The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-05-17
COUNTRY AND CITY MILES.
Reasons why One seems to the Pedestrian
Much Larger Than the Other.

II have observed curious thing
about distances" said a thoughtful
citizen yesterday, land have heard
many persons comment on the same
thing. but I have never seen any salts
factory explanation of it. In fact, l
suppose nearly every person who has
had an opportunity to contrast condi-
tions as they exist in cities with the
more open conditions in rural sections
has observed the same thing. At any
rate, most men are inclined to regard
the city mile as somewhat shorrer than
the country mile. or course, there are
many things which will suggest them
selves in explanation of this matter, IL
we think about it seriously, and vet
they are not at all satisfactory when
we weigh the problem analyticaIly.
Suppose we walk the distance.
Along the line of the city mile we find
many things which viii crowd into
the mind. pictures along the way,
pretty trade displays in show windows.
handsome buildings, men and women
bustling hither and thither, and a thou
sand and. one other things common
enough on the city thor0ughfares,
things which produce series of
psychological effects which deaden to
some extent the idea of distance, and,
consequently, the city mile is seeming
lily shortened. On the other hand, the
country mile, to the average person
who has no taste for the artistic and
can see no beauty in the ruggedness
If the hedges, Is simply long and
barren stretch. But thus far ! am
I;hreshing over old straw. This is the
common view of the matter, and no
loubt these psychological processes
,lay an important part in determining
he impressions received with reference
1 to distances under the different con-
litions assumed
"But here is the particular thing
would like to call your attention to-
rhe city mile will be made in much
less time than the country mile. Az
| rule, a man will walk a mile in the
city in two-thirds of the time 1t viii
take him to walk mile IN the country
| ordinarily it would seem that the snoe
would be on the other foot. There Is
much to arrest his attention, TO stoI
lafm and to consume his time. In the
country the way is clear and there u
nothing for q man 10 do put hustie
for his destination. OF course, the
walking is better in the city because
Of good sidewalks and the lift OF the
feet is not so. heavy. But the mali
reason for the shorter time required
lin my opinion, is found in the stimulus
which the city pedestrian receives from
the excitement around him. Every
body is going at breakneck speed
Everybody is hustling. There Is nois'
and hustle, and in spite Of the fact tina
Ibis attention is arrested, and in spit
Of being bumped and jostled about BY
men and women going. in opposite al
rections, in spite of delays at crossings
caused by passing ears and vehicles o.
every kind. the pedestrian Is WORKED
up to quicker movement.
| Excitement is the thing that dead
ems the idea of distance and makes
seem SO much shorter In the city thai
lin the country, and excitement is tn
thing which causes man to walk
mile in the city in just two-thirds O.
the time required to walk the same dis
lance in the country. and the difference
between a dirt road and paved stree
for walking purposes has but little t
40 with it."-New Orleans Times-Dem
,crat-