Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1891-04-24
THE HOME CORNFp

kDffED M 5. n a

S'y sd
about the preudicial effects Of orr,
in using up the powers
and cutting short his life, that it ma
hastily assumed by some that wo-L;.,.
is opposed to length Of DAYS. n
however, is n very fatal mistake W
ever may be proved concerning III,
paratiye tendencies OF different rr-,
ments to shorten life, 1t will alw,r.
found that a life of idleness will sr-,
them all. The faculties ofmap-ps.5.,
not abused-serve not only to bep.s, q,
world, but even more, to benefit b;-r,.,
His health, happiness, and length ., r..
depend largely upon the regular, st,,s
and full mot excessively employmen, =,
his powers. He who neglects thu, IT,,
and suffers them TO run to waste l.,d.-
an aimless and vacant life, will reap ii.
penalty quite as much in his own iu,,-;,
condition, physical and mental 4, :.
any external loss he may sustain.
A recent writer. speaking ofthe DOSES,
ion of genius, as regards length Of IL.
says Many great men and rcmarIaLl.
women have reached what is common,
called a good old age, but none Of ,b,n
have succeeded the general bound. ,ra
turned or even reached their century !,
these cases, the fiery spirit soon work,
through the fleshly case. go Auo,b.-
instructive fact is that the long liver, Ar.
usually those who maintain intcllec,u,
activity and hard work to the las,
These two facts are quito suggestiv.
They go to show that while an EXTERN.
intensity, especially in one direction, NAV
prematurely wear out the physical svs.
TEN, activity and labor, steadily pursued
tend to prolong it. Intensity Of Other
kinds, besides that of genius. will hav.
the same influence. The man Of violent
temper, Of uncontrolled passions. OF IT,
multuous feelings, whose life is one Of
continual excitement, will rarely, if ever.
live to n great age. Neither will one who
is consumed with eager desire ofanv kind.
1t may be for wealth or fame for himself
it may be for n scheme of reforming his
fellow men, or for remodelling govern
ment; if it 50 possess him as to carry
him of his balance and DESTROY his SELF
control continuously the measure Of
his life will be shortened But in such
cases, though much spasmodic work is
involved, it is not the labor but the excite.
ment of feeling which does the mischd.
We're the habit of sclf.government estab
lished, were the enthusiasms guided By
reason and the desires subordinated to
prudence and good sense, the actual Ia.
Dor performed and effects produced
might be even greater than they ar
without any evil results ensuing uponthe
health or life. A busy life, with good
principles. strong purposes and wisdom
enough to secure fair cultivation Of the
different sides of the nature. is one Of the
most important factors for securing a
ripe and happy old age.
As for the idea which some people en-
terrain of earning idleneSs-that is, Of
working far too hard in one narrow
groove for n series Of years that they may
have the delight of working no more for
the rest OF their lives-it is absolutely
confuted by all experience. 1t has bcen
tired repeatedly with the same result
The sudden change from too close and
monotonous work to none at all is inva-
riably disastrous, and many lives have
been shortened in consequence. 1t IS, In
deed, an excellent proof OF the profitable
way in which work has been performed
that instead Of being exhausted and worn,
the worker is able to continue it, with
unimpaircd power, to old age. Especi'
ally is this true of mental labor. Even
when the physical frame is enfeebled by
years, the mind is often as fresh, bright
and useful as in former times. Some Of
the finest poets, and some of England
best statesmen are instances OF this
For work to be thus the promoter o.
hong and valuable life, we must know
how to perform it, and within what
limits. Like everything else we must use
without abusing it. Moderation is on
of the most important elements in al
value. When we carry good thing te
excess it becomes an evil, and work l'nC
exception. Overwork which exhause
the frame, depresses the spirits and I'm
pairs the powers, is as much an in)ur!
and moral wrong rs idlencss, and bott
tend to premature decay. It's the SAINT
with work that is continuously dlstaSte
full and compulsory, and with work whlcl
is performed in a slovenly and inieno
manner. Unless it is we'll and willlngi!
done, it never carries with it that salts
faction and contentment which are essen
tial to long life.
Work, however, often has to bear TIKI
stigma which rightly belongs to othe
things. This has frequently been the cas-
in the higher education of women. Pe'
sons opposed to it will pick out instance
where pupils have broken down undo
| ,.,hot .. coiInJ tI,a tnc heayy strain OF