Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-11-30
PLEASURE AND COST.


Among the most common associations
Of ideas we find that of money and
pleasure. When we consider some pro-
posed enjoyment the mind naturally
turns to the question of its cost Can
afford it," is the almost invariable in
ouiry of the upright man, and upon its
answer he is very apt to base either
j glad acceptance or an enforced re-
linouishment. This thought. commenda-
bic in itself has vet tendency to con-
meet in far too strong ties the notlonS
Of cost and pleasure. We come to
estimate the latter by the former. to
expect them to be always proportion
ate to think that the richer a man be-
comes; the more pleasure he can ENJOY.
and that If he he poor he must resign
i; altogether There Is great fallacy
in this idea. which it is well worth our
while to discover.
There are many elements which go to
make ND pleasure of which it's cost in
money is only one. at any time. never
the most important one. and often alb
sent altogether. One of these elements,
and a much more potent one than the
money value. is rarity. Most pleasures
have tendency to pail by frequent re-
currencr. The mere consciousness that
we can have them at any time sub
tracts materially from their value. He
who. for example. tastes dainty oc-
casionally has a keen pleasure in its
flavor quite unknown to the Inan who
can have il on his table every day, IL
be will. The same is true of the drive.
the excursion. the theatre. the trip
abroad and many other arlusements.
One who has small or moderate means
and can afford them but seldom has
an actual advantage in the pleasure
they give him over his richer neighbor.
who can command them whenever he
wishes. The former anticipates them
with a zest, and enjoys them with
relish which the latter has lost for
ever.
Another essential to pleasure Is its
fitness to the individual. What is de-
lightful to one man will be Indifferent
to another. and distasteful to a third
The lover of music is thrilled with de-
light by the delicate instrument or the
fine voice or the full orchetra. all of
which simply bore his neighbor. whose
ear is not attuned to harmony. The
boat which is an alurement to one is
terror to another. The social party
or the dance, which rejoices the maid
en-. is irksome to her parents The
sport which invigorates one repels
another. And all this has actually
nothing to do with the cost of the
amusement. Unless there is responsive
chord in the individual the most ex-
pensive setting will fail to give him
pleasure.
BY far the larger number of the
pleasures Of life are now procura bic
at trihing cost The electric car or
the steamboat for a few coins takes
whole families into the heart of nature
where lake and meadow, forest and
hills. and the vast ocean itself spread
for them the same feast of glory and
nf beauty which enchant the monarch
or the millionaire. Pictures and music,
museums and exhibitions as fine as
money and talent can procure are open
| 10 all AT nominal sum. Lectures on
| many different subjects. books. maya :
| zines and newspapers are as availa bic
| to the man of moderate means as to
the wealthiest To make any of these
| things pleasurable. it is true. the power
| to enjoy them must be present: but
while such a faculty may be cultivated.
! it can never be bought. nor is it by any
| means restricted 10 fortunes favorites.
| Indeed, it may reasonably be doubted
whether the pleasures which are pur-
| chasable only by riches are not fewer
| in number and less keenly appreciated
than those which require no such price.
Mr.. Lecky in his Map of Life" says
The value of money as an element
| OF happiness diminishes rapidly in
proportion to its amount. In the case
| OF the humber fortunes, each Access
sion brings with it a large increase of
pleasure and comfort. and probably a
| very considerable addition to real
| happiness. In the case of rich men
this is not the case. and of colossal
fortunes only very small fraction can
he truly said TO minister to the per-