New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-16
4 NEJT PHASE or THE VACATION PROBLEM

Every year with the approach of summer, the
vacation problem presents itself for solution the
first warm day in the last of May. John Doe
remarks to Mrs. Doe THAT reminds me, my
dear. have you begun to think where we shall
90 this season p Knitting her brows a little,
Mrs Doe replies that she has given the matter
some thought but has been unable TO decide
between the mountains and the seashOre That IS
the familiar phase of the vacation problem.
But another and fully as difficult one has lately
presented itself One of the most eminent physl-
clans in the country has written an article earnestly
advising people not to return from their Vaca-
tion in September. He argues that the best time
to get back to town is October, and objects to
September on the ground that it is commonly
characterized by heat scarcely less intense than
that Of July, to which is superadded degree
of muggincss which is far in excess of any that
midsummer Afforded
The members of the Stay-at-Home Club can read
what the doctor says without concern. But 1t Is
calculated to throw those that indulge IN an
annual outing into a state of mind Ilenceforth
they will be compelled not only to puzzle their
heads with the old question where TO go. but with
this new onc-whcn, having gone, TO return Ana
the tendency Of such tomenting mental exercises
is to render vacation rather joylcss thing. Will
Pi''''S
focus their energies this winter this propo
sition: Resolved. that October is the best time in
the year to get back from somewhere. We in
Nitc the debating societies to do this because we
are curious to see if anybody dssents from the
opinion of the doctor in question. If it turns
cut that he is unanimously indorscd, why, then
Octohcr must forthwith take it's place in the
calendar as the return month and folks will
fhair
dead certain that able lisputants will eXclaim :
Fcow-ctizens, on no account come home in
October since the decaying vegetation of that
month breeds fevers; by all means proong your
vacation until the bracing winds Of November
blow And obviously, there can he no general
agreement on November, since whatever can be
said in lis favor. il is VIGOROUSLY the month OF
melancholy days. the saddest of the year. And,
~ course, December stands no chance Of being
named by acclamatiOn as the vacation-ending
month-one is 50 ant to take cold travelling in the
carly days Of winter. January VIII not do, since,
although il is q capital month to begin year
with, il can never become popular as a month in
which 10 return 10 Ncw-Yorl by reason of the
shocking condition of the streets during Janu-
any thaw February, being near the
hordcr-land Of spring, is not month whose
weather can be depended upon and therefore
the wise man changes not his base while 1t
lasts AIarch-wi some gentleman who was re-
turning home from his vacation on Blizzard Mon
day Of 1883 have the kindness to state what he
thinks Of March rs month to come back home
in? Aprl-hut if April finds one away on his
vacation lac scnSbly concludes that the summer is
so near that it is folly to think Of returning to
town And. Of course, what is true Of April is
even more true of May, June. July and August.
Dr. Hammond was doubtless inspired by the
most phianthropic of motives when he advised
AGAINST returning to town in September But it
j. 10 De feared that ne has added to the sum total
Of those complications which do so much TO
give roint to the pcssimstic query, Is vacation
worth taking?