The Baltimore County union., 1883-06-30
BOOKS AND VACATION.

The above il atext especially suited to the pres-
ent season, when schools, colleges and other in
situations Of learning either have taken or are soon
TO be given their summer vacation. II is certain-
iy q very wise provision that such respi,es have
been voueh'afed, particularly TO the young and
rising generation, from mental application aud
studious TOLL There 10 rather a homeiy but ex-
pressive adage which tells Us that "too much work
and no Plsy makes Jack a dull boy" Even 81.
Paul was told in seeming apprehension that "iOO
much learning made him mad" he having been
brought up at the feet Of fGamaliel. Whilst u may
be true that ga little learning Is a dangerous
thing" advising US to "drink deep, taste not Of
the Pierian spring." yet no real harm can come Of
attaining in all asangs the soundest wisdom and
best general information within our reach upon
all useful subjects. There IL valuable instruction
in an editorial In the Provideaee Journal appTo-
pirate to the pressn, season on "BOOks and vAea-
ton"
The editor wisely asserts "it is needed 10 supply
health and vigor to the bodies and the minds not
yet hardened to the endurance 81 constant labor,
and to restore the elasticity which may have been
too severely tried by eager ambition or the de-
nands Of the modern system Of education. In
this sense the vacation is absolutely demanded,
and 10 as necessary the provisions for health in
the sehOOi.room. But the true yaeation IL some
thing more than a rest and n pleasure, although
they are its primary and necessary substance. II
/. great mistake to suppose that all education is
to he obtained from books or even from study In
the practical affairs Of life. There 10 happily
important and unconscious one to be obtained
from the older book Of Nature, and which may be
secured with the mo,t complete relaxation Of the
mind and heaithicst exercise Of the body during
what IL called the vacation, and supposed to be
necessary waste Of time. The influence Of the
solitude Of the wood and sea, and the very calm
aspect Of Nature in any form, the impress Of its
beauty and the air Of its hardihood and energy,
arc mos, healthy educators for the mind. II
teaches the mood and power of though, more than
all the scholastic regime Of schools. or the engross-
ing trials Of business, and whoever fails Of COM
muniOn with Nature misses the most valuable
part Of an education. There are some who are
taush, 20 believe. or who aatter themselves. that
they are improving their minds by pursuing some
sort Of study, OF more frequently BY indulsing in
reading during the vacation. This Is more than
as mere distractions from the more valuable les
sons TO be learned from Nature, and are rather a
sign Of weakness in the mind, which eanno, en-
dure self.communion or furnish its own food for
contemplation. Great geniuses are not the pro-
ject Of libraries, although they are supplied BY
them with mental food, but of solitary thought
and study Of the book Of humanity and Nature !;
and IL Was pointed out by the last biographer Of
Lord MaeauIay that IL was an inherent defect in
his nature that he spent the sieepless hours Of
voyage across the Irish Channel in pacing the
deck and mechanically exercising his memory by
repeating Paraii.e Lost, instead Of feeding his
contempiatve spirit, or his historic imagination,
By communion with the voices Of the wind and
sea-"
The true dictate Of wisdom and good judgment
is, in our opinion, for all who wish to enjoy profit
able relaxation-particulariy In the hot months Of
summer-to keep their minds entirely from heavy
books or deep, perplexing thoughts Of any kind.
Il is season best adapted TO the study and en-
joyment Of Nature and Natures giories and beau
ties. In these there are lessons enough to be
learned, fresh, instructive and profitable TO mind
and body. When such vacations have ended and
students return 10 rceommenee their studies, they
can then be entered upon vigorously, PLEASANTLY
and successfully. The grandest, most charming 6
book those who have been confined 10 sehool.iife
and city life can possibly have opened to them Is
the book Of Mature, with its eOuntless beauties.