Evening star., 1924-10-17
THIS AND THAT
BY G.. Z. TRACEWELL

| 1t Is all very we'll to tell children
| that reading in bed Is lazy habit.
You and I know better. We have
| arrived at years Of discretion, or are
| supposed to have achieved them. and
| we know that such reading Is one OF
| the real joys in life.
Like reading while we eat. reading
in bed is something the average man
will not admit to in public. although
| privately it may be his chief delight.
Secretly he holsters up the habit. to
| his own conscience, by recalling that
| Mark Twain and other famous men
indulged in 1t.
1t needs no props, however, but is
fully capable of standing on its own
| legs, or, rather, on the legs of the
bed whereon the reader takes his
rest. 1t is a habit every one might
indulge in with profit to his immortal
soul.
Many a stiff executive, bowed down
with the cares Of business, who feels
that "a crash would result IL he abb
sented himself from the Office for as
much as a single day. could let the
kinks out of his spine and his brain
at one and the same time if he would
take to reading in bed.
Many a lovely woman, harassed by
! cares of home and children, cease
lessly going about her round OF daily
duties, would benefit herself and the
rest Of the family if she would take
up this supposedly lazy habit.
+
"a man ought to read just as in
clination leads him." said old Samuel
Johnson.
That statement ought to be author
ity for most of us, if any is needed
for Indulgence in the most pleasant
habit of reading in bed.
1t has always seemed to me that
the fascination exerted upon man
kind by the real and undoubted vices
was due, partly, to the fact that
there are no official little vices.
If choice list of small vices had
been thundered at sufficiently adown
the ages, so that men would be drawn
to them by the strange alchemy of
protest, safety valves enough would
be provided.
Think of the hardy souls who
would give up drinking to excess if
suddenly it began to be bruited
abroad that excessive indulgence in
washing ones face in the morning
was a crime meriting Nationwide
prohibition.
Come on in, the water is fine"
classic American phrase, would take
on new and sinister meaning as
muscular fellows organized face
washing parties. Throughout the
land sudden and excessive drains
would be placed upon municipal
water systems.
Alarming reports of 'steen gallons
withdrawal from reservoirs would be
hurried to chief engineers, while
mayors. commissioners and others
burdened with the destinies of our
great cities would confer in national
conventions, at which there would
be a tremendous amount of speaking
as usual.
from great vice to a little vice, a
harmless little vice that would give
one a real .kick"-if the water were
cold-and at the same time make for
Righteousness, since cleanliness is
next-door neighbor to godliness.
Reading in bed. then, appeals as the
ultimate refinement in taking ons
ease, while placing the contents of
new book within the confines of ones
mind.
You remember what Addison said:
Reading is to the mind what eXer-
else is to the body. AS by the one
health is preserved, strengthened and
invigorated; by the other, virtue
(Which is the health of the mind) is
kept alive, cherished and confirmed" 5"
One may read. of course, in almost
any position. 1t is possible to read
standing up, as is provided for in
some Libraries, where books are