Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-06-07

harles Darwin, the Great Scientist, Whose
Discoveries Concerning Mans Evolution
Resulted from Satisfaction of the Play
Impulse.
Probably the most generally desirable single
method of play relaxation is reading. This
Is particularly true because the character of line
reading may be readily adapted to the particu-
lar likes or needs of the individual. know
great mathematician, one of the greatest that
this country has produced, whose chief relaxa-
ton, now that physical inf1rmities have cut on
his customary physical pleasures, is the read.
ing of detective stories. Another man, whose
excursions have barely led him beyond the
borders of New York. has made himself. by
reading during his few hours of relaxation. an
authority on polar exploration. His name has
become a frequent one in the geography of both
the Far North and of the Far South, and he has
been one of the greatest sources of encourage
ment to many intrepid men who have actually
carried out the field work Of these armchair
excursions. No matter what line OF work
man may do, reading, once the habit has been
formed adds to his efficiency and work. and
at the same time in itself affords for him at
least certain measure of relaxation and
increased interest in both his vocation and in
his avocation
Nature studies are possible for nearly every
man who has even few hours weekly to
spend out-of-doors. An acquaintance of mine,
business man, who COMMITTED for domestic
reasons. adopted the study of the bird life OF
the bay on his trips to and from Staten Island.
He has derived much pleasure and benefit
from his study, and 1t has proven so interesting
that his Sundays and holidays spent In
similar manner. all without the loss Of an hour
from his business. Another friend whose bust
ness connections prevented his taking vaca-
tion far from the city, similarly occupied him
self with the bird life about his suburban
home. When. during the Winter season. he
moved to the city he found the birds of Gem
trail Park quite sufficient to pleasantly occupy
his spare time. Shortly his descriptions and
his photographs of this apparently narrow and
circumscribed subject became so important
that the lesser matter of business has come
IN ha hV hia n xFvhi hos firth
uted much to the pleasure of all of US and to
real science.
So we might go on indefinitely Nearly all
the great geographical discoveries have been
made by men who first in their regular life
took up geography relaxation side line
of study An Indifferent theological student
has become vladimir Steffansen. Robert Peary
deserted engineering problems for the discov-
cry of the North Pole and for his invaluable
contributions to the geography Of the Far
North.
To be a play of staying powers one which
lasts, the game must possess something more
than mere entertaining qualities. One soon
tires OF such sport, and the relaxation which
really lasts and endures uplifts almost without
exception. Such is music, and more than infre-
quently this relaxation has become contribu.
ton of great men to mankind for all time.
The love of the open and of nature has given
the world Darwin and Huxley, who might per-
haps have otherwise been barkeepers or clerks
in a ladies' furnishing store. Boys who would
rather roam the woods and ply the seven seas
than confne themselves in the office school
room hava produced men like Hornaday and
Daniel Beard. The love of the beautiful has
given us Raphael, Titan, Rembrandt and Rodin,
II made soldier of Florence Michael Angelo.
The restless energy and love of the rougher
side of nature in Lieutenant Pike gave America
Minnesota. Wisconsin and Michigan, and the
desire for the thrills of adventure in Lewis,
Clarke and Fremont gave us the Great West.
In fact, there can be but little question that
the choice of an avocation leads not In
frequently to a happy and most useful yoca
tion. The following of pleasurable ben. or
diversion on the part of normal individual Is
tendency toward progress in the world, and
the natural following out OF such an instiEc!
rarely leads to anything other than good things.
happiness not only for the individual but for
man. Happiness is perhaps correctly defined
as mental health and without it mere physical
health Is incomplete and unsatisfactory.
For most of us. however, it is not to follow our
avocations callings. but as methods to an
end and not, as in some of the cases which
have mentioned, the great objective itself The
value of any drug or person or method in this
age OF efficiency must be measured by the re-
suits produced. Let US recall then some of the
direct results of diversions in everyday life.
Whether will or not must have diver.
sions. and If these be deliberately chosen and
wen cultivated they become friends and
obedient servants; whereas, If we allow them
to choose us or to direct us, they become our
masters and often detriment to true happt
ness and progress as exemplified In alcoholism,
In the craze for gambling. In the cronic Crouch.
the muckraker bilious reformer.
The benefits of relaxation are by no means
limited by what 1t gives to us in itself, even In
pleasure. health and uplift After the play
comes return to work, with renewed mind
and refreshed body. Relaxation and play may
be well looked upon as preparation for work
and they to be classed In the same light a.
sleep and food None OF our old sayings are
more true or pertinent than that "All work and
no play makes Jack dull boy" Play Ii not
to be looked upon as luxury, but as q neces.
sity, and such its selection is indeed entitled
to quite as much serious thought and careful
education as in the choice and preparation foe
iife's most serious work.