, 1889-09-28
THE IDEA.
Its Growth Certainly Resulting in a Bet
ter Race of Americans.

ter Race of Americans
Ii spite of the assertions of pessimists
there are some things we do better than
our fathers. One Of these is the habit of
taking a vacation from the monotonous
round OF every day duties. 1t was al
old time proverb maker who said, "An
work and no play makes Jack a dull
boy" but it was reserved for the present
generation to act as though it believed
the proverb TO be true.
There are a hundred ways in which
this tendency TO take life easier and not
too seriously is shown School vacations
are longer. there are more holidays; in
creasing interest is shown in all kinds of
athletic sports, and public sentiment has
come TO be SO potent in this direction
that the right of employees to a longer or
shorter vacation is conceded by employ
ers in nearly every line of business.
What was once the privilege of the
well to do only is now exercised by the
clerk and mechanic. The vacations Of
the latter are not as long as those of
their wealthy employers, but their rights
to a vacation and the necessity for one
is quite as freely conceded. Indeed, 80
potent n force has this idea acquired in
our day that it has begun to shape the
dispensation Of our charities. Fresh air
funds and country week associations are
being established in all populous centers
to assist those to a summer outing who
cannot afford TO take one themselves.
1t is true the vacation principle is not
as wisely applied as it might be. Too
many people take fashionable or profess
sional vacations instead of natural and
restful ones. They go where the other
members of their set or circle go and do
the things they do, when in most in
stances they would secure far more bere-
fit by going to some other place and doing
something quite different. But any sort
of vacation that is not accompanied by
downright dissipation is better than no
vacation and will prove more or less
beneficial. All methods of spending the
summer outing involve the relaxing of
the bent bow and the change of occupa-
ton which give rest TO the o~verstrained
faculties.
The impulse TO take a rest from the
monotonous treadmill life which most
mortals are compelled to lead being a
natural one, people should study how to
take it in the most natural manner. In
nothing should the conventional dictates
of fashion be so little headed. The bent
and instinct of each individual should be
followed, in order that the mental facul-
ties may be naturally and pleasantly en-
ployed during the vacation. Those who
are fond OF fishing should fish; those
who love mountain climbing should in
dulge their inclination; those who are
fond of sea bathing should go TO the sea-
shore, and those who want to enjoy q
few days or weeks of unauthorized lazi-
ness should seek the quiet, out of the
way place they can find for the purpose.
In this respect there is wide room for
improvement, and when men and wo-
men learn to be natural, instead of CON
ventional, they will get the most, instead
of the least, out Of their summer vaca-
ton.
The growing recognition of the need
of a vacation from work is a healthy
sign, ever If the principle is not always
as wisely applied as it might be. 1t
shows not only that most people con-
slider life worth living, but that they are
gradually learning how to get the most
out of it.-Philadelphia Times.