Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1886-02-12
ACTIVITY AND HAPPINESS.
The Relation Which tho Former Bears to
the Latter.

The Relation Which the Former Bears to
the Latter.
Dr. Adam Clarke once remarked
that the secret of happiness is never to
suffer your energies to stagnate. The
remark was wise. There is far more
happiness in activity than idleness.
The latter leads to the stagnation of all
the qualities of our nature. There is a
vast amount of misery in the world.
the result of idleness. Perhaps the
most unfortunate necessity that can
befall one, is that of inactivity. Few
can endure 1t, without the depreciation
OF every quality in their nature. Wo-
men who idly spend days and weeks in
the quiet of home, with not enough to
do to keep the brain alive, or the body
healthy, are apt TO suffer and grow
feeble. Indeed, the great cause of i'll
health among American women is idle
ness. 1t is our pride that we put away
the necessity for our women to work.
So far as slavish, degrading work is
concerned, it is well. But enough to
do to keep them healthy is better.
European countries show us the op-
posite eXtreme-of women tillino fields
and doing hard manual labor. But
physically they are examples of sturdy
strength. Unfortunately the intellect
IS not cultivated, nor is refinement adj
vanced. But the hard life of physical
labor proves its healthfulness In our
country the ladies, who are above the
necessity of labor, are awaking to the
fact that the domestic duties are not
necessarily drudgery. Art enters into
the preparation of food. The cookery
schools in this city and New York are
patronized by ladies who move in the
best society. And they are learning
that to deftness in preparing food may
be added art. that is as real an art
as painting or sculpture. And this ele-
Vatlon OF domestic duties into the realm
OF art is means of attracting ladies to
healthful activity. And such a course.
II it shall become really popular, will
60 far toward rendering the health and
happiness of all complete.
1t Is quite noticeable that men who
have pushed through tangled difficult
ties and attained success rarely care TO
fall back, even in advanced years, into
absolute idleness. They may soften
down the cares of business. but will
not abandon them entirely Such men
go through the gradations of age best.
A youthful old man is, as rule. an
active man. His very enjoyment is in
mental and physical activity. The live
man has wider reaches Of enjoyment
than the one whose faculties ar6 shut
up in Incidence. His mind reaches
farther and is more alert. No doubt
the keenness of enjoyment is greatef
now than in early times, for the range
of observation is greater. Men now
glance over the world as they read
their morning paper at the breakfast
table. In other days the village or
town covered the range of vision.
Activity Is an expression of health,
and this Is essential to happiness. Idle
ness is not the natural tendency OF a
thoroughly healthful Organization. The
restiess 1actiEity of s6hild Is proof of
this Its eager eyes dart and its rest
less hands are laid on everything with
IN its reach. ALI this is the result of
healthtul vigor that can not rest, and 5
all SUCH activity Is only the normal ex-
preston of the eagerness of nature.
And this expression is happiness. Its
repression creates a restless, uneasy
feeling, which Is natures femonstrancs
against s.fo.ss :. .,1sss Thus labor is not "a
burthen, rightly ngaeed in. We NAV
make it . bhrthen by being its slaves.
But we may compel It 20 Contribute to
our happiness by throwing around If
the glory of healthful Inspiration.
The Choice is largely with ourselves.
There are those who labor because they
have learned TO love it, and there are
others who are its slaves. We can
make choice of either, and as we
choose so shall our lot be.-P philadelphia
n0y