Year: 1870

Labor a Source Of Pleasure.


Our every day labor should be


a source of pleasure as we'll "as a


means" Of support and profit.


Science lights her torch to show


us how to make hard work easy.


The elements have been caught


and tanned, and taught, how to do


much of the work which used to


exhaust our vital energy and unfit


us for enjoyment. The poor who


depend upon their daily toll for


their daily bread, have here a


chance to choose their occupations,


and are not generally forced into
labor unsuited to their taste The
very tools with which they works
seem to be endowed with intelfi-
gcnce, as though the sense of the
inventor had impregnated their in:
struments Of industry. Some Of
the machinery recently exhibited
at the Fair Of the American In
stitute, seemed to.know more than
some Of the persons who voted at
the late election. We have ma
chinery for turning cranks, lifting


burdens, spinning silk and yarn
and cotton, weaving fabrics and
carrying freight. The lever Of Ia
Dor resting on the fulcrum of CON-
mon sense, is lifting the world to
o higher plane Of civilization and
culture.


The wind which shook the sailor
boy from the mast, and then rat
tied at the blinds to wake the
maiden from her dreams, that he
might shrek in her ears the story
OF her sweet hearts death, is now
subject to the command of man,
not only in blowing clouds Of can
vass from sea to Sea, but rs a do
mestic, servant. The waterfall
(not the one approved by fashion,
is useful as an aid to labor. since it


hammers iron, planes wood, wea-
YES carpets, and grinds the corn.
But these elements were harnessed
to machinery long ago. They are
considered q slow team at the
present time. Now the lightning
must obey the orders of man, and
run or fly Of errands like Mercury


winged heels. It hastens with
feet Of fire over the narrow bridge,
in and under the sea, and flies from
"pole TO pole" Electricity and
steam are shortening the hours of
labor, and affording leisure for rec
reation and intellectual improve
meht. Man is progressive being
and he needs time for thought and
mental rest, that he may rise TO a
lofticr round on the ladder of i'm
proyement. The more progress
we make, the greater will be our
capacity for enjoyment, and the
more abundant our resources of
happiness. The microscope and
the telescope are new eyes which
science has added to the sense of
sight. The time may come when
all the senses will be assisted in a
greater or less degree. The higher
the calling Of man, the more
thought it requires to execute it,
and the greater will be his oppor-
tunities for intellectual develop
mcnt and growth. The man who
carries the hod, if he keeps tho
bricks out Of his hat, may rise in
the world as well as on the ladder
which lifts him to the scafolding.
The farmer who follows the plow.
if he has a philosophic turn Of
mind, will be local king over his
estate, and the focks and herds
under his sway will come at the
call of his voice, and there sportive
capers will add to his happiness.
The great Daniel Webster when at
his farm in Marsbfcld, used to rise
at break Of day, and filling his
arms with corn, go out into the
meadows to meet his oxen and
feed them, and it was a source of
happiness to him to look into their
calm eyes and witness their play
full antics. The farmer who thinks
at his task, will in double sense
go to the roots Of things. Nature
will delight him with outdoor con-
certs. The song of birds, the low
buzz Of the bees, the soft whispers
of the leaves, the liquid touches
ftbe rain, the lofty notes Of the !
storm, the pathos of the wailing !
wind, the crashing thunder winged |
with lightning, the starry fakes
Of the snow falling in silence, the
artists Of the air engraving beauti-
full designs on the white sheet
which covers vale and hill, all arc
sources of exquisite delight to the
thoughtful man Of culture, and !
there are many such who follow
the plow. Men who read and
think, especially those who organ
izc and instruct society, find some
thing higher and better than mere
work in the performance of their
task. They do not consider it a
misfortune that man should earn
his bread before he eats it. They
do not regard labor as a curse. |
They know that health ofbody and I
e .,,..A