The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-31
Charles Darwin, the Great Scientist Whose
Discoveries Concerning Mans Evolution
Resulted from Satisfaction of the Play
Inn

Impulse.
Probably the most generally desirable single
method OF play or 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. I know q
great mathematician, OF the greatest that
this country has produced, whose chief relaxa-
tion now that physical infirmities 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
authority on polar exploration. His name has
become frequent one in the geography Of both
Inc ba Far North and of the Far South, and he has
+ahent 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, the habit has been
formed, fcdds to his efficiency and work. and
at the same time in itself affords for him at
least certain measure of relaxation and an
Increased interest in both his vocation and in
his avocation
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 MS study, and 1t has proven so interesting
that his Sundays and holidays are spent in a
similar manner. all without the loss OF an hour
from his business Another friend. whose bust
ness connections prevented his taking a yaca.
ton far from the city. similarly occupied him
self with the bird life about his suburban
moved to the city, he found the birds of Cen.
trail Park quite sufficient to pleasantly occupv
his spare time. Shortly his descriptions and
his photographs of this apparently narrow and
crcumscribed subject became so important
that the lesser matter OF business has como
to be replaced by his play which has contrib
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 as a relaxation or side line
Of has study An indifsrent theological student
deserted engineering problems for the discoy.
cry of the North Pole and for his invaluable
contributions to the geography Of the Far
North.
To be play of staying powers, one which
iasts, the game must possess something moro
than mere entertaining qualities One soon
tlres oil 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 contrihu
ton OF great men to mankind for all time.
me 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 ladies' furnishing store Boys who would
; rather roam the woods and ply the seven seas
room have produced men like Hornaday and
Daniel Beard. The love of the beautiful has
given us Raphael, Titan, Rembrandt and Robin
it 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 happy and most useful voca.
tion. The following of pleasurable ben. or
diversion on the part of a normal individual is
a tendency toward progress in the world, ard
the natural following out OF such an instinct
rarely leads 10 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 nero physical
health is incomplete and unsatisfactory
nj nS &c mot 70 P,lIa
avocations as callinss but as methods to an
end and not as In some Of the cases which I
value OF any drug or person method in this
age OF efficiency must be measured by tho re.
suits produced Let us recall then some OF tho
direct results of diversions in everyday life
Whether wo will or not must have diver.
slons, and ii these be deliberately chosen and
we'll cultivated they become as friends and
obedient servants; whereas. IL we allow them
to choose us or TO direct us, they become orr
masters and often detriment to true happi.
ness and progress. as exemplfed in aicohoiisn.
In the craze for gambling. in the cronic CROUCH,
the muck-raker or bilioussFeformsr
The benefits of relaxation are by no means
limited by what it gives to us in ITSELF even in
pleasure health and uplift After the plav
comes n return to work. with renewed mind
and refreshed body. Relaxation and play NAV
De wei looked upon rs preparation for work
ana they are to be claSsed In the same light as
sleep and food. None OF old sayings are
more true or pertinent than that "All work and
no play makes Jack dull boy" Play Is not
10 De looked upon as a luxury, but as a neces.
sity. and as such it's selection is indeed entitled
10 quite as much serious thought and careful
education as In the choice and preparation for
LIES most serious work