THE ART OF LEISUTE.

Otaki Mail, 3 April 1922, Page 4

THE ART OF LE ISUTE.

An Irish gentleman ol the old school may well he imagined to exclaim, "The only way in which a man may enjoy leisure is by working ail the time.” The truth uT this view is , only too apparent, especially in the ' case of the retired tanner. What are itis resources? The morning paper, die domestic firing, the fowl-run, the garden. These may lid a coupie of

hours. The afternoon and the long evening, what of these? lie knows no game, and his opportunities for literary joys were never cultivated, rise | benefits and delights of well-directed friendly converse with his all too I willing neighbours are denied him, I because its and his good wile ate socially shy. He may seek solace in a friendly pewter ai the village inn, the stained lingers and I lie slow poison I of the cigarette, or the endless ejjain of crib and euchre with a greasy pack. He is not body weary and soul-re-freshed by his wonted foil; and worse, he still stokes the boiler foi !)is easyjob, as he did when the engine was under the pressure of a full head of

steam. Naturally, he cannot sleep: and when nature insists, he dreams 61 war, domestic, financial and political. Then the inevitable disease, ami eventual surcease from seif-indicted suffering. The woman is ever in better case, for she must be his minister through all this. .She 'sews or knits incessantly-, happily, perhaps. Hie finds a neighbour’s baby; or mayhap she feeis an intellectual joy in the scrubbing brush- V» here then is the remedy lor this intolerable thing, which may well provoke the tolerant smile of a Maori or a blackfeito*-'

This generation must be satisfied with the picture- show; but what of the coining race of our own boys and girls? .Would we leave them to this all-British form of entertainment:’ No! Let the intelligent minister and committee, elector and parent, see to it that the true art of a full life is imparted to every child—handicraft, literature, science, music, discussion, and the things that make up our life. Not only the technique, but the very love of them—these are the things lacking in our fecliool of Life. Palmerston Times.