1887.] NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 131 



mere machines, to be used, and thrown aside Avhen they are worn 

 out. A weekly half-holiday has been granted within a few years, 

 willingly by some, grudgingly by others, but the firms or cor- 

 porations that give more than a week in summer to their hard- 

 worked employees are exceptions to the general rule. 



The working man, the working woman, the cashier, the clerk, 

 all need proper periods of rest, as much as the director of a com- 

 pany, the proprietor of a manufactory, the president of a bank 

 or of an insurance company. If these matters were better reg- 

 ulated we should hear less of the complaints of labor. Until they 

 are better regulated, there can be no harmony of interest between 

 the employer and employee. No one can be excused for not 

 wishing to work, and no one can be blamed for complaining if 

 he be over- worked. 



Though all cannot perform the same parts in the work of 

 social life, all should have their full rights and shares in social 

 benefits, if they are faithful workers. Among those rights, none 

 is more sacred and unalienable than the right to a fair proportion 

 of time for rest and recreation after fatiguing labor. When this 

 is granted, what matters it whether one works with his brain, 

 another with his hands ? 



' ' Life's work is long, 



Life's day is short; 



But if each day we toil aright, 



Sweet is the sound of evening song 



That ushers in the night." 



The President subsequently spoke upon the subject of the 

 paper. 



March 21, IBS?. 



STATED MEETING. 



The President, Dr. J. S. Neavberry, in the chair. 



A large audience present in the East Lecture Room of the 

 Library Building, Columbia College. 



The third lecture of the popular lecture course was delivered 

 by Gen. Henry L. Abbott on 



