HEALTH AS A DUTY 



Middle-aged and elderly people ought to 

 have more fun^ play, diversion. Don't let 

 the "kids" monopolize these. Avail your- 

 self of all good incidental pastimes: games, 

 concerts, joking, light converse, novels. In 

 proportion as your work interests you there 

 is danger of protracting it too long at a 

 stretch. Change of work avails little. 

 There is but so much nerve energy in a man 

 at any time. Quit work and relax. 



Everyone also needs systematic, studied, 

 professional diversion an avocation. Be 

 an amateur expert at some craft other than 

 the one which earns you bread mountain- 

 climbing, golfing, boxing, rowing, hunting, 

 keeping bees, rearing horses, cattle or dogs. 

 Microscopy is a splendid avocation. Sys- 

 tematic reading is another. 



Best of all avocations, however, are the 

 various forms of art life and work. With- 

 out ever tempting to excess or suggesting 

 what is base, they round out, embellish and 

 enrich character and inspire devotees for 

 occupations which are more serious and 

 more immediately and obviously valuable. 



105 



