In many cases that is tantamount to
amusement; nay, what is pleasant en-
ployment but amusement? BY amuse-
ments most persons: understand theater.
going, Dall and card playing, horse
racing, dancing parties, ETC., etc., or
some extravagant exercise of the natu-
raj powers. A moments reflection will
convince every sensible person to the
contrary. Genuine amusements are re.
freshing, not exhausting, TO the physi-
Cal and menta! powers. They DO not
curtail rest, nor tax tho brain, nerves,
nor muscles. They do not string the
bow and leave the string taut. What
delightful amusement is afforded to one
fatigued by the reader of pleasant
book. A short drive or ride among
beautiful or beloved scenery, with o
dear friend, is the sweetest sort of
amusement. Next to that is cheerful,
rollicking conversation with a chere
annie, who is intelligent, but not critical
nor censorious. Surely, one of re-
fined tastes and modest desires, in our
happy land, need net yearn vainly for
amusement.
Most of the so called amuseme nts of
the day are nothing short of dissipa.
ton. Instead of refreshing, refining
and strengthening the participant, they
wea- upon and debase him. It was an
old maxim that every sigh deducts an
hour of lifetime-every sorrow shortens
existence a positive iota. L believ 9
that is true. Persons subject to stron g
emotions seldom live long. The gold
en- mean is the best as to conduct as
well as condition. There is q great
deal OF false sentiment in regard to
amusements, which experience corrects.
Our young people however, are slow to
listen to lessons of experience. They
all wish to see the folly of it them
selves. Thus the world grows better
slowly. The good time is coming,
however, and if not in our day, will
surely glorify the future. We may ex-
claim with one of old, How long, o
Lord, how long?" but we Can not
doubt that when all shall kgow Him,
from the least to the greatest" the con-
victions of his creatures as to what will
really contribute to their real happiness
will be plainly discerned.-MINERvA,
Holme Lodge, HUI Top.
The Emperor and Empress of Ger
many see each other as little as posi-
BILE. But each year they meet at Baden,
when the Emperor celebrates the birth
day of Augusta. Considering what
the relations Of the worthy pair are to
each other, the festivities that took
place year or two ago on their golden
wedding" were as absurd, says London
Truth, as were the gushing articles
which appeared on that occasion in the
English newspapers. in which the oc.
casion was improved in order to point
the moral of the blessings of domestic
felicity. It is somewhat curious how
few monarchs do get on with their
wives. Emperors and expresses and
kings and queens seldom adore each
other. Between the Emperor of Ger
many, the Emperor of Austria, the EN-.
peror of Russia. and the King Of Italy,
it would be difficult to award the palm
as the worst husband, but it would be
still more difficult to fnd-so far as
their wives are concerned-four worse
husbands in Europe or America.
The other day about noon boy went