Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-11-10
FROM THE GOLDEN BOOKS.
On Spending Time AgreeabIy and Profit
ably.
[AddIson In the speetator.l

On Spending Time AgreeabIy and Profit
ably.
Addison in the SPECTATOR
II we divide the life of most men into
20 parts, we shall find that at least 10 of
them are mere gaps and chasms, which
are neither filed with pleasure or busi-
ness. 1 do not, however, include in this
calculation the life of those men who are
in a perpetual hurry of affairs, but Of
those only who are not always engaged
in scenes Of action; and / hope / shall
not do an unacceptable piece of service to
those persons II point out to them GER
tain methods for the filling up their empty
spaces Of life.
To advise the ignorant, relieve the
needy, comfort the afflicted, are duties
that fall in our way almost every day Of
our lives. A man has frequent opportuni
ties Of mitigating the fierceness of a party;
OF doing justice to the character of a de-
serving man; of softening the envious,
quieting the angry, and rectifying the
prejudiced which are all Of them en-
Payments suited to a reasonable nature.
When a man has but a little stock to
improve, and has opportunities of turn
ing it all to good account, what shall we
think of him If he suffers 10 parts Of 1t
goth to his ruin or disadvantage?
l think it very wonderful to see persons
Of the best sense passing away a dozen
hours together in shuffling and dividing u
pack of cards, with no other conversation
but what is made up of a few game
phrases, and no other ideas but those of
black or red spots arranged together in
different figures. Would not man laugh
to hear any one of this species complain
ing that life is short?
The stage might be made a perpetual
source of the most noble and useful enter
tainments, were it under proper regula-
ton.
But the mind never unbends itself so
agreeably as in the conversation Of a we'll
chosen friend. Next to such an inti-
macy one would endeavor after a more
general conversation with such as are able
to entertain and improve those with whom
they converse.
A man that has taste Of music, paint
ing, or architecture, is like one that has
another sense, when compared with such
as have no relish of those arts. The florist,
the planter, the gardener, the husband
man, when they are only as accomplish
ments to the man of fortune, are great
ICllGlS " a Guilty. me- oub Va Oh
diversions of life there is none SO
proper to fill up it's empty spaces as the
reading of useful and entertaining authors.
The hours of wise man are heightened
by his ideas, as those of a fool are by his
passions. The time of the one is long,
because he does not know what to dc
with it; so is that Of the other. because
he distinguishes every moment Of 1t with
useful or amusing thoughts.
How different is the view of past life
in the man who is grown old in knowledge
and wisdom, from that of him who is
grown old in ignorance and folly! The
latter is like the owner of a barren coun-
try, that fills his eye with the prospect OF
naked hills and plains, which produce
nothing either profitable or ornamental
the other beholds beautiful and spacious
landscape divided into delightful gardens
green meadows, fruitful fields, and car
scarce cast his eye on a single spot Of his
possessions that is not covered with some
beautiful plant or flower.