Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1918-11-22
HOURS FOR SLEEP
Bed Should Surely Claim One
Third Of Persons Life.
Not Much Difference as TO What Par
tleular Portion Of the Night 10
Devoted 10 slumber, but
Grab on Enough.

Devoted 10 sumber, but
Grab on Enough.
For long time and in the majority
OF places In this country II has been
the habit 10 stay up late At night, and
In some places the early morning hours
have not been given much attention.
OF course this refers principally to the
larger towns and cities, and while there
would Of necessity be some people get.
ting 10 work at seven o'clock the aver
age man or woman coming along at
eight or even later would find things
stu In the clc0nlngnp and Opening.up
stage Sunrise, on the mountains or at
sen or In the rural districts, Is an event
worthy Of attention and well rewards
the early riser with It's beauty and sig
niflc0nce, but the early riser In the
town or city has usually found every.
thing untIdy and must step over ash
cans and dodge the sweepers and be
satisfied with the sleepy grunts Of work.
men who are getting things into shape
for the business Of the day. II Is any
thing but picturesque and Is most un-
attractive,
Whoever II was who discovered sleep
decided that at least one-thlrd Of n
persons life was properly spent in bed,
and therefore, when the crowd stops
up until midnight, II Is healthy and wise
10 remain under cover, or ANYWAY on
the pillows, until eight o'clock. The
dancer or cardplayer Certainly we
mean bridge and other perfectly prop
er games), lingering for the last one
step or the final hand, until one o'clock,
should not be disturbed until nine. And
so on, according TO the accepted plan
of health and happiness But taking
the other side Of the argument-Or
rather, reversing the programmed the
average person retire ut ten o'clock
and rise at six.
Probably whole lot Of people will
grumble at the schedule suggested, and
we don't pretend to say that II must be
done, We haven't been appointed sleep
director yet, nor yet given the right to
wake people up at certain hour. A
great deal has been done, however, in
the last year that tends TO Il more rea-
sOnable sleeping and waking scheme.
Through the winter and early spring
two nights each week were allowed linn
tied lighting only, This was calculated
TO send the people home earlier than
usual. and served to keep some folks
at home after dinner or supper, accord
ing 10 the designation of the evening
meal, A great amount Of fuel was
saved, according to report, and up to
date no damage has been reported to
business society or individuals.
The stores are closing early and the
tendency seem to be for an early re-
tlrement generally. In Miami they are
trying out a curfew-but il isn't q
real curfew. 1t only refers to young
folks under certain age, and it won't
amount to great deal. The English
that sauce should be pro-
vided Of suitable strength for both the
gander and the goose, and In England
the curfew law closes all places of
and all business enterprises
at certain reasonable time. Parents
are expected to take care Of their young
daughters and sons and themselves.
The theaters and concert halls, restau-
rants and dance halls and recreation
generally plan their pro-
grams to begin early and end in time
Tor their patrons to get home consid-
erably before midnight. There is no
penalty for rising early in London or
elsewhere, and the population, now
very generally retiring about ten
o'clock, is likely 80 per cent up at
|. IN. A very large per cent is certainly
Up at five o'clock and many at four,
md some earlier.
The eight hours mentioned is not
'igid rule Of health or really beneficial
o everybody. That 1t is enough for
No per cent Of the population Of this
COUNTRY is certain and thousands and
can live happily, beautifully
nd profitably with q smaller average
# sleep. A few really need more than I
light hours. Thomas A. Edison has
een quoted as saying that four hours 1
leep was sufficient-for him. Perhaps
e said it, and possibly that is enough
or some men at some period of their
ives. The great big majority need {
lore than four hours, and also can do
cry well with eight. 1t is then evil {
ent that by going to bed as early as
en- O'Clock and rising at six the work I
r will have whole lot of morning