OUR YOUNG MEN’S COLUMN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2277, 7 November 1891, Page 3

OUR YOUNG MEN’S COLUMN.

r ' [By Juvenis.]

--It is a remarkable fact., yet none the less -true, in the nature of man there is a craving —a desire —for that which is least attainable. He looks with envy upon his. neighbour's j privileges, and sighs within himself, "Oh •that they were mine ; what would I not do with them;" It is equally remarkable that when he, if he ever does, arrives at the time when he can command privileges, akin to his neighbours, the charm has vanished. " This is the state of man: To-day he puts forth The tender leaves of hope; tomorrow .-,/ blossoms And" bears his blushing honours thick upon "' him; The third day comes a frost, a killing frost." The young man with few privileges in life is the young man with the best privileges—if such a paradox can be understood —best for himself, provided he uses what he has aright But" there's the rub " ; a young man with few privileges very often neglects them while sighing for greater ones, which, in the nature of things are slow to come, Then there is a class of young men whose time is limited; who are through want of means, to work durrftg.the day and do what studying they can in the evenings. This class of young men usually abuse themselves. Having once tasted of the pleasures of literature and study; they become ravenous, and so overtax their brains that in the course ol j time their systems become so broken down that all power of enlurance and pliability . is forced out of them. Mr Stackpoool E. O'Dell, an eminent lecturer on subjects relating to the brain iri fact, a man who has given the brain his 'x special study, and delivers a lecture thereon weekly which lectures are known as " The Brompton Lectures " —speaks of brain rest thus: —" Man too often, in the excercise of free will, tramples upon the laws of nature fc be protests against sleep, rest, and recreation. The whole earth has its periods of rest, its months of quietude. "Where there is no absolute rest there is -change change is rest. I want to suggest to y»u more the desirability of change than absolute rest. Idleness is not much of so much benefit as change. I do not suggest the rest of idledess. As change of air is desirable, and change of food is of ten beneficial to the body, so is change of mental emplyoment to the mind. It would be a good thing if all who are • engaged at certain employment during the day wouldleaveall considarations connected with their employment behind them in their offices. While the preacher is eating his breakfast he is elaborating some good : point for his sermon; at the same time the lawyer is getting up his case; or the counsel is addressing the judge and jury ; or the journalist preparing his article; the : reviewer his review ; while every man who is possessed of a few hundreds or thousands ■if in public securities is in a state of anxiety about the money market columns. Thus there is but little rest given to the brain ; neither the rest of idleness, nor the rest of change." '