9 



the leading journals of the day daily, weekly, monthly or 

 quarterly is a movement in the same direction. A course of 

 Lyceum Lectures is sustained by many Rural Improvement 

 Associations, the profits of which are their "benefit " while the 

 social opportunities thus opened are clear gain. 



An annual festival under the direction of the Bural Im- 

 provement Association tends to deepen and sustain public 

 interest in its work. In some towns literary exercises, ad- 

 dresses, a poem, and music, fill the programme; in others a 

 collation becomes another bond of union and fellowship. In 

 the rigid, and sometimes frigid, state of rural life, too often found 

 in New England, we need to cultivate the social amenities and 

 learn the art of "turning work into play." The supposed 

 monotony and dullness of country life drive many to the city. 

 It is wise to multiply occasions for social enjoyment. The 

 arbor-day festival may help to counteract the tendency of rural 

 life to isolation and seclusion, lifting out of the ruts of a dull 

 plodding monotony, promoting neighborly feeling, and strength- 

 ening social ties. The rural laborers in Switzerland and Ger- 

 many socialize far more than American farmers. Their festive 

 spirit is a strongly-marked feature of their character. It is 

 manifested in the family, in neighborhood greetings and meet- 

 ings, in schools, in rifle feasts, in processions and various social 

 gatherings. They have a passion for nature, and love to fre- 

 quent their beautiful groves and gardens, for parks or woods 

 abound in or near their cities and towns. This genial spirit is 

 everywhere fostered by music both vocal and instrumental. 

 As a result, there is an inexpressible something in the German 

 character that carries mirthful and happy childhood into old 

 age, giving an added charm to social life, and lightness and 

 cheer to sober work. 



4. Another aim of these associations is the promotion of 

 public health by securing better hygienic conditions in the 

 homes of the people and in their surroundings. Some of our 

 country towns, naturally favorable to health and longevity, 

 have suffered fearfully from the ravages of diseases, evidently 

 caused by neglect of hygienic laws. In many towns much has 

 lately been done in the matter of drainage, removal of waste 

 and guarding wells and water supplies from impurities. 



