New-York tribune., 1884-01-09
TIE GOSPEL OF RELAXATION

When Mr.. Herbert Spencer read to Amer-
cans his benignant lecture on the danger and
folly of overwork and the urgent necessity for
relaxation his bent form, pallid face and feeble
voice indicated that he had Systematically dist
regarded tho excellent advice which he was
showering upon others. Like the Scotch
preacher, he was laboriously humping himself
over the backs of others for persstently over
working and neglecting opportunities for rest
and recreation. Yesterdays cable dispatches
contained two striking illustrations of the reck-
lessness with which Englishmen exhaust their
physical resources by OverwOrk. Mr.. William
Black is reported to be suffering from extreme
nervous debility induced by literary labor. His
condition is critical, and his physicians have
forbidden him even to talk about his work for
the present The companion victim of over
work is Sir Arthur Sullivan. Having only
limited time in which to furnish the music for
"Princess Ida" he exhausted himself by the
intensity of his labor. Finding his physical
and mental powers unequal to the strain of
rapid composition and laborious Iehearsals, he
had recourse to opium. Work at high pressure
under artificial stimulus rapidly depleted his
vital energy. Weak, emacated and tremulous,
he was dragged before the foOtlights with Mr..
Gilbert, but tottered OFF the stage only to fall in
a swoon behind the scenes.
Such instances as these prove that the gospel
of relaxation needs to be preached to English
men as well as to Americans. The tension OF
mercantile life may be less noticeable there than
here, and ordinary business pursuits may not
be beset with corresponding cares and anxieties.
The man of business in England may work as
arduously as his American brother, but as he is
less inclined to be apprehcnsve and solicitOus
regarding the results of his labor, he is more
fortunate in escaping its debilitating effects
In intellectual pursuits the result seems to be
different. In public life, also Engllshmen
exhaust their physical strength more readily
than Americans. At the beginning of the last
session of Parliament the Premier was at
Cannes recruiting his health under strict orders
from his physicians not to do anything more
exciting than to gossip about politics over cup
of tea. The Chancellor of the Exchequer was
also suffering from illheath as the result of his
labors in the War Office. Before the close of
the session the leader of the Opposition and his
ambitious rival, Lord Randolph Churchill, were
both compelled to abandon their seats for
Scd>Ou Ill COlSttli vi llliJdllOh h'NiNii' AN
autmnal recess ordinarily finds Il large
majority of the members Of the lower House
iaded and oyerwOrked, a result due in some
measure to the continuous strain Of late hours
and all-night sessions In American public life
the processes of legislation and administration
are less exhausting, and the hours set apart for
debate in the National and State capitols are
chosen with greater discretion. Recesses and
adjournmclts afford statesmen and politicians
ample leisure for relaxation, ii they are tempted
at any time to sacrifice their health in patriotic
service.