START A HOBBY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1143, 6 September 1913, Page 4

START A HOBBY.

l have come to the. conclusion, says a writer in a magazine, that the happiest possession in the world is a hobby. I do not moan a poor over-ridden, overworked, over-done hobby, but one that is ready for riding when the owner desires to mount. JPor many years past I have amused myself with watching the ways of people who, by the passage of time, arc called elderly. What contrasts there are between those who take a real life interest in some hobby,

were, and those who have always demanded their pleasures from other people, -and -so lost the joyous knack of making their own happiness. If I had my way, I would make it compulsory fop every hoy and girl to bo taught the value of having a hobby. Something simple and entirely inexpensive it might be; perhaps something, the results of which they could share with other folk; but, anyway, a hobby that would occupy their minds and their hands for a while each day. The younger we are in reason, the better we shall learn to ride a hobby, and it may be while we have youth and' health and strength we shall not realise how much a hobby means to us. But when weakness chains ns to the house, when the years pile their weight upon us, when ordinary occupations are denied us, when friends are growing fewer; it is then that we leant the blessing of having a hobby that wo can turn to for employment and solace. I have an idea—based upon observation—that the only genuine elixir of youth is a hobby. How can a person be called old who feels young and interested, ami eager to learn?