The Indianapolis journal., 1888-07-22
AS TO VACATIONS.

Although ''going away for the summer"
has long been fashionable and summer vaca-
tions have become customary among nearly all
classes of people. great many persons yet re.
main who do not leave their homes or bust
ness from years end to years end. These
stay-at-homes are not always such from inci-
nation; usually they would prefer to indulge
in the annual outing with their neighbors,
but necessity, or fancied necessity, which is
the same in effect, chains them to the daily
round of duties. To all appearances, they
suffer neither in health nor strength by this
lack of rest and recreation, and are apt to
plume themselves upon their physical
stamina. In the course of time, however, the
monotony Of their lives tells in loss of
spirits breaking down Of nervous force; and
rest. often prolonged and sometimes useless
because too late, must be taken regardless of
convenience. Whether it is better to wait
until such breakdown occurs, or to ward it off
by proper care of soul and body, are
questions to which there can be but
one answer. And it is the mind
rather than the body which, in mofs
cases, needs the greater attention. People,
however confning their occupations, are not
apt to overwork themselves physically; sum-
mer vacations are not so much needed to give
- - 20 fbo iroI hvoip
change of scene or occupation is required to
give new turn to thoughts that have been
too much in one groove. More farmers wives
are found in insane asylums than any other
one class; but the deadly monotony of their
lives does more to drive them demented than
the cooking, the milking, the churning, and
other household labors, arduous though these
be. Variety of interests is what the human
being needs to keep him in wholesome men
tai, moral and physical condition. Like the
siesta, which the natives of southern coun-
tries take at MONDAY, midsummer seems the
fitting time for rest from regular pursuits.
II the months vacation is not possible. how.
ever, and even week not to be thought of,
the ''day of, )" or even the half day is not to
be despised, and should be insisted upon. In
deed, if taken often throughout the year. the
days outing is probably of greater hygienic
value than the longer period. The first and
last requisite to making the day profitable is
to spend it as the taste inclines-always sup
posing that it doesn't incline to break the
commandments, and that it leads to some
thing entirely outside the usual routine. Go
fishing, if you like that. Go and see
game of base ball-this advice NAV
seem superfuous, but, strange as it
may appear, men and women do
exist who have never seen the national game
in all its glory, and need urging before they
will CO. Go to the woods. far from the mad
ding crowd. if your fancy leads, and study
the beauties Of nature; If you are gregarious
call on your neglected neighbors. or visit the
town ten miles away that you have always
heard of but have never seen. Don't visit
your cousins in town or out; they don't want
to see you in warm weather. Stay at home
and get acquainted with the baby; or II you
happen to be the babys mother, leave the in.
FAINT to its paternal ancestor and fate fol the
day. Ii nothing better offers STAY a. home
and Sleep You might do worse. Give -'~r.
self, in short, change of occupation ..e-
thing new to think of, once week or. sy
getting out of the rut, aad so far as your OH
joyment and welfare are concerned it will not
matter greatly whether OF not you join in the
yearly pilgrimage to The seashore, the mount
aims or Maxim kuckee.