The record-union., 1898-07-10
THE REASON FOR VACATION.

Stated in it's most concise form, the
reason for vacation, change from the
usual routine of duty, or, better, com
piete cessation of daily tasks and pas
sage to restful recreation is, that con-
slant movement in the line of duty.
even when it is not severe and laborious.
exhaust vitality by the monotone Of
drain," as contemporary has phrased
it.
We, have found in the economy Of
school life that the vacation is a nee
essity for the growing child; that if he
is kept at his tasks without considera-
Die and rather frequent intervals of
rest from study he is injured physically
and mentally. The same consideration
IN fWiness does not apply to the adult
80 far as physical need is involved, but
it is the same so far as the mentality
is concerned
by common consent vacations are
most taken in the summer time be-
cause changes effected then are most
radical, and there is least demand for
home keeping because of climatic and
meteorological conditions, and for the
further and all prevailing reason that
In that season it is most pleasant to
rest and to effect change Of residence
temporarily.
But while confessing the absolute
need for change, for rest, and for rec
reauon for all persons, there is such a
thlng as making a fad and a craze of
IL. As rule change of air for week
Or TWO or better month, is a mater
lal addition to the period Of life, a re-
1uVenation Of the person so to speak.
and effects important and beneficial
changes in heal tn conditions and mental
Vigor. But all these things are de-
pendent upon how we spend our out
lngs. To too far extend our vacation.
TO pass suddenly from activity to ab-
soIute and effortless rest, are by no
means beneficial. On the contrary tba,,
are apt to be harmful changes.
The passage from active business or
work life 20 violent recreation and ex-
ertion in marching, climbing, bathing.
romping, etc, is even more harmful
and permits no restoration Of wasted
tissue, no toning up of the system. He
or she who profits most by vacation
ana outing Is the person who wisely
taxes the happy mean between sluggish
siothful and gluttonous idleness and
over exertion, violent exercise and men
tai or physical output of energy that
exhausts. We have known manv sari-
Gus cases Of physical injury to result
In those who of soft and unused rnus-
Gle have gone into the mountains 20
'he seaside or the retiracy of country
me- and there engaged in exercises
and tasks under the name of recreation
70 which they have been unused and
that called for expenditure Of vitality
that should have been husbanded
Ihere is still another reason for vaca-
uons-they bring us into contact with
peoples of other communities and lands
and the consequent attrition of minds
quickens our intellect, informs our un-
anu le0OS 10 broaden Oilr
views and augment our store of knowl-
edge. 1t is a good thing to be brought
Into mental contact with strangers he
cause it tends to keep us out of grooves
Change is good for us for still another
reason than the physical one namely.
to leave home for a time binds us faster
to 1t. Even the dearest companionship
may become irksome if not at all brok
en- or interrupted. So the daily duties
or the fairest spot on earth to us, NAV
and do become irksome, not from dis
like, but simply because of the unre-
Taxed strain and nervous and mental
exhaustion. On this subject our es-
teemed contemporary the Portland
'Oregonian" speaks so intelligently
that we do not refrain from quoting
quite fully:
There are cynics who sneer at this
growing habit of leaving home for the
GUNNER vacation as merely decree of
fashion. which folly-smitten folk feel
bound to obey. But those who look