THE ETHICS OF PIPE COLOURING.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 200, 30 November 1871, Page 7

THE ETHICS OF PIPE COLOURING.

There is a good deal to be said for colouring pipes as a moral exercise. If a man becomes a fanatical colouror of meerschaums, the worst result will be that he will perhaps smoke rather more than is good for him. His fate might have been incomparably worse, he might have taken to polemics or philanthrophy, and tried to do good. He might, that is, have spent his few moments in talking nonsense, or in demoralising the poor. Nay, be might have descended to be a member of Parliament, and have added to that torrent of talk which threatens to overwhelm us entirely. In short he might have taken up with any of the innumerable hobbies of the offensive variety which stalk rampant at out the country to the annoyance of quiet people. How much better the quiet pursuit we have indicated ! Indeed, a spread of the habit might effect a greal moral change throughout the country. If Mr. Gladstone, when he is about to make an imprudent speech, felt the importance of sifcHng down quietly for half an hour, and giving his mind to the colour of his pipe, how muck better chance he would have of securing some* useful second thoughts. He may be naid to use Homer for a similar purpose ; but, such stndies act as an irritant, whereas pipe colouring produces a far moro" healthy and sedative effect. The pprformer must be calm, contemplative, and philosophical. There a-o times for colouring meerchaums, as thero are times for thundering in senates ; and without a due mixture of purely harmless hobby, himting the world would be intolerable. Whether the pipe-colouring should bo the special pursuit selected must depend upon tlie idiosyncrasies of the particular subject ; but the choice of some such amusement may be strongly recommended to the attention of all those restless, uncomfortable people who donot understand the supreme importance of doing nothing. The pleasure taken in such an arbitrary pursuit, shows how easily the habit of attending to trifles may be encouraged by, judicious practice, and an absorbing" amusement created by way of contrast to the wearisome discharge of. solemn duties.