The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-02-28
>s1UMoR AND HuMoR1srs.
Through Msa.l


 People are occasionally surprised at papers axe going to the demnitioa how- VOWS. in obscure publications. The truth is exactly the reverse. Ten years ago, the only prominent publications of this class were the Detroit Free PIess and Burlington Havkeye, with a com bined circulation of perhaps 40 900. To- day, we have PeckS S4a, accorded by Rowelps directory circulation of over 100 900; zsxas SJni.gJ, over So 900 ; Detroit Free Press, over 5oyooo; Burling- ton Havkeye, 70 900 ARKANsAw TRAv- ELER. 5 900; Philadelphia Cal, E 900, and dozen or more which are younger or devote only portion of their space to original humor, while every great daily paper and many of the most prominent literary publications devote considerable space to selected humor. The patent insides of nearly all country weeklies are largely made up of selections from the best of the humorous journals, and the facts are such as prove the statement we are about to make, that to- day, there are 900 readers of humor where there was but one ten years since.
 Humor is the most popular of all liter ature, and justly so. It is that element of sunshine which is necessary to mental and moral health. We never find a laughing, jolly fellow committing suicide or murder, nor does the man who is feeling gay and happy, harbor immoral thoughts. No man ever look k;s own life in humorous mood. It rs brooding and sleeplessness that drives men to sui. eide, and any reputable physician will endorse our declaration that if a man can laugh heartily for fifteen minutes be- fore retiring, he will enjoy restful sleep. When the mind is weighed down by the cares of business, something to relieve 1t of its burden of thought and lead it into more peaceful and quiet paths, is neces- sary. At such a moment, a copy of some sprightly paper is worth a ton of physic, for physic cannot purge the brain of burning thoughts, while reading scme- thing light and airy and pure. fills the darkened chambers of the mind with sunshine and drives the ghosts ofimagin- ation out. No two thoughts can exist in the brain at once. Darkness and light are quantities that do not mix Rgloom fills every recess, when the light comes | to occupy its tenement, light alone will | remain. If the happy thought once en- ters. gloom must find another home.
 The men who are constantly endeavor- ing to ridicule humoris,s and create the that humor is on the decline, are men who once aspired to excellence in that same field. bus for want of brain and application, have made humiliatiag failures at every step. They are men of egotism, whose imperioas ways and overbearing conduct in the sphere of journalism have brought them into disFepute among the honest and per- sistent toilers, who alone mount the lad der Of fortune and fame. They began with the conviction that they could secure n month the prominence and honor which is the legitimate harvest of only an entire lifetime of indefatigable laborI and patience. They are narrow fellows, who have no faith in the honor of men l< or virtue of wo1nen-the creatures of |, ouny ambition and gian. jealousy-andll heir hves arc eventually ended in thela ,bseuxity of paaperism or the publicity f, ,f the scafold. Nature made noblemen I, ,f only her psrest and best materials, |, md among natare's noblemen, there are lone purer and better or greater bene- r. actors of their race, than those who dis 'ei the clouds of Encouragement in noble lomes, and shed the genial rays oft ldInoF upon breaking hearts and fevered ,row& <